US 6,149,691 AGranted

Self-inflating socket having encased gel

OwnerJohn N. Fay, Cheryl A. Fayinventors

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Abstract

A socket has a gelatinous core to provide an enhanced cushioning effect for a residual limb. The gelatinous material is covered by a flexible inner cover that shields the skin of the residual limb from the gel and by a flexible outer cover that shields the inner wall of a prosthetic frame from the gel. The inner cover prevents the gel from absorbing body oils and therefore eliminates odors associated with liners formed of gelatinous materials. A self-inflating foam pad is positioned between the inner and outer covers to adjust the fit as needed when the residual limb changes in volume. The pad initially has substantially no air in its interstitial spaces and air is admitted when the patient opens a valve. This prevents over-pressurization of the pad because the maximum pressure that can be exerted by the pad is determined by the prosthetist when the patient is fitted with a prosthesis.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A socket adapted to fit within a prosthetic frame, comprising:

a thin, flexible inner cover made of a plastic material;
said inner cover having a brim means adapted to circumscribe a brim means of said prosthetic frame;
a thin, flexible outer cover made of a plastic material;
said outer cover having a brim means;
a gelatinous material disposed between said inner and outer covers;
said gelatinous material being thick in preselected regions of said socket and tapering down in thickness to a featheredge at preselected regions where said gelatinous material ends;
said inner and outer covers being secured to one another at their respective brim means so that said gelatinous material is sandwiched therebetween;
and
said inner and outer covers being adapted to be secured to said prosthetic frame;
whereby said inner and outer covers are adapted to protect a residual limb from said gelatinous material;
and
whereby said gelatinous material provides a beneficial cushioning effect for the residual limb.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.