Prosthetic liner with continuous distal end area

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9770891-B2
Application number	US-201314088512-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 25, 2013
Priority date	Mar 27, 2009
Publication date	Sep 26, 2017
Grant date	Sep 26, 2017

Abstract

A tubular liner has an open proximal end and a closed-end distal area, and a fabric layer continuously defining an exterior surface of the liner without interruption. A polymeric layer having first and second surfaces is bonded to an interior surface of the fabric layer. A seam is formed by opposed sides of the fabric layer joined together and forming an excess portion directed toward the cavity of the liner. The excess portion is embedded in the polymeric layer.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for forming a continuous distal end area in a prosthetic liner adapted to envelop a residual limb, the method comprising the steps of:
forming a tubular liner body from at least one polymeric layer having interior and exterior surfaces, the liner body defining an open proximal end and a closed-end distal area, the liner body forming a cavity delimited by the interior surface;
providing at least one fabric layer over the exterior surface, the at least one fabric layer defining first and second surfaces with the first fabric layer surface continuously defining an outermost surface of the prosthetic liner;
forming a seam formed by joining opposed sides of the at least one fabric layer at the closed distal end area of the liner body, the opposed sides of the at least one fabric layer forming an excess portion directed toward the cavity of the liner body;
embedding the excess portion in a thickness of the at least one polymeric layer;
wherein the at least one polymeric layer includes a first continuous polymeric layer having first and second surfaces, the first polymeric layer surface bonded to the interior surface of the at least one fabric layer, and a second continuous polymeric layer having first and second surfaces, the first second layer surface being contiguous and integrally secured to the second first layer surface, the second polymeric layer being thicker than the first polymeric layer, the second layer surface forming the interior surface as a continuously smooth surface;
wherein the excess portion of the seam is embedded in the first and second polymeric layers.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of joining together the opposed sides of the at least one fabric layer by a welding element placed along opposed sides of the at least one fabric layer.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of forming the seam across the distal end area of the liner and closing a distal end area of the at least one fabric layer.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the distal end area of the exterior and interior surfaces is continuous without interruption.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the seam is air-tight.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one fabric layer is elasticized and forms a tubular shape, the distal end area of the at least one fabric layer is arranged in a permanent distended condition.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the prosthetic liner distal end area has an arcuate outer wall defining radii of curvature centered along a liner longitudinal axis of external symmetry, the seam tracing at least along the radii of curvature.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one polymeric layer is a silicone elastomer, a composite including a silicone elastomer and silicone oil dispersed through the silicone elastomer, or contains a plurality of hollow microspheres dispersed through the silicone.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of stitching the opposed sides of the at least one fabric layer to one another to form a seam.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fabric layer comprises first and second fabric sections each defining first and second surfaces joined together along a seam.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first and second fabric sections have different stiffness properties from one another.

Assignees

• Ossur Hf

Inventors

• Bjarnason Asmundur Bergmann
• Asgeirsson Sigurdur

Classifications

• B32B37/02 Primary

  characterised by a sequence of laminating steps, e.g. by adding new layers at consecutive laminating stations · CPC title

• Y10T428/1341

  Contains vapor or gas barrier, polymer derived from vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride, or polymer containing a vinyl alcohol unit · CPC title

• Y10T428/1334

  Nonself-supporting tubular film or bag [e.g., pouch, envelope, packet, etc.] · CPC title

• Y10T428/1345

  Single layer [continuous layer] · CPC title

• A61F2/7812 Primary

  Interface cushioning members placed between the limb stump and the socket, e.g. bandages or stockings for the limb stump · CPC title