ACOUSTIC MUFFLER SOCK FOR PROSTHETIC DEVICE LINER OR PROSTHETIC DEVICE

Abstract

An acoustic muffler sock for use with a prosthetic device liner or with a socket of a prosthetic device includes a first sock opening at one end and sound absorbing material designed to inhibit noises that are often created from the liner/amputated limb interaction. The acoustic muffler sock is configured to be positioned over the liner before the liner and the acoustic muffler sock thereon is inserted into the socket for the prosthetic device. The acoustic muffler sock may further comprise a sound barrier material. The muffler can also be part of a sock that goes over the prosthetic device.

Claims

1. An acoustic muffler sock for use with a prosthetic device liner or with a socket of a prosthetic device, the acoustic muffler sock comprising: a first sock opening at one end; and sound absorbing material; wherein the acoustic muffler sock is configured to be positioned over the prosthetic device and the acoustic muffler sock thereon is inserted into or above the liner for the prosthetic device.

2. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 1, further comprising a sound barrier material.

3. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 2, wherein the sound absorbing material and the sound barrier material are formed as separate layers, and wherein the layers are attached to or integral with each other.

4. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 2, wherein the sound absorbing material and the sound barrier material are formed as a blend.

5. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 3, wherein during use, the sound absorbing material layer contacts the prosthetic device and the sound barrier layer faces out from the prosthetic device.

6. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 1, wherein during use, a portion of the sock extends beyond an opening end of the prosthetic device.

7. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 6, wherein during use, the portion of the sock extends beyond an opening end of the prosthetic device and is turned over and tucked into the liner, such that the portion is positioned between an inner liner surface and a user's limb part for attachment.

8. The acoustic muffler sock defined by claim 1, further comprising a second opening on an end of the sock that opposes the first sock opening.

9. A liner for a prosthetic device, comprising: an acoustic muffler sock comprising: a first sock opening at one end; and sound absorbing material; wherein the acoustic muffler sock is configured to be positioned over the prosthetic device before the liner is inserted into the socket for the prosthetic device.

10. An acoustic muffler sock for use with a prosthetic device liner or with a socket of a prosthetic device, the acoustic muffler sock comprising: a first sock opening at one end; and sound absorbing material; wherein the acoustic muffler sock is configured to be positioned over the liner before the liner and the acoustic muffler sock thereon is inserted into the socket for the prosthetic device.

11. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 10, further comprising a sound barrier material.

12. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 11, wherein the sound absorbing material and the sound barrier material are formed respectively as a first layer of sound absorbing material and a first layer of sound absorbing material, and wherein the layers are attached to or integral with each other.

13. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 11, wherein the sound absorbing material and the sound barrier material are formed as a blend.

14. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 12, wherein during use, the sound absorbing material layer contacts the liner and the sound barrier layer contacts some inner part of the socket of the prosthetic device.

15. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 10, wherein during use, a portion of the sock extends beyond an opening end of the liner.

16. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 15, wherein during use, the portion of the sock extending beyond the opening end of the liner is configured to be turned over and tucked into the liner, such that the portion is positioned between an inner liner surface and a user's limb part for attachment.

17. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 10, further comprising a second opening on an end of the sock that opposes the first sock opening.

18. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 12, further comprising a second layer of sound barrier material and wherein the first and second layer of sound barrier material surrounds the first layer of sound absorbing material.

19. The acoustic muffler sock as defined by claim 12, further comprising a second layer of sound absorbing material and wherein the first and second layer of sound absorbing material surrounds the first layer of sound barrier material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0011] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of an inventive acoustic muffler sock of the invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a liner for a residual limb, into which a top of the inventive acoustic muffler sock is positioned or tucked into for intended use;

[0013] FIG. 3A depicts another embodiment of the inventive acoustic muffler sock of the invention;

[0014] FIG. 3B depicts a cross-section of a material from which the embodiment of the acoustic muffler sock of FIG. 3A is formed;

[0015] FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of an acoustic muffler sock of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of an acoustic muffler sock of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 6 depicts a liner to which an acoustic muffler sock, such as depicted in FIG. 4 or 5 is attached; and

[0018] FIG. 7 depicts a prosthetic device configured according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A first embodiment of the inventive acoustic muffler sock is depicted in FIG. 1. As shown therein, the acoustic muffler sock 10 is an entire sock that is comprised of sound absorbing material. The sound absorbing material may be any type of material or combination of materials that absorbs sound energy. The top 12 of the acoustic muffler sock 10, positioned proximate sock opening 14 is either tucked into a liner for a residual limb, such as a liner 20 shown in FIG. 2, with an attachment segment 26 or extends above and beyond the upper or open end 24 of the liner 20. In the embodiment shown, the acoustic muffler sock 10 preferably is worn over the liner 20, or over the prosthesis.

[0020] In another embodiment, an acoustic muffler sock 10 is depicted in FIG. 3A. As shown therein, the entire sock is comprised of sound absorbing and barrier material. FIG. 3B depicts an embodiment of the material from which the material from which the sock 10 of FIG. 3A is formed. That is, the sock 10 comprises sound absorbing material 16 and a sound barrier material 18. The sound absorbing material 16 may be any type of material or combination of materials that absorbs sound energy. The barrier material 18 may be something as simple as one thin layer or more of Lumitex distributed by SoundSense, or any sound barrier product with the required transmission loss in the frequencies of disturbance to inhibit the disturbing noise from exiting through the liner and prosthesis prior to that sound reaching the top of the acoustic muffler sock.

[0021] The barrier material 18 may comprise a moldable loaded vinyl, or like barrier material. Preferably, the layer of sound barrier material 18 is configured as an outer layer, but the invention is not limited thereto. Moreover, the invention may comprise two layers of barrier material surrounding a layer of sound absorbing material or two layers of sound absorbing material surround a layer of sound barrier material. The top of the acoustic muffler sock 10 is either tucked into a liner for a residual limb, or extends above and beyond the liner. In the embodiment shown, the acoustic muffler sock 10 preferably is worn over the liner 20.

[0022] In another embodiment, an acoustic muffler sock 30 is depicted in FIG. 4. The acoustic muffler sock 30 includes an attachment segment 32 proximate lower opening 38 but includes a second opening at the muffler top. The muffler 30 is attached to the top of a liner 20, also depicted in FIG. 4. For that matter, acoustic muffler sock 30 may be attached directly to a sock, a prosthesis, a liner, or prosthesis socket. This acoustic muffler sock embodiment 30 is comprised of sound absorbing material that may be any type of material or combination of materials that absorbs sound energy; A bottom portion 32 of this acoustic muffler sock 30 is tucked into the liner or is attached to attachment segment 26 and extends above the liner. In the embodiment shown, the acoustic muffler sock 30 preferably is worn above the liner 20.

[0023] In another embodiment, an acoustic muffler sock 30 is depicted in FIG. 5. Like the acoustic muffler sock 30 (FIG. 4), the acoustic muffler sock 30 includes an attachment segment 32 proximate lower opening 38 and includes a second opening at the muffler top. The acoustic muffler sock 30 is configured to be attached to the top of a liner 20, a sock (not shown), a prosthesis, or a prosthesis socket (see FIG. 7). This acoustic muffler sock 30 is comprised of sound absorbing material 16 and barrier material 18. The sound absorbing material 16 may be any type of material or combination of materials that absorbs sound energy.

[0024] The barrier may be something as simple as one thin layer or more of Lumitex distributed by SoundSense, or any product with the required transmission loss in the frequencies of disturbance to inhibit the disturbing noise from exiting through the liner and prosthesis prior to that sound reaching the top of the acoustic muffler sock, such as a moldable loaded vinyl, without limitation. The top of acoustic muffler sock is tucked into the liner or is attached to the attachment segment 26 and extends above the liner. In the embodiment shown, the acoustic muffler sock 30 preferably is worn above the liner 20.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows a liner 20 to which a muffler sock 30 or 30 is attached at the top where the top portion 32 is not folded in. The sound absorbing acoustic muffler sock 10, 10 and acoustic muffler sock 30, 30 are adhered to or are otherwise arranged to be integral with at least a part of a surface of the liner 20 or the prosthesis to which a user's limb portion is to be attached. The means to effect such adherence or connection may be any means known to a person of ordinary skill in the art for adhering, attaching, sewing, or applying one material (for example, the sound absorbing material 16 or the sound barrier material 18, or both where the two materials are formed together as a blend (not shown)), to a surface or a portion of a surface a sheet of material comprising cloth or polymer, from which the liner 20 is typically formed.

[0026] The resulting acoustic muffler sock 10, 10 or acoustic muffler sock 30, 30, with the sound absorbing 16 material or sound absorbing 16/barrier layer 18 material, are preferably flexible so that they may be configured to function as a boundary to unwanted sound, and stay close and preferably tight to the skin and/or liner of the user, so that the sound generated in the confine of the liner or prosthetic socket or device is forced to travel thru the muffler before exiting the sides, top or opening. This is inclusive of allowing the sock to be of any color or design that the amputee feels best suits their liking.

[0027] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the invention provides a prosthetic device 60, including a socket portion 62, for attaching to a remainder portion of a limb (not shown) from which another portion has been amputated. The inventive prosthetic device 60 comprises, among other elements, a liner 20 and an acoustic muffler sock 10, 10, 30, 30 for attachment directly to the liner 20, or the prosthetic device 60 (the socket 62 in particular) or both. As explained above, the acoustic muffler sock comprises sound absorbing material 16, and may further comprise a sound barrier material. The acoustic muffler sock is preferably formed with one layer of the sound absorbing material and one layer of sound barrier material, with the barrier layer being an outer layer. However, the barrier layer may be sandwiched between two sound absorbing layers. For particular applications the sock may be formed with multiple layers or sound absorbing and sound barrier materials. For that matter, and as explained above, the sock may be formed as a blend of sound absorbing and sound barrier material. The blend preferably comprises a range of 40 to 95 weight percent sound absorbing material and 5 to 60 percent of sound barrier material, but preferably 85% and 15% by weight of sound absorbing and sound barrier material, respectively. As shown, the acoustic muffler sock is configured to be positioned over the liner 20 before the liner 20 and the acoustic muffler sock 10, 10, 30, 30 thereon is/are inserted into the socket portion 62 of the prosthetic device.

[0028] As will be evident to persons skilled in the art, the foregoing detailed description, applications and figures are presented as examples of the invention, and that variations are contemplated that do not depart from the fair scope of the teachings and descriptions set forth in this disclosure.