Lamination
A fabrication process in which layers of fibre reinforcement and resin are built up over a mould to create a rigid or semi-rigid prosthetic socket or structural shell.
Full Definition
Lamination in prosthetic fabrication involves applying successive layers of woven or unidirectional fibres — commonly fibreglass, carbon fibre, or Dacron — impregnated with acrylic, epoxy, or polyester resin over a positive plaster or foam model of the residual limb. The cured laminate forms the structural wall of a socket or the outer shell of an exoskeletal prosthesis. Editors should not confuse this process with 'thermoforming,' which uses heat-softened thermoplastic sheets rather than wet layup. Lamination appears frequently in fabrication records, prior-authorisation requests, and O&P facility quality-assurance documents.
Usage
Usage note: Do not confuse with 'thermoforming.' In edited documents, specify the resin and fibre type where clinically or billing-relevant.
In Context
- "The fabrication notes detailed a two-stage lamination using fibreglass inner and carbon-fibre outer reinforcement." — Prosthetic fabrication record
- "Quality-assurance reviewers flagged that 'lamination' had been misspelled as 'laminization' throughout the batch of clinical reports." — QA audit report