Skeletal Stabilization Liner System

Abstract

A liner system for reducing motion of a skeletal structure within a limb is described. The liner system includes a liner adapted to be worn over the limb and one or more shims adapted to be pre-placed along a length of the skeletal structure of the limb prior to donning the liner on the limb. The one or more shims each have a durometer, a radial thickness, a width, and a longitudinal dimension configured to compress a target area of soft tissue against the skeletal structure such that motion of the skeletal structure towards a wall of the shim is reduced.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liner system for reducing motion of a skeletal structure within a limb, the skeletal structure being surrounded by soft tissue, the system comprising:
 a liner adapted to be worn over the limb;   one or more shims adapted to be pre-placed along a length of the skeletal structure prior to donning the liner;   wherein the liner is adapted to be worn over the one or more shims when pre-placed on the limb; and   wherein the one or more shims each have a durometer, a radial thickness, a width, and a longitudinal dimension configured to compress a target area of soft tissue against the skeletal structure such that motion of the skeletal structure towards a wall of the shim is reduced.   
     
     
         2 . The liner system of  claim 1 , wherein the shim is a gel. 
     
     
         3 . The liner system of  claim 1 , wherein the liner is adapted to be rolled on the limb and over the one or more shims when pre-placed on the limb. 
     
     
         4 . The liner system of  claim 1 , wherein the liner has an inner surface comprising one or more attachment areas adapted to be worn over the one or more shims when pre-placed on the limb. 
     
     
         5 . The liner system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more shims comprise a discontinuous configuration in which two or more shims are aligned along a length of the skeletal structure. 
     
     
         6 . A method of reducing motion of a skeletal structure within a limb using a liner and one or more shims, the method comprising:
 pre-placing the one or more shims on the limb, orienting a longitudinal dimension of each shim to run along a length of the skeletal structure, and circumferentially spacing each shim around the limb; and   donning the liner on the limb and over the one or more shims;   wherein each of the shims has a durometer, a radial thickness, a width, and a longitudinal dimension configured to compress a target area of soft tissue in the limb against the skeletal structure such that motion of the skeletal structure towards a wall of the shim is reduced.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein each of the shims has a durometer, a radial thickness, a width, and a longitudinal dimension configured to adjust the compression of the target area to account for loss of residual limb volume after a fitting. 
     
     
         8 . A liner system for reducing motion of a skeletal structure within a limb, the skeletal structure being surrounded by soft tissue, the system comprising:
 a liner adapted to be worn over the limb;   one or more packets adapted to be pre-placed along a length of the skeletal structure of the limb prior to donning the liner;   wherein the liner is adapted to be worn over the one or more packets when pre-placed on the limb; and   wherein the one or more packets each have a durometer, a radial thickness, a width, and a longitudinal dimension configured to compress a target area of soft tissue against the skeletal structure such that motion of the skeletal structure towards a wall of the packet is reduced.