Thermal Residual Limb Manikin to Test Novel Cooling Technologies for Prosthetic Sockets
2013 ◽
Keyword(s):
Heat and perspiration inside the prosthesis cause discomfort and adherence problems for lower limb amputees. To bench test new prosthetic socket interventions, we developed a thermal residual limb manikin (TRLM) and used it to compare two novel cooling technologies: (1) a vacuum pump which provides ventilation across the skin (FLOW) and (2) a liquid cooling sleeve (SLEEVE). Power to maintain TRLM core temperature was measured to indicate cooling effectiveness. Power increased by 7% and 8% after 90 minutes of convective cooling and evaporative cooling, respectively, with the FLOW system. Power increased by 28% with the SLEEVE system.