Transtibial socket for external prosthesis

a technology of external prosthesis and transtibial socket, which is applied in the field of lower limb external prosthesis, can solve the problems of lack of rotational control, reduced range of motion, etc., and achieve the effects of reducing pressure on the patellar tendon, reducing curvature and/or shape, and eliminating or de-emphasizing the patellar bar

US20120143352A1Inactive Publication Date: 2012-06-07COYOTE DESIGN & MFG INC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2012-06-07
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A prosthetic hard socket has a modified curvature and / or shape that improves rotational control, comfort, and range of motion including even full extension or hyperextension. The hard socket eliminates or de-emphasizes the patellar bar, to eliminate or reduce pressure on the wearer's patellar tendon, and enhances support of the anterior tibial condyle and / or tibial tubercle. Thus, the patellar tendon preferably is not weight-bearing. A lowered socket edge and / or a gap in the socket wall in the region of the patellar tendon prevents the hard structure of the socket from directly supporting or pressing upon the patellar tendon. Inwardly-protruding regions on each side of the lowered edge / gap help “capture” or otherwise press on a portion of the tibia. A flexible and / or cushioning member may be placed in the gap / trough.
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Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of Non-Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 11 / 949,018, filed Nov. 30, 2007 and issuing as Pat. No. 8,075,632 on Dec. 13, 2011, which claims priority of Provisional Application 60 / 872,287, filed Nov. 30, 2006, the entire disclosure of which Provisional Application is incorporated herein by this reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to the field of lower limb external prosthetics, specifically below-the-knee amputations, such as transtibial and Symes amputations. The invention relates to prosthetics sockets that provide enhanced comfort and control without providing a patellar tendon bar.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] Conventional hard sockets for lower limb external prosthetics, for example, those portrayed in FIGS. 1-5, comprise a patellar-tendon-bar. It should be noted that the patellar-tendon bar (B) may be located at various levels (vertical distances along the socket), depending up...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0024]Referring to FIGS. 1A-D, and 2-5, one may see examples of prior art sockets with embodiments of tendon-support hard socket wall ledges or inward-curvature, called “patellar bars” as discussed above. Referring to FIGS. 2-5, socket 10 has a top edge 12 and, near the top edge, is the concave (from the outside) bar B. As discussed above, the bar B need not always be so close to the top edge 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-D. Also, there may be ways of making a prior art patellar bar, other than curvature of the socket wall, for example, placement or molding of additional material at the inner wall of the socket to provide said “ledge” against which the patellar tendon rests / pushes.

[0025]The bar B provides a substantially-horizontal “shelf”15 on the inside of the socket against which the patellar tendon is placed. One may see, especially in FIGS. 2 and 3, that the top edge in the region of the prior art bar B (that is near the top edge TE) is typically a gentle, large-radiused edge,...