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

Abstract

The forced convection system defines an outer regulated airflow environment between the socket and the liner, and an airflow generation device is coupled to the outer regulated airflow environment and configured to generate airflow therein. A convection control system includes convection control circuitry and is configured to adjust the airflow generation device and configured to dynamically control airflow within the outer regulated airflow environment 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 the first airflow proportioning device to open airflow paths to outer regulated airflow environment. The convection control system is configured to provide regulated differential pressure forced airflow convection to the outer regulated airflow environment with the rising edge triggered negative gauge pressure regulation device.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A forced convection 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;   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 outer regulated airflow environment and configured to generate airflow within 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 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 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 airflow proportioning device to open airflow paths to outer regulated airflow environment; and   wherein the convection control system is configured to provide regulated differential pressure forced airflow convection to the outer regulated airflow environment with the rising edge triggered negative gauge pressure regulation device, the first airflow proportioning device, and the airflow generation device.   
     
     
         2 . 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. 
     
     
         3 . 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 an exterior of the liner to also define the outer regulated airflow environment between the socket and the liner. 
     
     
         4 . 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. 
     
     
         5 . 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 and a plurality of adapter convection holes configured to provide fluid communication between the outer airflow regulated environment and the central convection channel. 
     
     
         6 . The forced convection system according to  claim 5 , 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. 
     
     
         7 . The forced convection system according to  claim 6 , 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. 
     
     
         8 . The forced convection system according to  claim 7 , wherein the convection manifold includes a muffler configured to reduce noise in the airflow path. 
     
     
         9 . The forced convection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first airflow proportioning device comprises an electromechanical binary airflow proportioning device. 
     
     
         10 . The forced convection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first airflow proportioning device comprises a mechanical binary airflow proportioning device. 
     
     
         11 . 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;   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 an airflow generation device to the outer regulated airflow environment and configured to generate airflow within the outer regulated airflow environment;   providing a convection control system including convection control circuitry configured to adjust the airflow generation device to dynamically control airflow within 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 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 airflow proportioning device to open airflow paths to the outer regulated airflow environment;   wherein the convection control system is configured to provide regulated differential pressure forced airflow convection to the outer regulated airflow environment with the rising edge triggered negative gauge pressure regulation device, the first airflow proportioning device, and the airflow generation device.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the airflow generation device comprises a battery operated mass airflow generation device or a body powered mass airflow generation device. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising installing a textile layer, including a proximal seal, to surround at least a portion of an exterior of the liner to also define the outer regulated airflow environment between the socket and the liner. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the first airflow proportioning device comprises an electromechanical binary airflow proportioning device. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the first airflow proportioning device comprises a mechanical binary airflow proportioning device.