Patent ID: 8317873

Claim:
A controlled-stretch prosthetic liner for use as a standalone residual limb-prosthetic socket interface, comprising: a fabric covering having an open end for introduction of a residual limb and a closed end opposite said open, said fabric covering further comprising: a stretch-controlling fabric portion extending from said closed end, said stretch-controlling fabric having a limited stretch direction with a range of elasticity of between about 10-40%, a non-limited stretch direction with a range of elasticity of between about 70-250%, and a modulus in the non-limited stretch direction of between about 0.5-12.0 lbf., said stretch-controlling fabric oriented such that said limited stretch direction is directed along the length of said liner, and a two-way stretch fabric portion joined to said stretch-controlling fabric portion, said two-way stretch fabric portion located to overlie a joint of a residual limb when said liner is worn, said two-way stretch fabric portion comprised of a fabric having a range of elasticity of between about 70-250% in both directions and a 50% modulus of between about 0.9-11.25 lbf.; a continuous layer of a cushioning and shape-conforming polymeric material residing on only an interior surface of said fabric covering, said polymeric material extending from said closed end of said fabric covering at least a distance that is substantially equivalent to the depth of a prosthetic socket with which said covering will be used; and a docking element located at the closed end of said fabric covering for attaching the liner to a socket portion of a prosthetic limb; whereby, when said liner is used by an amputee with a prosthetic limb, said stretch-controlling fabric portion of said fabric covering will act to limit longitudinal stretching of said liner while said two-way stretch fabric portion of said fabric covering will concurrently permit adequate flexion of a joint of the amputee's residual limb.