Systems and methods for fabricating a prosthetic socket

A method of fabricating a socket for attaching a prosthesis or an orthotic to a limb, comprising:

• applying a socket material to a portion of a limb of a patient, the socket material to be used in the formation of the socket;
• after the applying, placing the portion of the limb into an interior region of a flexible liner of a socket fabrication system, the socket fabrication system including a rigid outer cylinder defining an interior volume in which the flexible liner is configured to be disposed and a plurality of beads within the interior region of the flexible liner;
• sealing a top end portion of the flexible liner to an upper portion of the limb outside of the cylinder;
• and
• producing a vacuum within the interior region of the flexible liner with the patient in a standing position and the rigid outer cylinder bearing a portion of a weight of the patient, the vacuum causing the plurality of beads to compress against the socket material such that the socket material conforms to the portion of the limb.

A kit for fabricating a socket for attaching a prosthesis or an orthotic to a limb using a socket fabrication system, comprising:

• a flexible liner configured to be disposed inside an interior volume of a rigid outer cylinder of the socket fabrication system, the flexible liner defining an interior region configured to receive an end portion of a limb of a patient with a socket material disposed thereon, the flexible liner including a coupling configured to be coupled to a vacuum pump via a vacuum hose to place the vacuum pump in fluid communication with the interior region of the flexible liner;
• a plurality of beads configured to be disposed within the interior region of the flexible liner;
• a protective liner configured to be placed on the end portion of the limb of the patient;
• a socket material configured to be applied over the protective liner;
• and
• a cover configured to be placed over the socket material.