A prosthetic socket cooling system and method includes a strap for coupling about a limb fitted with a prosthetic socket. One or more thermally conductive heat spreaders are associated with the strap and may be at least partially seated underneath the prosthetic socket. A heat extraction subsystem is coupled to at least one of the lengthy heat spreaders and carried by the strap. In one version, heat spreaders may form sections of the strap.

A prosthetic liner includes a flexible elongate, generally conical body portion formed from an elastomeric material. The body portion defines an inner surface, an outer surface forming a liner profile between a distal end and a proximal end, and an axis extending between the distal and proximal ends. At least one seal element extends circumferentially about the axis and protrudes radially outward a distance from the liner profile. The at least one seal element has a seal height defined between the liner profile and a radially outward end of the at least one seal element. The seal height varies circumferentially about the axis between a first seal height and a second seal height.

A heat sleeve for selectively heating a residual limb of an amputee is provided. The heat sleeve includes a first sock member having an open proximal end, a distal end and a continuous side wall, all defining an open interior area configured to receive the residual limb therein. A temperature regulating apparatus includes a thermal adjustment element adapted to be mounted onto an exterior surface of the first sock member proximate the distal end, and a power supply operatively coupled to the thermal adjustment element. When the power supply is in its ON orientation and providing power to the thermal adjustment element, the thermal adjustment element selectively heats the residual limb within the first sock. A second sock member may then receive the residual limb, the first sock member and the flexible heating element therein.

A suspension liner for a residual limb has a liner body with a plurality of anterior and posterior projections formed from a thickness of the liner body. Medial and lateral tendons are located between and correspond to profiles of the plurality of the anterior and posterior projections such that the medial and lateral tendons are located on opposed sides of the liner body relative to one another. The medial and lateral tendons flare circumferentially toward proximal and distal sections of the liner body.

A liner to an appendage of a user includes a base member, a bracket adjustably mounted to the base member to a desired height position, and a plurality of arms pivotably mounted to the bracket. Each arm can include a rotating member, such as a roller ball, coupled to a top end of the arm. The plurality of arms can extend from the bracket in a generally upright position and can support the liner thereon in an inside out position so that the application of downward pressure by the appendage of the user within the plurality of arms permits the arms to pivot outward, thereby allowing the plurality of arms and roller balls to slide the liner around the appendage of the user.

A prosthetic suspension-mounting system which employs an improved flathead bolt and socket centering cup combination for securement of an amputee-limb enveloping liner within a prosthesis. The liner has a strap fixedly attached on the bottom end of the liner by a flathead bolt. The mounting system also includes a containment socket for seating the liner in the prosthesis using the head of the flathead bolt as a bearing surface against a floor of the socket. The containment socket has a slot there through at a position corresponding to the strap of the liner. The socket is provided with a disk-shaped recess having a flat floor, and the liner is provided with a distal flathead bolt having a flat head to provide a direct bearing surface against the floor of the socket. This provides a delimited bearing surface to keep the liner substantially centered within the prosthesis while still affording a lateral degree of freedom to avoid concentration of lateral forces.

Prosthetic socket sealing systems and methods of use. Embodiments of the present invention include various combinations of sealing elements that are associated with a rigid prosthetic socket and act to seal the socket interior against air intrusion or escape via the open proximal end thereof. The socket interior may thus be evacuated for purposes of vacuum suspension or otherwise.

A method and system of choosing a prosthetic liner using cross-references databases which informs a user using a specified interface. Specifically, the method comprises a user accessing a graphical interface wherein amputee attributes are entered in order of (1) level of amputation, (2) residual limb length, (3) activity level, (4) residual limb shape/volume, and (5) clinical conditions with corresponding attribute options. Alternatively, the chosen attributes are (1) class of amputation, (2) residual limb length, (3) body weight, (4) use of the prosthesis, (5) activity level, and 6) uneven paths for knee joints with corresponding attribute options. Alternatively, the chosen attributes are (1) level of amputation, (2) residual limb length, (3) body weight, (4) use of the prosthesis, (5) activity level, and 6) uneven paths for foot joints with corresponding attribute options. These amputee attributes are then cross-referenced against one another and compared to a second database containing liners that correspond to the amputee attributes selected thereby educating the user, generally a prosthetist, on the appropriate liner style for a particular amputee.

A thermoplastic article for orthopaedic application comprising a substrate, the substrate including in the range 57 to 95 wt % of a thermoplastic polymer and in the range 5 to 30 wt % of a wax; wherein, the article is plastic at a temperature in the range 40° C. to 60° C. Together with a method of a thermoplastic article for orthopaedic application comprising a substrate, the substrate including in the range 57 to 95 wt % of a thermoplastic polymer and in the range 5 to 30 wt % of a wax; wherein, the article is plastic at a temperature in the range 40° C. to 60° C. and a use of the article together with a computer readable medium which when executed on a processor allows the article to be made.

A system and method for producing a customized prosthetic socket based on a digital representation of a residual limb that is used to form a digital model of a prosthetic socket. The digital model is customized to alter its internal structure to produce differing areas of flexibility and support while maintaining the overall geometry of the model and without having to use different materials. The digital model is converted for use with a three-dimensional printing or manufacturing device and then used to print the customized socket.