The present application relates heating and cooling systems for prosthetic limbs, and to the use of such systems in prosthetic limbs. In one aspect, a system for temperature regulation of a prosthetic limb comprises a battery, an electrical connection, and at least one temperature regulation element.

A prosthetic system includes a liner adapted to receive a residual limb and including an outer surface defining an outlet, and a socket including an interior surface and including an aperture extending from the interior surface to an external atmosphere. A first sealed volume is defined between a first portion of the outer surface of the liner and a first portion of the interior surface of the socket. A second sealed volume is defined between a second portion of the outer surface of the liner and a second portion of the interior surface of the socket. The first sealed volume is fluidly connected to the outer of the liner, fluidly separated from the second sealed volume by a seal element, and is independent from the second sealed volume throughout use of the system.

The invention relates to a vasodilation assembly for facilitating intravenous cannulation. The assembly comprises: (i) a flexible plastics sleeve (10); (ii) a heated air supply; and (iii) a conduit for conveying heated air from the air supply into the flexible plastics sleeve. The sleeve comprises an air inlet opening (12) for coupling to the conduit, and an opening (14) for accepting an appendage of a patient. The flexible plastics sleeve (10) is of a double-walled construction comprising transparent inner and outer sleeve layers (16, 18).

A modular prosthesis cooling system may comprise a port disposed in the wall of a prosthesis socket, and a plug module removable disposed in the port. The plug module may comprise cooling element, such as a TEC, and a heat-dissipation element, such as a heat sink or fan. A protective heat-dissipating shroud may be disposed about plug module. The prosthesis socket wall may comprise a heat-conductive layer in a heat-exchange relationship with the cooling element.

Apparatuses and methods of fabrication are provided which include a mechanical coolant pump to facilitate pumping a coolant through a coolant loop. The mechanical coolant pump is to couple to an individual and be physically powered by a specified movement of the individual to pump coolant. Coolant pumped by the mechanical coolant pump is circulated by the coolant pump through a device associated with the individual to cool the device.

A prosthesis heating apparatus for warming the entire prosthesis to prevent the prosthesis from withdrawing heat from the wearer's body, in particular, from withdrawing body heat from the bone to which the prosthesis is attached. The prosthetic heating apparatus can use cyclical timer switch or the disclosed dual switched circuit for turning an electric device on and off at set intervals.

A prosthetic system includes a prosthetic liner adapted to provide an interface between a residual limb and a prosthetic socket, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly is arranged for regulating fluid communication between an interface region defined between the prosthetic liner and the residual limb and a suspension chamber defined between the prosthetic liner and the prosthetic socket. A vacuum in the suspension chamber selectively moves the valve assembly between a closed position in which the valve assembly fluidly separates the suspension chamber from the interface region, and an open position in which a portion of the vacuum in the suspension chamber draws fluid from the interface region via the valve assembly into the suspension chamber.

A prosthetic socket cooling system and method includes a thermally conductive heat spreader including a curved shaped portion configured to maximize contact with a residual limb of a user. A heat extraction subsystem is coupled through a wall of the prosthetic socket and to the thermally conductive heat spreader and is configured to maintain a desired temperature inside the prosthetic socket.

A method for producing a prosthesis socket in which a 3D-dataset is produced of an outer contour of a stump on which a prosthesis socket is to be mounted, and a base socket is produced from a first material in a 3D printing method using said 3D dataset, wherein an inner contour of the base socket corresponds to the outer contour of the stump, and at least one stabilising element consisting of a second material is laminated onto the base socket.

A modular prosthesis cooling system may comprise a port disposed in the wall of a prosthesis socket, and a plug module removable disposed in the port. The plug module may comprise cooling element, such as a TEC, and a heat-dissipation element, such as a heat sink or fan. A protective heat-dissipating shroud may be disposed about plug module. The prosthesis socket wall may comprise a heat-conductive layer in a heat-exchange relationship with the cooling element.