Patent ID: 8216170

Claim:
A spacer element for use in an orthopedic or prosthetic device, the spacer element having first and second outer surfaces defined on opposed first and second sides, respectively, of the spacer element, the spacer element comprising: a three-dimensional knit fabric layer defining first and second fabric layers spaced by a ventilated and compressible core, the first fabric layer being a fabric mesh having a plurality of uniformly spaced apertures arranged in a pattern; a discrete and continuous web-like frictional layer defined as a sheet of silicone elastomer laminated onto the first fabric layer, the discrete and continuous web-like frictional layer having a plurality of apertures arranged in a pattern, the pattern of the discrete and continuous web-like frictional layer apertures are in direct correspondence to the pattern of the first fabric layer apertures; and a compressible material layer having opposed first and second surfaces, the compressible material layer first surface secured to the second fabric layer, the compressible material layer having a first compression molded region with reduced thickness and increased density relative to a second region of the compressible material layer having a predetermined thickness; wherein the spacer element includes a transitional region extending about at least a portion of periphery of the spacer element, the compressible material layer being compressed over the transitional region and the three-dimensional knit fabric layer being only minimally compressed over the transitional region.