Flexible inner socket for providing inner circumference reduction to rigid prosthetic socket

A flexible inner pre-socket, comprising:

• an injection molded premade thermoplastic elastomer pre-socket comprising a thermoformable material, a first end, a second end, a thickness, an inner circumference at a first end portion that is larger than an inner circumference at a second end portion, and an outer circumference, the first end having an opening, and the second end being substantially closed,
• wherein the injection molded premade thermoplastic elastomer pre-socket is configured to be:
• i) heated to a formable temperature in a range from about 311° F. to about 320° F. so that the injection molded premade thermoplastic elastomer pre-socket becomes formable and stretchable so as to be arranged over at least a portion of a positive model of a residual leg limb and follow contours of an outer surface of the positive model of the residual leg limb, or
• ii) heated to a formable temperature so that the injection molded premade thermoplastic elastomer pre-socket becomes formable and stretchable so as to be arranged inside of a rigid prosthetic socket and follow contours of an inner surface of the rigid prosthetic socket, so as to globally reduce an interior volume of the rigid prosthetic socket,
• wherein injection molded premade thermoplastic elastomer pre-socket is configured to be cooled to an ambient temperature after being heated to the formable temperature such that injection molded premade thermoplastic elastomer pre-socket becomes non-formable at the ambient temperature, and
• wherein the injection molded premade thermoplastic elastomer pre-socket is injected molded in a size to accommodate a specific positive model having a predetermined distal circumference in a range from about 24 cm to about 40 cm.

A flexible inner pre-socket, comprising:

• an injection molded premade thermoplastic elastomer pre-socket comprising a first end, a second end, a thickness, an inner circumference, and an outer circumference, the first end having an opening, and the second end being substantially closed,
• wherein the injection molded premade thermoplastic elastomer pre-socket is configured to be:
• i) heated to a formable temperature so that injection molded premade thermoplastic elastomer pre-socket becomes formable and stretchable so as to be arranged over at least a portion of a positive model of a residual leg limb and follow contours of an outer surface of the positive model of the residual leg limb, or
• ii) heated to a formable temperature so that the injection molded premade thermoplastic elastomer pre-socket becomes formable and stretchable so as to be arranged inside of a rigid prosthetic socket and follow contours of an inner surface of the rigid prosthetic socket, so as to globally reduce an interior volume of the rigid prosthetic socket,
• wherein the injection molded premade thermoplastic elastomer pre-socket is configured to be cooled to an ambient temperature after being heated to the formable temperature such that the injection molded premade thermoplastic elastomer pre-socket becomes non-formable, and
• wherein the injection molded premade thermoplastic elastomer pre-socket is injected molded in a size to accommodate a specific positive model having a predetermined distal circumference.