Convection liner for use in regulated environments for artificial limbs and associated methods

Abstract

The conformable convection liner is for use with a prosthetic system and configured to be donned over a residual limb of an amputee. The conformable convection liner includes a tubular body formed from an elastomeric limb-conforming material and including an outer surface and inner surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end thereof. A seal area is defined at the proximal end of the tubular body on the inner surface thereof. An outlet port is positioned at the distal end of the tubular body between the inner and outer surfaces thereof. An inner regulated environment is defined between the inner surface of the tubular body and the residual limb, the inner regulated environment extending between the proximal end of the tubular body with the seal area and the distal end of the tubular body with the outlet port. One or more internal convection guides are formed in the elastomeric limb-conforming material on the internal surface of the tubular body below the seal area and configured to promote the flow of fluid within the inner regulated environment towards the outlet port at the distal end of the tubular body.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A conformable convection liner for use with a prosthetic system and configured to be donned over a residual limb of an amputee, the conformable convection liner comprising:
 a tubular body formed from an elastomeric limb-conforming material and including an outer surface and inner surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end thereof   a seal area being defined at the proximal end of the tubular body on the inner surface thereof   an outlet port positioned at the distal end of the tubular body between the inner and outer surfaces thereof;   an inner regulated environment being defined between the inner surface of the tubular body and the residual limb, the inner regulated environment extending between the proximal end of the tubular body with the seal area and the distal end of the tubular body with the outlet port; and   at least one internal convection guide formed in the elastomeric limb-conforming material on the internal surface of the tubular body below the seal area and configured to promote the flow of fluid within the inner regulated environment towards the outlet port at the distal end of the tubular body.   
     
     
         2 . The conformable convection liner according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one inlet port positioned below the seal area at the proximal end of the tubular body between the inner and outer surfaces thereof 
     
     
         3 . The conformable convection liner according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one inlet port comprises an occlusion preventing flange. 
     
     
         4 . The conformable convection liner according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one inlet port is configured to be coupled to an airflow generation device to generate airflow within the inner regulated environment. 
     
     
         5 . The conformable convection liner according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one internal convection guide comprises a groove configured with a narrow width that prevents invagination of tissue of the residual limb. 
     
     
         6 . The conformable convection liner according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one internal convection guide comprises a plurality of internal convection guides. 
     
     
         7 . The conformable convection liner according to  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of internal convection guides are arranged to extend in an axial direction on the internal surface of the tubular body from below the seal area to the outlet port at the distal end thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The conformable convection liner according to  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of internal convection guides are arranged in at least one of a longitudinal, angled, serpentine and crosshatched arrangement on the internal surface of the tubular body. 
     
     
         9 . The conformable convection liner according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of convection guides on the exterior surface of the tubular body and comprising longitudinal scalloped channels. 
     
     
         10 . The conformable convection liner according to  claim 9 , wherein the longitudinal scalloped channels are configured to provide positive volumetric distortion within the socket during a stance phase of the amputee. 
     
     
         11 . The conformable convection liner according to  claim 1 , further comprising a convection pin adapter at the distal end thereof and including a central convection channel in fluid communication with the outlet port. 
     
     
         12 . A method of making a conformable convection liner configured to be donned over a residual limb of an amputee, the method comprising:
 forming a tubular body from an elastomeric limb-conforming material and including an outer surface and inner surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end thereof;   defining a seal area being at the proximal end of the tubular body on the inner surface thereof;   positioning an outlet port at the distal end of the tubular body between the inner and outer surfaces thereof;   an inner regulated environment being defined between the inner surface of the tubular body and the residual limb, the inner regulated environment extending between the proximal end of the tubular body with the seal area and the distal end of the tubular body with the outlet port; and   forming at least one internal convection guide in the elastomeric limb-conforming material on the internal surface of the tubular body below the seal area and configured to promote the flow of fluid within the inner regulated environment towards the outlet port at the distal end of the tubular body.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising positioning a least one inlet port below the seal area at the proximal end of the tubular body between the inner and outer surfaces thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one inlet port comprises an occlusion preventing flange. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one inlet port is configured to be coupled to an airflow generation device to generate airflow within the inner regulated environment. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one internal convection guide comprises a groove configured with a narrow width that prevents invagination of tissue of the residual limb. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein forming the at least one internal convection guide comprises forming a plurality of internal convection guides. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein forming the plurality of internal convection guides comprises arranging the plurality of convection guides to extend in an axial direction on the internal surface of the tubular body from below the seal area to the outlet port at the distal end thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein forming the plurality of internal convection guides comprises arranging the plurality of convection guides in at least one of a longitudinal, angled, serpentine and crosshatched arrangement on the internal surface of the tubular body.