Summary of Responses for Liner Repair

Summary of Responses for Liner Repair

Troy Stevenson, Prosthetic Technician

Here are the replies to my original posting. I have also had several
inquiries on how we have successfully repaired Iceross liners. I have
included that at the bottom. Thank you to all that have responded.

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Original Post:

We have a bilateral bk male patient who received two USMC Luxury Liner
suspension sleeves (one for each limb). He got these approx. 6 months ago.
He has notified us that both of them have torn the urethane and outer fabric
material. He does not have any medical insurance nor financial means to buy
new ones. We have repaired torn Iceross silicone sleeves with good results,
but have not had any success with these type of liners. Does anyone have any
suggestions for repairing these type of liners? Any help would be
appreciated.

Thank you in advance.
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Responses:

I am happy, with permission, to repost your query to AMP-L to see if any
amputees on the list have had success with these liners.

Wayne Richardson


I believe USMC luxury liners and Alpha liners are both made of thermoplastic
elastomer not urethane. It would be better to talk to either company about
how to repair the liner. Both liners contain a fair amount of mineral oil
which, I would think, make them harder to repair that silcone or other
materials.

Craig MacKenzie, RTP ©
Director of Research and Development
TEC Interface Systems


I understand the Luxury Liner is like an Alpha liner and is not silicone. I
have repaired small tears with Goop. It goes under trade name of Goop or
Shoe Goo and is a urethane glue. You can glue fabric to the outside of the
liners with it to reinforce the gel. Don't use too thick of a layer or it
will desolve the liner. I have had the best results with a thin coat, a piece
of fabric then a plastic bag to smash it all together. Let it dry overnight
and it might work. By the way, OWW would tell you there is probably a lack
of total contact over the area of the tear which caused it in the first place
so you might check your socket for this. I hope it helps.

Wayne Daly, CPO
Seattle


Cole- The material in these liners is not urethane, but rather is a
thermoplastic. With great care, it can be heated and melted.

Ted A. Trower, C.P.O.



Your problem in trying to repair these types of liners is the material that
they are made of is a thermo-plastic elastomer which has a lot of fillers
which causes this to be a product which nothing will bond to.

Steve Smith
Director of Technical Services
Jim Smith Sales


I believe that is the same material as the Alpha Liner. You might check with
them (OWW or USMC who distributes the luxury liner). Probably a poor choice
of liners for someone without insurance to begin with. Ossur is coming out
with a silicone (Duraliner) that is made out of silicone so it may be
sturdier. It will have the same dimensions as the Alpha so it may be a good
replacement. (I have no first hand knowledge of this, but good luck)

Mark Benveiste, CP


As these are made by OWW, you should be able to repair them just like an
Alpha liner, which can be done with a hot iron on the cloth side of the
liner. If the tear is all the way through, you can trim some gel from a
scrap piece, place it in the tear, then use the iron to melt it all together.
 It is a time consuming process, but fairly effective. You will also end up
with a thin gel layer on the cloth side, which you can rub and it will ball
up and come off after it cools. Make sure you heat it until the jell comes
through the cloth, or it will not last very long before separating from the
cloth again. Hope this helps.

Steve Hoover, CP
Ypsilanti, MI


The liners are only 6 months old, anyone thought of a warranty claim?

John Hattingh CP


Why don't you ask USMC if they have any seconds, liners not quite up to
standards for sale, for patient without insurance.

Wendy

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In response to those who have asked how we repair Iceross liners:

In regards to the repairing the iceross liners, Ossur sells Adhesive Silicone
in 8 gram tubes. We get it from PEL Supply, but I am sure any Ossur
distributor sells it. I have repaired probably a half a dozen this way,
including large tears. What I do is take PVA tape, and but the tear on one
side of the liner and put back pieces exactly how you want them. Then take
this silicone and put it right on the crack. Then take PVA tape and put it
over the silicone bead over the crack to smooth it out. Once you do this,
remove the PVA tape from the other side, and put silicone on that side, then
place PVA tape over that. You need to be careful that there are no air
bubbles in the crack. Let it set for a couple hours for a complete cure,
take of PVA tape and it is strong as original. It works really well. You
do need to be careful and take your time, don't rush it. Also, do not use
too much silicone, because it will leave a thick bead where you repaired it
that the patient will feel.