Abstract: The method of making a tubular member having a continuous and uninterrupted cured elastomeric resin coating on an outer surface of the member includes forming a continuous uninterrupted tubular layer of uncured elastomeric resin and drawing the resin layer against the surface of the tubular member to be coated by applying suction between the resin layer and the surface of the tubular member so that the resin adheres to the surface of the tubular member. The elastomeric resin may then be cured to produce the final product. Apparatus for carrying out the process includes, in sequence, a coating zone including a sub-atmospheric chamber, a heating zone and a feed mechanism for advancing the tubular member relative to the coating and heating zones. A method includes molding a distal end cap on an open end of a length of a preformed tubular sleeve member that may be used for prosthetic applications.

Abstract: Prosthetic liner formed of a molded silicone elastomer material including an inner wall, a circular outer wall having radii of curvature centered along a first longitudinal axis of external symmetry extending longitudinally centrally within the liner, the inner wall including a circular curved inside anterior wall portion extending along a liner length and having first radii of curvature centered on a second longitudinal axis of anterior curvature extending longitudinally along the liner length and a circular curved inside posterior wall portion having a second radii of curvature centered on a third longitudinal axis of posterior curvature extending along said liner length.

Abstract: A composite elastic material useful for prosthetic applications is constituted of at least one cured silicone elastomer layer containing silicone oil and hollow microspheres dispersed throughout the elastomer layer. An elasticized fabric layer may be intimately bonded to one side of the silicone elastomer layer and the composite elastic material may be incorporated in various prosthetic appliances, including suction liners and sealing sleeves. When used in a suction liner, the composite elastic material may be molded to provide a thicker anterior wall and a thinner posterior wall with a smooth transition between the anterior and posterior walls. The composite elastic material covered with an elasticized fabric may be used as a sealing sleeve between a prosthetic device and a residual limb. The composite elastic material may contain one or more skin treating agents blended into the silicone elastomer.

Abstract: A preform for a prosthetic suspension sleeve includes a tubular sleeve made of an elasticized fabric that is coated on its inner wall with an uninterrupted cured silicone elastomer layer and having a distal end cap molded on and closing a distal end of the elasticized fabric sleeve. A tubular matrix reinforcement element is secured coaxially to the distal end of the sleeve with a portion embedded in the distal end cap and a portion extending freely within a distal end area of the sleeve. Another embodiment of a preform includes a tubular sleeve of elasticized fabric with a tubular matrix reinforcement element secured coaxially to the distal end of the sleeve, the matrix reinforcement element including interlocking fibers arranged so that the reinforcement element is porous and strongly resists elongation in a sleeve longitudinal direction but is readily elastically stretchable in transverse directions.

Abstract: The method of making a tubular member having a continuous and uninterrupted cured elastomeric resin coating on an outer surface of the member includes forming a continuous uninterrupted tubular layer of uncured elastomeric resin and drawing the resin layer against the surface of the tubular member to be coated by applying suction between the resin layer and the surface of the tubular member so that the resin adheres to the surface of the tubular member. The elastomeric resin may then be cured to produce the final product. Apparatus for carrying out the process is disclosed and includes, in sequence, a coating zone including a sub-atmospheric chamber, a heating zone and a feed mechanism for advancing the tubular member relative to the coating and heating zones. A method is also disclosed for molding a distal end cap on an open end of a length of a preformed tubular sleeve member that may be used for prosthetic applications.

Abstract: The method of making a tubular member having a continuous and uninterrupted cured elastomeric resin coating on an outer surface of the member includes forming a continuous uninterrupted tubular layer of uncured elastomeric resin and drawing the resin layer against the surface of the tubular member to be coated by applying suction between the resin layer and the surface of the tubular member so that the resin adheres to the surface of the tubular member. The elastomeric resin may then be cured to produce the final product. Apparatus for carrying out the process is disclosed and includes, in sequence, a coating zone including a sub-atmospheric chamber, a heating zone and a feed mechanism for advancing the tubular member relative to the coating and heating zones. A method is also disclosed for molding a distal end cap on an open end of a length of a preformed tubular sleeve member that may be used for prosthetic applications.

Abstract: The method of making a tubular member having a continuous and uninterrupted cured elastomeric resin coating on an outer surface of the member includes forming a continuous uninterrupted tubular layer of uncured elastomeric resin and drawing the resin layer against the surface of the tubular member to be coated by applying suction between the resin layer and the surface of the tubular member so that the resin adheres to the surface of the tubular member. The elastomeric resin may then be cured to produce the final product. Apparatus for carrying out the process is disclosed and includes, in sequence, a coating zone including a sub-atmospheric chamber, a heating zone and a feed mechanism for advancing the tubular member relative to the coating and heating zones. A method is also disclosed for molding a distal end cap on an open end of a length of a preformed tubular sleeve member that may be used for prosthetic applications.

Abstract: The method of making a tubular member having a continuous and uninterrupted cured elastomeric resin coating on an outer surface of the member includes forming a continuous uninterrupted tubular layer of uncured elastomeric resin and drawing the resin layer against the surface of the tubular member to be coated by applying suction between the resin layer and the surface of the tubular member so that the resin adheres to the surface of the tubular member. The elastomeric resin may then be continuously heated and cured to produce the final product. Apparatus for carrying out the process is disclosed and includes, in sequence, a coating zone including a sub-atmospheric chamber, a heating zone and a feed mechanism for advancing the tubular member relative to the coating and heating zones.

Abstract: The method of making a tubular member having a continuous and uninterrupted cured elastomeric resin coating on an outer surface of the member includes forming a continuous uninterrupted tubular layer of uncured elastomeric resin and drawing the resin layer against the surface of the tubular member to be coated by applying suction between the resin layer and the surface of the tubular member so that the resin adheres to the surface of the tubular member. The elastomeric resin may then be cured to produce the final product. Apparatus for carrying out the process is disclosed and includes, in sequence, a coating zone including a sub-atmospheric chamber, a heating zone and a feed mechanism for advancing the tubular member relative to the coating and heating zones. A method is also disclosed for molding a distal end cap on an open end of a length of a preformed tubular sleeve member that may be used for prosthetic applications.

Abstract: A composite elastic material useful for prosthetic applications is constituted of at least one cured silicone elastomer layer containing silicone oil and hollow microspheres dispersed throughout the elastomer layer. An elasticized fabric layer may be intimately bonded to one side of the silicone elastomer layer and the composite elastic material may be incorporated in various prosthetic appliances, including suction liners and sealing sleeves. When used in a suction liner, the composite elastic material may be molded to provide a thicker anterior wall and a thinner posterior wall with a smooth transition between the anterior and posterior walls. The composite elastic material covered with an elasticized fabric may be used as a sealing sleeve between a prosthetic device and a residual limb. The composite elastic material may contain one or more skin treating agents blended into the silicone elastomer.