Socket liner incorporating sensors to monitor amputee progress
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A socket liner for receiving a limb of an amputee, the socket liner comprising:
- a liner in the shape of a tubular body having a longitudinal axis that extends from a closed distal end of the liner to an open proximal end of the liner, wherein;
the liner is generally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis,the liner has an inner and an outer layer, andthe outer layer serves to provide an interface between the inner layer and a socket; and
a physiological sensor configured to receive data from a limb regarding its physiological characteristics;
the sensor being positioned in a channel formed between the liner inner layer and the liner outer layer;
the sensor including an extending portion that extends outwardly from the open proximal end of the liner in a generally longitudinal direction;
the sensor being in communication with a transmitter; and
the transmitter configured to send data to a receiver to allow an end user to analyze the physiological characteristics of the limb.
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Abstract
Disclosed is a device and method to aid in the monitoring of the health of an amputee'"'"'s limb. The device employs a socket preferably including a liner. The liner may be constructed of an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer is configured to hold a plurality of sensors able to monitor the physiological health of the enclosed limb. The inner layer further employs a transmission device able to receive data from the sensors and send such data to an end user; the end user being a computer, the amputee, or a doctor. Through receipt of such data, the end user is aided in monitoring the health of the limb.
136 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A socket liner for receiving a limb of an amputee, the socket liner comprising:
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a liner in the shape of a tubular body having a longitudinal axis that extends from a closed distal end of the liner to an open proximal end of the liner, wherein; the liner is generally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis, the liner has an inner and an outer layer, and the outer layer serves to provide an interface between the inner layer and a socket; and a physiological sensor configured to receive data from a limb regarding its physiological characteristics; the sensor being positioned in a channel formed between the liner inner layer and the liner outer layer; the sensor including an extending portion that extends outwardly from the open proximal end of the liner in a generally longitudinal direction; the sensor being in communication with a transmitter; and the transmitter configured to send data to a receiver to allow an end user to analyze the physiological characteristics of the limb. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A socket liner for receiving an amputated limb of an amputee, the socket liner comprising:
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an inner liner layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface and having a generally sock-like or sleeve-like configuration to receive, on the interior surface, the amputated limb; an outer liner layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface and having a configuration generally matching that of the inner liner layer, the exterior surface of the outer liner layer receiving a socket; and at least one sensor configured to receive data from the amputated limb regarding its physiological characteristics, the sensor disposed between the exterior surface of the inner liner layer and the interior surface of the outer liner layer, wherein the sensor is disposed in a channel formed between the exterior surface of the inner liner layer and the interior surface of the outer liner layer, and wherein the sensor includes an extending portion that extends outward from an inner liner layer opening in a generally longitudinal direction. - View Dependent Claims (6, 8, 9)
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7. A socket liner for receiving an amputated limb of an amputee, the socket liner comprising:
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a liner body having a generally sock-like or sleeve-like configuration and having an interior surface and an exterior surface; the interior surface configured to receive the amputated limb; the exterior surface having a configuration generally matching that of the interior surface and configured to receive a socket; and a plurality of sensors configured to receive data from the amputated limb regarding its physiological characteristics, the sensor disposed between the exterior surface of the liner body and the interior surface of the liner body, and wherein the sensors comprise elongate strips positioned along a longitudinal axis of the liner body and disposed substantially around a circumference of the liner body. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus comprising:
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an inner liner configured to receive a residual limb of an amputee, wherein the inner liner has the shape of a tubular body with a longitudinal axis that extends from a closed distal end of the inner liner to an open proximal end of the inner liner, and wherein the inner liner is generally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis; an outer liner positionable over the inner liner to define a liner body, the outer liner having an exterior surface configured to receive a socket thereover, such that the outer liner forms an interface between the inner liner and the socket; and a plurality of sensors configured to receive physiological data from the residual limb, the sensors comprising elongate strips positioned along a longitudinal axis of the liner body and disposed substantially around a circumference of the liner body. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for monitoring amputee progress, comprising:
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a liner having an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the liner inner layer is configured to receive a residual limb of an amputee, the outer layer being coupleable with a socket; a plurality of sensors, each sensor being formed as an elongate strip and being able to sense physiological characteristics of the residual limb along substantially its entire length, the sensors being disposed between the inner liner layer and outer liner layer such that the two layers are substantially laminated to each other, the elongate sensors being disposed longitudinally along the body of the liner substantially about the circumference of the liner; and a transmitter configured to send data to a receiver to allow an end user to analyze the physiological characteristics of the residual limb. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification