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Preparatory Socket Product Information

Material: Polycarbonate Blend (PC Blend)

Table of Contents

  • Key Use Cases
  • How to Order
  • Design Options
  • Required Measurements
  • Fabrication Instructions
  • FAQs

Key Use Cases

3D printed polycarbonate blend sockets offer rapid, durable, and lightweight solutions for specialized prosthetic applications. They are particularly valuable in short-term fitting and environment-specific prostheses. Preparatory sockets can be printed on Galileo Pro and Galileo O&P and have a 6mm wall thickness.  

Preparatory Socket (Semi-Permanent)

  1. Purpose: Serves as a transitional socket during early prosthetic fitting.
  2. Duration: Typically 2–3 months of use.
  3. Clinical Benefits:
    1. Accommodates residual limb volume changes while providing functional stability.
    2. Enables assessment of comfort, alignment, and gait before definitive socket fabrication.
    3. Rapid 3D printing accelerates delivery and fitting timelines.

Shower Leg Socket

  1. Purpose: Designed for safe mobility in wet environments.
  2. Design Intent:
    1. Waterproof or water-tolerant construction for shower or bathroom use.
    2. Provides stability and reduces slip risk for amputees navigating wet surfaces
  3. Critical Note:
    1. Not intended for day-to-day ambulation.
    2. Strictly for shower or limited wet-area use to ease stress and improve safety.

Clinical Considerations

  1. All prep sockets should be fabricated and fitted under professional oversight.
  2. Monitor preparatory sockets for fit, comfort, and residual limb changes.
  3. Reinforcement: Wrapping the standard thickness preparatory socket with composite or reinforcing tape can provide additional support and strength for higher-activity patients, but it is not mandatory. If a thinner print is requested, we recommend wrapping. Further information can be found below in Fabrication. 
  4. Shower leg setups should incorporate slip-resistant features and follow proper usage instructions.

How to Order

  • Log into FabOne. Click “Order” under the Above Knee or Below Knee Preparatory Socket product listing.
  • Attach a scan of the limb, cast, socket, or plaster positive.
  • Proceed to the order form.

Design Options

AK Socket Shape

View the options for brim shape here.

Thinner Print

Thinner walls (4mm) in the socket with the same distal end thickness and adapter options. Wrapping a thinner preparatory socket with composite or reinforcement tape is recommended. More information can be found below in Fabrication. 

Free Lamination Shell

Lamination shells are thin prints made of PETG designed to be poured that match the device’s inner surface. Learn more about lamination shells here. 

Distal Adapter/Suspension

  • Round bottom
  • Round bottom with flat plate
  • Barrel nut adapter
  • Bulldog
  • Coyote
  • KISS
  • Lyn Valve Void
  • Ottobock Push Valve

Volume Modifications

  • Increase or Decrease
  • Change amount (enter value)
  • Volumetric change type - ply, percentage, or other (explain in additional information)

Required Measurements

Measurement Discrepancy Handling

  • Set to measurements
  • Go with scan
  • Verify sizes for differences greater than +/- 7 mm

Designers will automatically reach out for any sizing differences greater than 20 mm.

Above Knee Measurements

  • Measurement starting point* (IT or perineum)
  • Starting point to distal axial length* (axial, not along contour)
  • ML at perineum*
  • AP at perineum*
  • Circumferences
    • At starting point, 2” below starting point, 4” below starting point are required

Below Knee Measurements

  • MPT to Distal End* (axial, not along contour)
  • AP at MPT
  • ML at MPT
  • Proximal ML (above condyle)
  • Circumferences
    • At MPT, 2” below MPT, 4” below MPT are required

    Fabrication Instructions

    Print on the Galileo Pro or Galileo O&P with PC blend in the big nozzle on the right. Suction does not require any post-processing - it is ready right off the printer.

    Adhesive

    Use MagiGoo PC bed adhesive on the bed before starting the print. Application instructions for bed adhesive can be found here.

    Grinding

    Break off any support material. Use 100-150 grit sandpaper to remove any residual support material. Use 400-600 grit sandpaper to smooth the trimlines. Use Tycro or silicone polishing cones to perfect the finish.

    Padding

    Apply padding where desired with any standard prosthetic glue.

    Heat Modifications

    With a heat gun, material is pliable for adjustments at 70C-85C without melting.

    Reinforcement

    Wrapping the standard thickness prep socket with composite or reinforcing tape is not mandatory, but can provide additional support or strength for wear greater than 600,000 steps at 280 lbs. If a thinner print is requested, we recommend wrapping the thinner preparatory socket.

    • Standard thickness preparatory socket was demonstrated in an unwrapped walking test to withstand 600,000 steps at 280 lbs without damage.
    • Thinner print (4mm) preparatory socket was demonstrated in a wrapped walking test to withstand 600,000 steps at 280 lbs without damage.
    • Thinner print (4mm) preparatory socket was demonstrated in an unwrapped walking test to fail after 100,000 steps at 280 lbs.