A liner for an orthopedic or prosthetic device includes a core formed from a porous and compressible material, a first layer secured to the first side of the core and forming a first surface to the liner, and a second layer secured to the second side of the core and forming a second surface to the liner. The first and second layers may comprise different properties from one another and be formed from different materials including fabrics and polymeric materials. A polymeric film may be secured to the core or one of the layers to define at least part of a surface of the liner.

An artificial muscle includes a housing including an electrode region and an expandable liquid region and a dielectric liquid housed within the housing. The artificial muscle further includes an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing, the electrode pair comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the electrode pair is configured to actuate between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric liquid into the expandable liquid region, expanding the expandable liquid region. The artificial muscle also includes a composite electrical insulating layered structure in contact with at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode, wherein the composite electrical insulating layered structure that includes an electrical insulator layer surrounded by adhesive surfaces. The adhesive surfaces are located between one or more flexible electrical insulators.

A prosthesis device can include a socket or a kit for forming a socket having a lanyard suspension system. In one example, the lanyard suspension system includes a tightening device having a housing, and tightening the lanyard gathers a tensioning line portion of the lanyard into an interior of the housing.

A variable stiffness leaf spring mechanism and method of locking parallel leaf springs allow for a wide range of stiffness settings in a low-mass package. By varying the number of parallel leaf springs as well as the thickness and stiffness of each layer the system stiffness and range of stiffness settings can be optimally tuned to each application. Additionally, by locking leaf springs without inducing large normal forces from a clamping mechanism, the frictional wear on the system is greatly diminished. In addition to increasing the life cycles of the system, this will decrease auditory noise emitted during operation. The system and method can be applied to lower extremity prostheses to allow for more biological emulation than passive prostheses in a lower mass package than powered prostheses.

A prosthetic liner having a lower longitudinal stretch in the distal region than in either the proximal or optional intermediate region. The distal region may stretch anywhere from 0-30% vertically and 10-200% horizontally as compared to the proximal region's vertical stretch of 55-125% and 100-175% horizontally. The stretch of the liner at various pressure sensitive regions of a residual limb can also be lowered or heightened depending on the area. A variety of stitches may be used at the distal end to implement this lowered longitudinal stretch. Preferably, the liner is made of a stretchable material. The liner also has an interior layer of elastomer gel. The design of this prosthetic liner is primarily to prevent the “pistoning” of the amputee's residual limb within the liner and for comfort over pressure-sensitive areas of the residual limb. The liner also includes the use of a low extensibility material which is adhered to the fabric portion of a prosthetic liner or orthotic liner either internally or externally and limits the longitudinal movement while allowing for transversal movement. The customizable nature of the invention allows for shaping and personalization depending on the needs of the user.

A method for reducing motion of a skeletal structure in a limb towards a wall of an interface is described. The interface comprises a plurality of compression areas that are longitudinally-shaped and oriented longitudinally along the length of limb. The method comprises selecting, during a process of creating the interface, a compression level for the compression areas that compresses soft tissue against the skeletal structure. The method also comprises donning the interface over the limb to apply a plurality of compressive forces that is sufficient to aid in suspension of the interface on the limb and reduce motion of the skeletal structure toward a wall of the interface.

A prosthetic digit usable with capacitive panels is provided. The digit includes at least one conductive layer surrounding the body of the digit, and a non-conductive sealing layer around the conductive layer preventing direct external contact of the conductive layer with the capacitive panel. The digit may have a conductive tip pad to create a series capacitive pathway between the conductive layer of the body and the electrodes of the capacitive panel. Using the digit with a capacitive panel does not require a direct conductive pathway, e.g., a pathway between the capacitive panel and the structure of the device, the user's skin, or metallic sink.

A prosthetic interface includes a body portion having an open proximal end and a closed distal end including a distal cup. The body portion includes a membrane component having a flexible configuration defining an internal flow space extending along a length of the membrane component between an inner side arranged to face a skin surface of a residual limb and an outer side arranged to face away from the skin surface. At least one material coating is selectively applied to the membrane component that interacts with at least one of the membrane component and the distal cup to define at least one breathable region along the inner side that allows fluid flow between the internal flow space and the residual limb, and at least one impermeable region along the outer side that allows for vacuum suspension between the prosthetic interface and a prosthetic socket.

A lower extremity prosthetic socket, according to some embodiments. The lower extremity prosthetic socket includes a shell having variable thickness along a longitudinal length of the shell. The lower extremity prosthetic socket is configured to provide stability for a residual limb of a user when worn by the user. The lower extremity prosthetic socket is configured to distribute forces. The shell is configured to conform to an anatomical structure of the residual limb of the user.

A protective device for an upper extremity post-operative residual limb of a user. The protective device includes a multi-section shell having a shape that corresponds to an anatomical structure of the upper extremity post-operative residual limb of the user. The protective device also includes a hinge coupled with a first section and a second section of the multi-section shell, the hinge configured to facilitate relative rotation of the first section and the second section to transition the protective device between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The multi-section shell is configured to receive one or more attachments to increase functionality of the upper extremity post-operative residual limb of the user.