Negative gauge pressure dynamic convection system having inner and outer airflow regulated environments for artificial limb and associated methods

Abstract

The forced convection system includes a limb socket configured to define an outer regulated airflow environment between the socket and the liner, and an airflow generation device coupled to an inner airflow regulated environment and the outer regulated airflow environment and configured to generate airflow therein. A convection control system including convection control circuitry is configured to adjust the airflow generation device and configured to dynamically control airflow to maintain negative gauge pressure therein and transfer thermal energy therein to an external atmosphere. The convection control system further includes a rising edge triggered negative gauge pressure regulation device including pressure control circuitry and an associated valve configured to control airflow proportioning devices to open respective airflow paths to the regulated airflow environments. The convection control system is configured to provide regulated differential pressure forced airflow convection to the regulated airflow environments.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A forced convention system configured to be attached to a residual limb of an amputee, the system comprising:
 a conformable convection liner configured to be donned over the residual limb and define an inner regulated airflow environment between the liner and the residual limb;   a limb socket configured to receive the residual limb and donned liner, and define an outer regulated airflow environment between the socket and the liner;   an airflow generation device coupled to the inner airflow regulated environment and the outer regulated airflow environment and configured to generate airflow within the inner regulated airflow environment and the outer regulated airflow environment;   a convection control system including convection control circuitry configured to adjust the airflow generation device and configured to dynamically control airflow within the inner regulated airflow environment and the outer regulated airflow environment to maintain negative gauge pressure therein and transfer thermal energy therein to an external atmosphere; and   a first airflow proportioning device coupled to the inner regulated airflow environment, and a second airflow proportioning device coupled to the outer regulated airflow environment;   wherein the convection control system further includes a rising edge triggered negative gauge pressure regulation device comprising pressure control circuitry and an associated valve configured to control the first and second airflow proportioning devices to open respective airflow paths to the inner and outer regulated airflow environments; and   wherein the convection control system is configured to provide regulated differential pressure forced airflow convection to the inner and outer regulated airflow environments with the rising edge triggered negative gauge pressure regulation device, the first and second airflow proportioning devices, and the airflow generation device.   
     
     
         2 . The forced convection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner includes inflow air channels and at least one outflow air channel in fluid communication with the inner regulated airflow environment; and wherein the airflow generation device is coupled to the inner airflow regulated environment via the inflow air channels and/or the outflow air channel. 
     
     
         3 . The forced convection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the airflow generation device comprises a battery operated airflow generation device or a body powered airflow generation device. 
     
     
         4 . The forced convection system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a textile layer, including a proximal seal, configured to surround at least a portion of the residual limb and, with the liner, define the inner regulated airflow environment between the liner and the residual limb. 
     
     
         5 . The forced convection system according to  claim 4 , wherein the textile layer has a thickness that tapers from a distal end to a proximal end thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The forced convection system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of airflow convection guides on the exterior surface of the liner and comprising longitudinal scalloped channels in fluid communication with respective distal airflow channels. 
     
     
         7 . The forced convection system according to  claim 6 , wherein the longitudinal scalloped channels are configured to provide positive volumetric distortion within the socket during a stance phase of the amputee. 
     
     
         8 . The forced convection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner further includes a convection pin adapter at a distal end thereof and including a central convection channel configured to provide fluid communication between the inner regulated airflow environment and the airflow generation device, and a plurality of adapter convection holes configured to provide fluid communication between the outer airflow regulated environment and the central convection channel. 
     
     
         9 . The forced convection system according to  claim 8 , wherein the liner further includes internal airflow convection guides on an interior surface thereof and in fluid communication with the central convection channel of the convection pin adapter at the distal end of the liner. 
     
     
         10 . The forced convection system according to  claim 8 , further comprising a hollow convection pin interfaced with the convection pin adapter and including a distal outlet port in fluid communication with the central convection channel of the adapter. 
     
     
         11 . The forced convection system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a convection manifold configured to interface with the hollow convection pin and including a removable absorber configured to extract moisture from airflow in an airflow path to the airflow generation device. 
     
     
         12 . The forced convection system according to  claim 10 , wherein the convection manifold includes a muffler configured to reduce noise in the airflow path. 
     
     
         13 . The forced convection system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second airflow proportioning devices comprises an electromechanical binary airflow proportioning device. 
     
     
         14 . The forced convection system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second airflow proportioning devices comprises a mechanical binary airflow proportioning device. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forced convection to a residual limb of an amputee with an attached artificial limb, the method comprising:
 providing a conformable convection liner to be donned over the residual limb and defining an inner regulated airflow environment between the liner and the residual limb;   receiving the residual limb and donned liner in a limb socket, and defining an outer regulated airflow environment between the socket and the liner;   coupling airflow generation device to the inner regulated airflow environment and the outer regulated airflow environment and configured to generate airflow within the inner regulated airflow environment and the outer regulated airflow environment; and   providing a convection control system including convection control circuitry configured to adjust the airflow generation device to dynamically control airflow within the inner regulated airflow environment and the outer regulated airflow environment to maintain negative gauge pressure therein and transfer thermal energy therein to an external atmosphere; and   coupling a first airflow proportioning device to the inner regulated airflow environment, and a second airflow proportioning device to the outer regulated airflow environment;   wherein the convection control system further includes a rising edge triggered negative gauge pressure regulation device comprising pressure control circuitry and an associated valve configured to control the first and second airflow proportioning devices to open respective airflow paths to the inner and outer regulated airflow environments;   wherein the convection control system is configured to provide regulated differential pressure forced airflow convection to the inner and outer regulated airflow environments with the rising edge triggered negative gauge pressure regulation device, the first and second airflow proportioning devices, and the airflow generation device.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the liner includes inflow air channels and at least one outflow air channel in fluid communication with the inner regulated airflow environment; and wherein the airflow generation device is coupled to the inner regulated airflow environment via the inflow air channels and/or the outflow air channel. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the airflow generation device comprises a battery operated airflow generation device or a body powered airflow generation device. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising installing a textile layer, including a proximal seal, to surround at least a portion of the residual limb and, with the liner, define the inner regulated airflow environment between the liner and the residual limb. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second airflow proportioning devices comprises an electromechanical binary airflow proportioning device. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second airflow proportioning devices comprises a mechanical binary airflow proportioning device.