Prosthetic Sockets: Assessment of Thermal Conductivity

Prosthetic Sockets: Assessment of Thermal Conductivity

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Webber, Christina Marie
Language:English
Published: University of Akron / OhioLINK 2014
Subjects:
Biomechanics
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Research
Engineering
Polymers
prosthetics
thermal conductivity
novel prosthetic socket
socket design
thermal properties
temperature difference
cooling channel
3D printing
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1404224355
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spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-akron14042243552021-08-03T06:25:31Z Prosthetic Sockets: Assessment of Thermal Conductivity Webber, Christina Marie Biomechanics Biomedical Engineering Biomedical Research Engineering Polymers prosthetics thermal conductivity novel prosthetic socket socket design thermal properties temperature difference cooling channel 3D printing Current commercially available prosthetic liners and sockets insulate the residual limb, causing the temperature of the residual limb to increase. As a result, the residual limb sweats excessively, leading to numerous dermatologic conditions. These skin problems can impart physical and psychological burdens on the amputee patient and hinder their rehabilitation process. Overall, this study aimed to aid in the rehabilitation of amputee patients by specifically addressing the cause of the increased residual limb temperatures. This was accomplished in three aims. The first aim focused on quantifying the thermal barrier posed by materials currently used in prosthetic liners and sockets by measuring the materials’ thermal conductivities. All materials were shown to be significant insulators. The second aim approached the problem of increased temperatures by modifying a prosthetic socket, then using computer simulations to observe the temperature difference between the inner and outer socket walls. Three sockets were modeled: two modified sockets, each containing a cooling channel 0.5 cm in diameter; and a control socket. A greater temperature drop across the socket wall suggested that the socket could provide cooling benefits to the residual limb by allowing for heat to be drawn away from the limb, towards the cooling channels. Socket type and location on the socket were statistically significant factors affecting the predicted temperature difference. This finding suggests that modifications of a prosthetic socket could offer a cooling effect to amputee patients. Aim 3 focused on validating that computer simulation from Aim 2. 3D printed prototype sockets were constructed. The socket with the greatest observed average temperature differential was the socket with an eight revolution cooling channel in its wall. This finding suggests that socket modifications, like the cooling channel presented, could provide a cooling effect to the residual limb. Overall, this study showed that future iterations of prosthetic liners and sockets should take the thermal properties of the designs into account to provide the greatest benefit to amputee patients. 2014-09-17 English text University of Akron / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1404224355 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1404224355 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Biomechanics
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Research
Engineering
Polymers
prosthetics
thermal conductivity
novel prosthetic socket
socket design
thermal properties
temperature difference
cooling channel
3D printing
spellingShingle Biomechanics
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Research
Engineering
Polymers
prosthetics
thermal conductivity
novel prosthetic socket
socket design
thermal properties
temperature difference
cooling channel
3D printing
Webber, Christina Marie
Prosthetic Sockets: Assessment of Thermal Conductivity
author Webber, Christina Marie
author_facet Webber, Christina Marie
author_sort Webber, Christina Marie
title Prosthetic Sockets: Assessment of Thermal Conductivity
title_short Prosthetic Sockets: Assessment of Thermal Conductivity
title_full Prosthetic Sockets: Assessment of Thermal Conductivity
title_fullStr Prosthetic Sockets: Assessment of Thermal Conductivity
title_full_unstemmed Prosthetic Sockets: Assessment of Thermal Conductivity
title_sort prosthetic sockets: assessment of thermal conductivity
publisher University of Akron / OhioLINK
publishDate 2014
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1404224355
work_keys_str_mv AT webberchristinamarie prostheticsocketsassessmentofthermalconductivity
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