Adjustable seal system, seal component and method for using the same

Abstract

An adjustable seal system includes a seal component having a body having an outer surface defining a socket sealing portion arranged to engage and form an airtight seal with an interior surface of a prosthetic socket. The inner surface of the body defines a liner sealing portion arranged to frictionally engage and seal with an outer surface of a prosthetic liner. The liner sealing portion defines a sealing length extending in a proximal direction from an end of the socket sealing portion and terminating at a proximal edge on the body. The length of the liner sealing portion is between about 25 mm and about 35 mm and is selected in relation to the socket sealing portion to vary tractions at the inner and outer surfaces of the seal component.

1 . An adjustable seal system for providing an interface between a residual limb and a prosthetic socket, the adjustable seal system comprising:
 a seal component arranged for removably securing to an outer surface of a prosthetic liner, the seal component including:
 a body having open upper and lower ends and an inner surface defining an opening therethrough, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; 
 a socket sealing portion on the outer surface of the body and arranged to engage and form an airtight seal with an interior surface of the prosthetic socket; and 
 a liner sealing portion on the inner surface of the body arranged to frictionally engage and seal with the outer surface of the prosthetic liner; 
   wherein the socket sealing portion comprises at least one seal element spaced by a clearance from the outer surface of the body of the seal component;   wherein the body defines one or more raised portions radially positioned between the at least one seal element and a body profile of the outer surface of the body, the one or more raised portions being configured to create channels for airflow between the at least one seal element and the body profile.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing length of the liner sealing portion is about 30 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing length of the liner sealing portion is between about 1.2 and 1.3 times greater than a sealing length of the socket sealing portion defined between the end of the socket sealing portion comprising a proximal end and a distal end of the socket sealing portion. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 1 , wherein the socket sealing portion comprising a plurality of seal elements formed on the outer surface of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 4 , comprising a plurality of grips rings formed on the body and extending circumferentially about the outer surface of the body between the seal elements, the plurality of grip rings configured to enhance traction between the seal component and the interior surface of the prosthetic socket. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 1 , wherein the socket sealing portion comprises at least one seal element cantilevered from a connection point connecting the at least one seal element to the outer surface of the body. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 6 , wherein the connection point comprises the end of the socket sealing portion on the outer surface of the body such that the liner sealing portion on the inner surface of the body extends between the proximal edge of the body and the connection point. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 1 , wherein the liner sealing portion comprises an interior wall forming at least part of the inner surface of the body, and the proximal edge on the body comprises an upper free end of the interior wall. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 1 , wherein the liner sealing portion defines a sealing length extending in a proximal direction from an end of the socket sealing portion and terminating at a proximal edge on the body. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 9 , wherein the sealing length of the liner sealing portion is between about 25 mm and about 35 mm and selected in relation to the socket sealing portion to vary tractions at the inner and outer surfaces of the body of the seal component. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more raised portions comprise a linear protrusion extending in a direction between the open upper and lower ends of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more raised portions comprise a plurality of linear protrusions extending in a direction between the open upper and lower ends of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more raised portions comprise a plurality of linear protrusions extending in an oblique direction between the open upper and lower ends of the body. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the body includes an interior wall connected to a lower section of the body and defining a variable space between the interior wall and the body. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 14 , wherein a distal portion of a prosthetic sock is positionable and securable in the variable space between the body and the interior wall. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one seal element includes first and second seal elements formed on the outer surface of the body and radially protruding relative to an axis of the liner sealing portion and from a body profile of the body;
 wherein at least one grip ring is formed on the body and extends circumferentially about the outer surface of the body, the at least one grip ring is located only in a gap defined between the first and second seal elements relative to the axis of the liner sealing portion;   wherein the at least one grip ring has a radially shorter configuration in relation to the first and second seal elements such that the first and second seal elements have a radially extending peak defined as the outermost portion of the first and second seal elements and extending beyond the at least one grip ring in a radial direction relative to the axis of the liner sealing portion;   wherein the at least one grip ring is configured to maintain a position of a radial peak of the first and second seal elements extending away from the body profile of the body when the first and second seal elements are deflected toward the body profile, the at least one grip ring is positioned in the gap such that as the peak of a seal element resiliently deflects toward the body profile, a proximal section or a distal section of the first or second seal element engages the at least one of the grip ring before reaching the body profile, thereby maintaining the peak a distance radially from the body profile.   
     
     
         17 . An adjustable seal system comprising:
 a prosthetic socket;   a prosthetic liner adapted to provide an interface between a residual limb and the prosthetic socket; and   a seal component arranged for removably securing to an outer surface of the prosthetic liner, the seal component including:
 a body having open upper and lower ends and an inner surface defining an opening therethrough, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; 
 a socket sealing portion on the outer surface and arranged to engage and form an airtight seal with an interior surface of the prosthetic socket; and 
 a liner sealing portion on the inner surface of the body proximal to the socket sealing portion and arranged to frictionally engage and seal on the outer surface of the prosthetic liner, the liner sealing portion defining a sealing length extending in a proximal direction from an end of the socket sealing portion on the body and terminating at the open upper end of the body; 
   wherein the socket sealing portion comprises at least one seal element spaced by a clearance from the outer surface of the body of the seal component;   wherein the body defines one or more raised portions radially positioned between the at least one seal element and a body profile of the outer surface of the body, the one or more raised portions being configured to create channels for airflow between the at least one seal element and the body profile.   
     
     
         18 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 17 , wherein the sealing length of the liner sealing portion being between about 25 mm and about 35 mm and selected in relation to the socket sealing portion to vary tractions at the inner and outer surfaces of the body of the seal component. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable seal system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one seal element includes first and second seal elements formed on the outer surface of the body and radially protruding relative to an axis of the liner sealing portion and from a body profile of the body;
 wherein at least one grip ring is formed on the body and extends circumferentially about the outer surface of the body, the at least one grip ring is located only in a gap defined between the first and second seal elements relative to the axis of the liner sealing portion;   wherein the at least one grip ring has a radially shorter configuration in relation to the first and second seal elements such that the first and second seal elements have a radially extending peak defined as the outermost portion of the first and second seal elements and extending beyond the at least one grip ring in a radial direction relative to the axis of the liner sealing portion;   wherein the at least one grip ring is configured to maintain a position of a radial peak of the first and second seal elements extending away from the body profile of the body when the first and second seal elements are deflected toward the body profile, the at least one grip ring is positioned in the gap such that as the peak of a seal element resiliently deflects toward the body profile, a proximal section or a distal section of the first or second seal element engages the at least one of the grip ring before reaching the body profile, thereby maintaining the peak a distance radially from the body profile.   
     
     
         20 . An adjustable seal system for providing an interface between a residual limb and a prosthetic socket, the adjustable seal system comprising:
 a seal component arranged for removably securing to an outer surface of a prosthetic liner, the seal component including:
 a body having open upper and lower ends and an inner surface defining an opening therethrough, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; 
 a socket sealing portion on the outer surface of the body and arranged to engage and form an airtight seal with an interior surface of the prosthetic socket; and 
 a liner sealing portion on the inner surface of the body arranged to frictionally engage and seal with the outer surface of the prosthetic liner; 
   wherein the at least one seal element includes first and second seal elements formed on the outer surface of the body and radially protruding relative to an axis of the liner sealing portion and from a body profile of the body;   wherein at least one grip ring is formed on the body and extends circumferentially about the outer surface of the body, the at least one grip ring is located only in a gap defined between the first and second seal elements relative to the axis of the liner sealing portion;   wherein the at least one grip ring has a radially shorter configuration in relation to the first and second seal elements such that the first and second seal elements have a radially extending peak defined as the outermost portion of the first and second seal elements and extending beyond the at least one grip ring in a radial direction relative to the axis of the liner sealing portion;   wherein the at least one grip ring is configured to maintain a position of a radial peak of the first and second seal elements extending away from the body profile of the body when the first and second seal elements are deflected toward the body profile, the at least one grip ring is positioned in the gap such that as the peak of a seal element resiliently deflects toward the body profile, a proximal section or a distal section of the first or second seal element engages the at least one of the grip ring before reaching the body profile, thereby maintaining the peak a distance radially from the body profile.