Prosthetic socket liner

1. A liner for a socket of a prosthetic limb which is to be attached to a residual limb having at least one surface area unsuitable for application of vacuum pressure, the liner comprising:

a shaped-layer comprised of one of either a silicone or a urethane and having an exterior surface, an interior surface and a passage therein which opens at each of the two surfaces;

a first porous fabric covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of the shaped-layer including covering the corresponding opening of the passage; and

a second porous fabric which directly contacts the residual limb during use, the second porous fabric covering the interior surface of the shaped-layer including covering the corresponding opening of the passage wherein the second porous fabric includes at least one cut-out portion which corresponds to the at least one surface area of the residual limb unsuitable for application of vacuum pressure;

wherein, during use a negative pressure is maintained across the portion of the exterior surface covered by the first porous fabric and the interior surface covered by the second porous fabric excluding the cut-out portion when a vacuum source is coupled to the passage of the shaped-layer.

2. The liner of claim 1 , wherein the first porous fabric and the second porous fabric are of the same material.

3. The liner of claim 2 , wherein the material of the first and second porous fabric is cotton.

4. The liner of claim 2 , wherein the material of the first and second porous fabric is polyester.

5. The liner of claim 2 , wherein the material of the first and second porous fabric is a cotton/polyester blend.

6. The liner of claim 1 , wherein the first porous fabric interfaces with a prosthetic socket during use.

7. A liner-socket combination for use with a prosthetic device which is to be attached to a residual limb having at least one surface area unsuitable for application of vacuum pressure, the combination comprising:

a socket formed to fit the residual limb of a user and having a prosthetic device attached thereto;

a vacuum source coupled to a valve seated in a sidewall of the socket; and

a liner detachably positioned within the socket and comprising:

a shaped-layer comprised of one of either a silicone or a urethane and having an exterior surface, an interior surface and a passage therein which opens at each of the two surfaces;

a first porous fabric covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of the shaped-layer including the corresponding opening of the passage; and

a second porous fabric which directly contacts the residual limb during use, the second porous fabric covering the interior surface of the shaped-layer including the corresponding opening of the passage wherein the second porous fabric includes at least one cut-out portion corresponding to the at least one surface area of the residual limb unsuitable for application of vacuum pressure;

wherein, during use a negative pressure is maintained across the portion of the exterior surface covered by the first porous fabric and the interior surface covered by the second porous fabric excluding the cut-out portion when the vacuum source is coupled to the passage of the shaped-layer via the valve.

8. The liner-socket combination of claim 7 , wherein the first porous fabric interfaces with an interior surface of the socket.

9. The liner-socket combination of claim 8 , wherein the first porous fabric is held to the interior surface of the socket during use by the creation of a negative pressure.

10. The liner-socket combination of claim 7 , wherein the first porous fabric and the second porous fabric are of the same material.

11. The liner of claim 10 , wherein the material of the first and second porous fabric is cotton.

12. The liner of claim 10 , wherein the material of the first and second porous fabric is polyester.

13. The liner of claim 10 , wherein the material of the first and second porous fabric is a cotton/polyester blend.

14. A method for securing a prosthetic device to a residual limb of a user, the residual limb having at least one surface area unsuitable for application of a vacuum, the method comprising the steps of:

forming a socket to fit properly to a desired residual limb, the socket having a cavity and a valve;

positioning a liner within the cavity of the socket, the liner comprising:

a shaped-layer comprised of one of either a silicone or a urethane and having an exterior surface, an interior surface and a passage therein which opens at each of the two surfaces and configured to connect to the valve of the socket;

a first porous fabric covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of the shaped-layer including the corresponding opening of the passage; and

a second porous fabric which directly contacts the residual limb during use, the second porous fabric covering the interior surface of the shaped-layer including covering the corresponding opening of the passage wherein the second porous fabric includes at least one cut-out portion which corresponds to the at least one surface area of the residual limb unsuitable for application of vacuum pressure;

connecting a vacuum source to the valve of the socket; and

drawing a vacuum to create a negative pressure across the portion of the exterior surface covered by the first porous fabric and the interior surface covered by the second porous fabric excluding the cut-out portion such that the liner is held to an interior surface of the socket and an exterior surface of a residual limb.