A thermal management device for a lower-limb prosthesis. (5th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Han, Yu; Liu, Fan; Dowd, Garrett; Zhe, Jiang
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 82(2015:May)
• Page Start: 246
• Page End: 252
• Publication Date: 2015-05-05
• Subjects: Prosthesis cooling -- Lower-limb prosthesis -- Adjustable thermal resistance -- Air cooling -- Heat pipes -- Thermal management; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.02.078
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Abstract: Excessive heat and the resulted perspiration within a prosthetic socket were the most common causes for reporting a reduced quality of life for prosthesis users. This paper presents a novel thermal management device to maintain a constant skin temperature for a lower-limb prosthesis. To decrease the prosthetic socket's thermal resistance, heat pipes were used to concentrate heat flux from the simulated skin surface to a cooling region on the outer surface of the socket where a compact heat sink was attached. A small fan was used to convect heat from the heat sink to the ambient surroundings. Thermal resistance of the cooling device was adjusted to match various thermal loads by changing the fan power. Experiments showed that cooling capacity of the prototype device ranges from 2.1 W to 7.0 W at an ambient temperature of 23.0 °C. The automatic control mode to maintain a constant skin temperature was also demonstrated. Further analysis showed that the device can potentially maintain a constant skin temperature for a thermal load as large as 9.4 W. The compact size, quiet operation and heat removal capability make the device suitable for maintaining a comfortable and healthy thermal environment inside the prosthesis socket. Graphical abstract: Highlights: A lower-limb prosthesis thermal management device is demonstrated. A thermal resistance model was developed to analyze the prosthesis cooling. The device can maintain a constant skin temperature for a thermal load up to 7.0 W. An automatic control scheme was developed for prosthesis cooling. Cooling performance was demonstrated for different patient activity patterns.