Breathable Residual-Limb Socket System

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023157851-A1
Application number	US-202217993303-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 23, 2022
Priority date	Jul 10, 2017
Publication date	May 25, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

Breathable residual-limb system that admits air and allows sweat to evaporate from the surface of the residual limb. In an embodiment, the system comprises a liner sock to be worn on the residual limb, and comprising air-permeable textile forming a substantially cylindrical portion that is closed on a distal end and open on a proximal end and comprising an internal surface and an external surface. The liner sock further comprises a friction-interface material that covers only a portion of the internal surface of the air-permeable textile, such that, when worn on the residual limb, the friction-interface material contacts a surface of the residual limb, and an uncovered portion of the air-permeable textile which the friction-interface material does not cover allows air to pass between an external environment of the liner sock and the surface of the residual limb.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for use on a residual limb, the system comprising:
a liner sock configured to be worn on and contact the residual limb, the liner sock comprising:
air-permeable textile forming a substantially cylindrical portion that is closed on a distal end and open on a proximal end and comprising an internal surface and an external surface; and
a friction-interface material that covers only a portion of the internal surface of the air-permeable textile, wherein the friction-interface material defines an inner surface of the liner sock such that, when worn on the residual limb, the friction-interface material directly contacts a surface of the residual limb, and an uncovered portion of the air-permeable textile which the friction-interface material does not cover allows air to pass between an external environment of the liner sock and the surface of the residual limb, wherein the friction-interface material comprises a plurality of strips that are spaced from each other to define the uncovered portion of the air-permeable textile therebetween,
wherein the air permeable textile comprises:
a first section comprising unidirectional-stretch textile; and
at least one second section comprising bidirectional-stretch textile,
wherein the first section is fixed to the at least one second section by at least one seam, and
wherein the friction-interface material covers the at least one seam on the internal surface of the air-permeable textile.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the air-permeable textile comprises two second sections comprising bidirectional-stretch textile.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the friction-interface material covers an entire internal surface of the first section comprising unidirectional-stretch textile, but does not cover an entire internal surface of the at least one section comprising bidirectional-stretch textile.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the friction-interface material comprises a plurality of longitudinal strips that extend in a longitudinal direction of the liner sock and that are spaced apart from each adjacent one of the plurality of longitudinal strips, around a circumference of the liner sock, by the uncovered portion of the air-permeable textile.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the friction-interface material comprises a strip that extends around a circumference of the liner sock at a proximal end of the liner sock.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the friction-interface material comprises a plurality of circumferential strips that extend around a circumference of the liner sock and that are spaced apart from each adjacent one of the plurality of circumferential strips, in a longitudinal direction of the liner sock, by the uncovered portion of the air-permeable textile.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the friction-interface material comprises a distal cup at a distal end of the liner sock.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the friction-interface material comprises silicone gel.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the liner sock further comprises a distal cap on an external surface of the closed distal end of the liner sock.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the distal cap comprises a countersunk threaded hole configured to receive a screw pin.

11 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a socket to be worn, either directly or indirectly, over the liner sock, the socket comprising:
a perforated inner layer; and an outer frame comprising one or more fenestrations, through which the perforated inner layer is exposed to an external environment of the socket.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the perforated inner layer comprises a plurality of holes having a diameter of 5 millimeters or less.

13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the outer frame comprises an anterior fenestration and at least one posterior fenestration.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the outer frame comprises at least two posterior fenestrations.

15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the perforated inner layer comprises fabric.

16 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the outer frame comprises carbon fiber.

17 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one seam has a curvature, wherein the friction-interface material follows the curvature of the at least one seam.

18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the liner sock has a longitudinal direction, wherein the unidirectional-stretch textile is oriented to elongate in the longitudinal direction.

Assignees

• Us Gov Veterans Affairs
• Fraunhofer Ges Zur Foerderung De Angewandten Forschung E V

Inventors

• Hansen Andrew
• Koehler-Mcnicholas Sara
• Nickel Eric
• Barrons Kyle
• Starker Felix
• Mion Spencer
• Ferguson John
• Fairhurst Stuart
• Ramasamy Ellankavl
• Koester Karl
• Schneider Urs

Classifications

• A61F2002/607

  Lower legs · CPC title

• A61F2013/00097

  net structure · CPC title

• A61F2/80

  Sockets, e.g. of suction type · CPC title

• A61F2013/00136

  anisotropy · CPC title

• A61F2002/5055

  Reinforcing prostheses by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping, e.g. carbon fibre composites · CPC title