A magnetic and electrical interface that may be used with an assistive device. The interface comprises a proximal connector and a distal connector. The proximal connector may be attached to a liner for a residual limb and the distal connector may be attached to a hard socket or other aspect of an assistive device. Other aspects of and uses for the connector interface are also disclosed.

The invention concerns a prosthesis liner for application to a limb stump, with an elastic liner layer (20) of elastomer, wherein the liner layer (20) has pores (26) in at least one distal portion (30) thereof.

Prosthetic liners, prosthetic sockets and prosthetic suspension sleeves, as well as orthotic components, having enhanced thermally conductivity and/or enhanced heat absorption capabilities. Such components may be used in various combinations to create assemblies and systems that are operative to better transfer heat away from and/or absorb heat produced by residual or intact limbs of a user.

The invention relates to a method for producing an orthopedic device, particularly a prosthesis liner, characterized in that the orthopedic device is produced at least partially by means of an additive manufacturing process from at least one production material that is introduced into a support material in a flowable state and then hardens.

A sleeve for mounting a prosthetic unit on a limb is formed in a knitted fabric comprising elastic yarns to allow circumferential extension of the sleeve to grip the limb. Adherent fibres are integrated within the fabric and exposed on the internal surface of the sleeve to provide additional grip. Such fibres can be silicone or silicone based yarns. An end of the sleeve is adapted to couple with a prosthetic unit. The knitted fabric may include yarns of restricted elasticity to limit longitudinal extension of the sleeve, and the elastic yarns and the yarns of restricted elasticity are typically located in discrete sections (2, 4, 6) of the sleeve. Such discrete sections will normally extend longitudinally in the sleeve. The knitted yarns at the end of the sleeve are normally bonded directly to a coupling element (8, 10, 12) for attachment to a prosthetic unit.

Linings for fitting an object to a body part, and their use, are provided. The lining may include a flexible sheet having a fluid impenetrable outer portion enclosing an internal volume and the lining may include barriers forming a number of compartments substantially secured in place within the internal volume. The barriers may be permeable to gas and/or liquid, yet may be impermeable to the conformable material and the gas and/or liquid may be supplied to or aspirated from one or more compartments within the internal volume. Aspiration of gas and/or liquid from the internal volume may limit both deformation of the conformable material and shape adjustment of the flexible sheet.

Embodiments are directed to devices configured to assist the flow of fluids in the body. The device comprises a covering for placing on the skin of a patient having protrusions which can contact the skin. The protrusions have a base proximal to a surface of the covering and an outer edge distal to the surface of the covering. Protrusions can be configured in an array, in a line perpendicular to desired fluid flow or in a spiral configuration, such that fluid flow is enhanced in the appropriate direction. The device can be configured as a prosthesis, an orthotic, a liner for a prosthesis or orthotic, or a wrap or covering that is positioned around a body part. The body part can be part of a lower limb, part of an upper limb, or other body part.

The invention is a 3D printed prosthetic socket for a residual limb consisting of a 3D printed shell. The 3D printed prosthetic socket comprises a distal end adapted for linking the interconnecting adapter of the socket and a proximal end with an opening adapted for inserting the limb. The 3D printed shell comprises a first housing of the socket comprising an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the first housing of the socket comprises a rigid region having, in the direction perpendicular to the inner wall, the rigidity of the rigid region and an elastic region having, in the direction perpendicular to the inner wall the rigidity of the elastic region. The rigidity of the elastic region is smaller than the rigidity of the rigid region, wherein the elastic region comprises a set of shaped openings and is adapted for softening the contact of the residual lower limb with the prosthetic socket, wherein the 3D printed shell is made of a single 3D printed part.

The system includes an instrument for determining the anatomical, biomechanical, and physiological properties of a body segment that includes one or more force sensitive probes is provided. A human operator actuates one or more force sensitive probes, wherein the force sensitive probes are positioned at the surface of the body segment. The operator pushes on the force sensitive probes with varying force applied on the body segment to measure tissue deflection forces. The instrument may include one or more of gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers capable of measuring changes in tissue deflection caused by the force sensitive probes relative to a grounded reference frame in 3-D space, wherein the tissue deflection force data and the change in tissue deflection data are used to compute segment tissue viscoelastic properties. The instrument may also be untethered or wireless.

A tubular liner has an open proximal end and a closed-end distal area, and a fabric layer continuously defining an exterior surface of the liner without interruption. A polymeric layer having first and second surfaces is bonded to an interior surface of the fabric layer. A seam is formed by opposed sides of the fabric layer joined together and forming an excess portion directed toward the cavity of the liner. The excess portion is embedded in the polymeric layer.