So, I have a tiny leak in a patient’s AK socket. And we can’t figure out
if it’s the valve or the liner seal….
She’s wearing a flexible inner liner with a windowed outer laminated
socket. She’s wearing an Iceross Seal-In liner and the socket has an ESP
Lyn Valve RV slide. This valve is new to me, though I’ve used other ESP
valves in the past with the same fabrication methods. I believe the
fabrication is good, and the valve sits correctly when installed. I also
believe that the trim lines are appropriate when standing and sitting, so
the socket is not being “pushed off” when she sits. The pt’s socket fits
very well with a zero ply fit over the liner.
The liner’s gasket is not visible, as this area of the socket is not
windowed. I do not hear any air influx at any point during walking,
shaking, or biking motions. And, she does not have any air leakage when
she simply walks. But when she rides a bike, or shakes her leg in the air,
or sits, there is apparently a small influx of air from somewhere, because
when she weight bears again, the air escapes through the valve.
What are some good ways to discover if its the liner gasket vs. the valve?
Other possibilities?
Thanks, all.
Chelsea
