Cooling system and method for a prosthetic socket
Inventors
Myers, Ryan • LeRoy, Kristen • Cohen, Ian • Hirschman, Gordon B. • Hunt, Thane R. • Keough, Kevin E. • Luna, Carlos Martinez • Farrell, Todd R. • Johansson, Jennifer L. • LaBrecque, Brendan
Assignees
LIBERATING TECHNOLOGIES Inc • Vivonics Inc
Publication Number
US-11364142-B2
Publication Date
2022-06-21
Expiration Date
2037-05-09
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Abstract
A prosthetic socket cooling system and method includes a thermally conductive heat spreader including a curved shaped portion configured to maximize contact with a residual limb of a user. A heat extraction subsystem is coupled through a wall of the prosthetic socket and to the thermally conductive heat spreader and is configured to maintain a desired temperature inside the prosthetic socket.
Core Innovation
The invention features a prosthetic socket cooling system that includes a thermally conductive heat spreader with a curved shaped portion designed to maximize contact with a residual limb of a user. This heat spreader is coupled through a wall of the prosthetic socket to a heat extraction subsystem configured to maintain a desired temperature inside the prosthetic socket.
The heat spreader is preferably made of a high thermally conductive material such as copper, aluminum, graphite, or stainless steel, and is shaped to conform to the residual limb to efficiently transfer heat. The heat extraction subsystem may include a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), a heat sink, and a fan to extract heat from the heat spreader and dissipate it into the environment, thus reducing the temperature inside the socket.
The system includes a controller subsystem connected to various temperature sensors, accelerometers, and a user interface, enabling active regulation of the TEC and fan based on measured or estimated skin temperature, ambient temperature, motion activity, and user-defined temperature set points. Multiple control loop algorithms (Modes A, B, and C) are described for optimizing cooling performance while minimizing power consumption.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains two independent system claims and two independent method claims, each describing main inventive features related to cooling a prosthetic socket using a thermally conductive heat spreader and heat extraction subsystems.
Thermally conductive heat spreader with curved shape for residual limb contact
A single layer solid sheet of a thermally conductive material curved around a single axis to form a curved shaped portion configured to maximize contact with the outer circumference of the residual limb of a user, placed around a portion of the residual limb's outer circumference away from the distal end.
Heat extraction subsystem coupled through prosthetic socket wall
A heat extraction subsystem coupled through the prosthetic socket wall and to the thermally conductive heat spreader, configured to maintain a desired temperature inside the prosthetic socket; the subsystem may include a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) of predetermined shape and surface area, a heat sink, and a fan to urge air over the heat sink.
Controller subsystem with sensor-based temperature regulation
A controller subsystem configured to operate the TEC and/or fan based on signals from a user interface, one or more temperature sensors, and/or one or more accelerometers; it adjusts cooling temperature to maintain desired intra-socket temperature using measured skin temperature, TEC hot-side and cold-side temperatures, ambient temperature, motion activity, and user set point temperatures.
Thermally conductive adapter between heat spreader and heat extraction subsystem
A thermally conductive adapter having a curved surface on one side matching the curved heat spreader portion and a flat surface on the other side matching the TEC’s surface to improve thermal transfer between components.
Multiple heat extraction subsystems coupled to a single heat spreader
A system including a plurality of smaller heat extraction subsystems coupled through the socket wall and to the thermally conductive heat spreader, sized to maximize contact, possibly arranged at mid-location, each including a TEC, heat sink, and fan, and operated collectively by the controller subsystem.
Method of cooling prosthetic socket using heat spreader and heat extraction subsystem
Methods of placing a curved thermally conductive heat spreader in contact with the residual limb, coupling a heat extraction subsystem through the socket wall to the heat spreader, and operating the subsystem to drive heat from inside the prosthetic socket to the environment to maintain a desired temperature.
The claims cover a prosthetic socket cooling system using a curved thermally conductive heat spreader engaged with the residual limb and a heat extraction subsystem with TECs and fans, controlled by sensor inputs and user settings to maintain target temperature, including configurations with single or multiple heat extraction subsystems, and methods for operating such systems.
Stated Advantages
The system effectively reduces elevated temperatures inside the prosthetic socket, improving comfort and reducing potential skin problems such as folliculitis, friction blisters, and bacterial infections.
The curved heat spreader design maximizes contact with the residual limb, enhancing heat transfer and improving the coefficient of performance (CoP) of the thermoelectric cooler, leading to lower power consumption.
The controller subsystem allows active temperature regulation based on multiple sensor inputs and user preferences, optimizing cooling performance and battery life.
The use of multiple small heat extraction subsystems allows for conforming to the residual limb shape with improved cooling capacity and flexibility.
Documented Applications
Cooling of prosthetic sockets worn by amputees to maintain desired intra-socket temperature and reduce thermal discomfort during use.
Use in civilian and military populations to improve comfort and usability of prosthetic limbs.
Application of thermal management in prosthetic limbs with embedded thermoelectric cooling and sensor-based active temperature control.
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