Hx of liner, responses 2

Hx of liner, responses 2

Ben Lucas

8/24/2008

You need to talk to Karl Fillauer as he was involved with the first locking
liners and Ossur Christianson back then.

Response 2

I don't know if this helps, but I used Ipos silicone to make liners. I even
tried to make the bony prominences of a hard socket with pockets of silicone
built into the hard socket without any liner. Ipos said I was the biggest
user of their silicone when I was at PRS in Seattle, working on the seattle
foot. The liners worked well and you could customize the durometer
(softness or density) at any area of the liner. I decided the smart thing
to do would be to put harder silicone over soft tissue areas and build up
softer silicone over the hard bony areas. The distal end was also soft.
Making a socket with pockets of silicone over bony prominences did not work
because of the sharp perimeter edges around the silicone, but I should have
tried a 1/16 plastic liner in conjunction with this.
The most important thing in the field is EFFICIENCY. A heavy liner will not
increase efficiently like an energy storing foot, but it increases weight
bearing efficiency, meaning you can put more weight or force for lets say
running, on the socket and therefore become more efficient in function.
Weight in the pendulum effect is far outweighed by efficiency of mobility.
The seattle foot was heavy, but more appreciated the higher the amputation
level, because the higher the level, the more energy it took to be mobile.
This would apply to liners as well. More functional heavier liners should
make mobility more efficient and the cost benefit ratio should be in their
favor.

Hope all is well and the residency has been a great experience. As you are
aware the pin suspension and locks were developed by Carlton Fillauer, CPO
(now practicing at Pearly Gates O&P). Since Carlton is not available,
speak to Charles Pritham, CPO. Charlie worked closely with Carlton Fillauer
in the development of the 3S liner and shuttle locks systems in the late
80's early 90's Fran Here at Fillauer may also be able to assist you with
some early photos and I can send you a copy of the 3S system course
materials. My contact is at the bottom and you can contact Charlie at -

I have at one time or another worn most of the soft interface liners so if
there is any way I can help let me know.
BTW- A few years back I ran across an old advertisement for a soft interface
from the early 1900's made from bees wax and horse hair covered with
leather. The amputees limb would warm the bee's wax enough for it to flow
and the horse hair provided a matrix to keep it in place. Not sure if I
could find it again but it was quite innovative for the time and worth
mentioning if you could find the info.

Perhaps two good resources regarding historical information in prosthetic
suspension are:
Jeffrey Reznick - he did his doctoral work related to the history of
prosthetics. He now works at a medical device museum in Washington, D.C.
Perhaps you can do a google search or ask other O&Ps if they may have his
contact information.
John Michael - his email is <Email Address Redacted>

Contact Ohio Willow Wood and or look in the front of one of their catalogs
for their history.

I read with great interest the description of your article regarding the
history of prosthetic interfaces. As you are probably aware, Ohio
Willow Wood has been involved in the development, manufacturing, and
distribution of soft gel liners for many years. Our involvement began
in the early 90's when we were approach by an inventor/amputee named
Bruce Kania who developed the first fabric covered gel liner. Mr. Kania
has numerous patents related to fabric covered gel liners including US
Pats 5603122, 5830237, 6964688, and 7291182, all of which are licensed
to Ohio Willow Wood. Under these licenses, Ohio Willow Wood introduced
the following liner products: Alpha Original Liners (1996), Alpha Spirit
Liners (2001), Alpha AK Liners (2002), Alpha Max Liners (2003), Alpha
P-POD Pediatric Liners (2003), Alpha Design Custom Liners (2005), and
Alpha Upper Extremity Liners (2006).
I'm very interested in hearing how your project progresses. Please keep
me informed regarding your progress and when you will present your
report.

You must keep in mind the correct clasification of materials.
Gel is very vague - chances are that early fishing lure material is a TPE.

I believe my father made the first silicone gel lined socket. He made a
2-piece mold and injected silicone. It was adhered to the socket, rather
than removable. It was for an active, complicated unilateral trans-tibial
amputee; severe trauma, very short tibia, no fibula, adhered skin graft 75%
RL. My father, one of the founding Prosthetists in the University of
Michigan Prosthetics & Orthotics department worked in developing the
Michigan silicone gel liner.

The kemblo/leather liner (predecessor to the 70s pelite) came into use about
1960 with the advent of the PTB socket. it took about 2 hours to make one.
Then you laminated a socket (4110) and you prayed it fit! There were no test
sockets then!
Prior to that molded leather sockets were used in conventional BKs from the
40s. Winkley in Minneapolis was instrumental in their devolopement.

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