Knee prosthesis

Abstract

The present invention provides a knee joint prosthesis. The knee joint prosthesis includes a supracondylar member, an infracondylar member, and a connecting rod member. A first curve-shaped meshing tooth structure is fixedly arranged at the lower part of the supracondylar member, and a curve-shaped sliding groove is formed on the first curve-shaped meshing tooth structure. A sliding hinge part is fixedly arranged on the infracondylar member, and the sliding hinge part is installed in the curve-shaped sliding groove. A second curve-shaped meshing tooth structure is also hingedly arranged on the infracondylar member. The first end of the connecting rod member is hinged to the first curve-shaped meshing tooth structure, and the second end of the connecting rod member is hinged to the second curve-shaped meshing tooth structure. The second curve-shaped meshing tooth structure is connected to the supracondylar member through a revolute pair, and supplemented with a simple connecting rod mechanism. On the premise of ensuring that the meshing teeth do not separate and do not consume energy, the change in the length of the upper and lower structures of the knee joint and the change in the instantaneous center of the knee joint are completely simulated, making the knee joint prosthesis more convenient to use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of prosthetics, and more particularly, to a knee joint prosthetic limb. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the research on knee joint prosthetics mainly focuses on three aspects: the structural design and modeling simulation of knee joint prosthetics, the design and optimization of control mechanisms, and the research on motion intention recognition. Regarding the structural design of knee joint prosthetics, according to different structural forms, it is generally divided into three design methods: contoured structure, two-link, and multi-link. Figure 1 A contoured sketch of a knee joint prosthetic limb is shown. Figure 2 A two-link sketch of a knee joint prosthetic limb is shown. Figure 3 A four-link sketch of a knee joint prosthetic limb is shown, all of which include a femur structure 1 and a tibia structure 2.

[0003] As Figure 1 shown, the contoured design of the knee joint prosthetic limb structure is a design method that simulates the knee joint function based on the structural characteristics of the human knee joint and uses technologies such as magnetic levitation technology and incomplete gears. When the lower structure of the knee joint moves clockwise, it can completely or partially simulate the changes in the lengths of the upper and lower structures of the knee joint and the changes in the instantaneous center of the knee joint. This type of structural design is the most ideal.

[0004] As Figure 2 shown, the two-link design of the knee joint prosthetic limb is a design scheme that connects the upper and lower structures of the knee joint through a hinge based on the functional characteristics of the human knee joint. When the lower structure of the knee joint moves clockwise, it cannot simulate the changes in the lengths of the upper and lower structures of the knee joint and the changes in the instantaneous center of the knee joint. This type of structural design is the simplest.

[0005] As Figure 3 shown, the four-link design of the knee joint mechanism is an improved design based on the two-link, and it is a design scheme that can make the instantaneous center of the knee joint closer to the physiological structure of the knee joint. When the lower structure of the knee joint moves clockwise, it can partially simulate the changes in the lengths of the upper and lower structures of the knee joint and the changes in the instantaneous center of the knee joint. There are currently many variants of this type of structural design, and it is also relatively commonly used.

[0006] The above three types of knee joint prosthetics still have the following defects when in use, resulting in inconvenient use:

[0007] Figure 1 For the contoured design of the knee joint prosthetic limb structure shown, in actual use, the knee joint prosthetic limb designed using magnetic levitation technology consumes a large amount of energy (electricity); once the energy (electricity) is exhausted, the knee joint function fails.

[0008] Figure 2The shown two-link design of the knee joint prosthesis cannot simulate the changes in the lengths of the upper and lower structures of the knee joint and the changes in the instantaneous center of the knee joint, resulting in an unnatural gait for the prosthesis wearer.

[0009] Figure 3 The shown four-link design of the knee joint prosthesis has a cumbersome structure, a large weight, a large occupied space range, and a high design difficulty.

[0010] In addition, there is also a knee joint prosthesis designed using the incomplete gear technology. Commonly, the incomplete gear is fixedly connected to the upper and lower structures connected to the knee joint, but the structure is the same as that of the Figure 2 shown two-link design of the knee joint prosthesis and cannot fully simulate the changes in the lengths of the upper and lower structures of the knee joint and the changes in the instantaneous center of the knee joint, resulting in an unnatural gait for the prosthesis wearer and still being very inconvenient to use. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The main object of the present invention is to provide a knee joint prosthesis to solve the technical problem of inconvenient use existing in the knee joint prosthesis in the prior art.

[0012] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a knee joint prosthesis, including: a supracondylar member, a first curve-shaped meshing tooth structure is fixedly arranged at the lower part of the supracondylar member, and a curve-shaped sliding groove corresponding to the first curve shape is formed on the first curve-shaped meshing tooth structure; an infracondylar member, a sliding hinge part is fixedly arranged on the infracondylar member, the sliding hinge part is installed in the curve-shaped sliding groove, and a second curve-shaped meshing tooth structure is also hingedly arranged on the infracondylar member, and the second curve-shaped meshing tooth structure meshes with the first curve-shaped meshing tooth structure; a connecting rod member, a linear sliding groove is formed on the connecting rod member, the first end of the connecting rod member is hinged to the first curve-shaped meshing tooth structure, the second end of the connecting rod member is hinged to the second curve-shaped meshing tooth structure, and the sliding hinge part is also installed in the linear sliding groove.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first curve shape is an irregular curve shape, and the irregular curve shape corresponds to the lower edge curve of the femur.

[0014] In one embodiment, the second curve shape is an arc curve shape.

[0015] In one embodiment, the second curve-shaped meshing tooth structure is semi-circular.

[0016] In one embodiment, there are multiple first curve-shaped meshing tooth structures. Correspondingly, there are also multiple sliding hinge parts, second curve-shaped meshing tooth structures, and connecting rod members.

[0017] In one embodiment, there are two meshing tooth structures with a first curve shape. The two meshing tooth structures with the first curve shape are spaced apart at the lower part of the supracondylar member. There are also two sliding hinge parts, two meshing tooth structures with a second curve shape, and two connecting rod members. The two sliding hinge parts, the two meshing tooth structures with the second curve shape, and the two connecting rod members are spaced apart correspondingly with respect to the two meshing tooth structures with the first curve shape.

[0018] In one embodiment, two spaced mounting plates are provided at the upper part of the subcondylar member. The two sliding hinge parts and the two meshing tooth structures with the second curve shape are oppositely arranged on the inner sides of the two mounting plates. The two meshing tooth structures with the first curve shape and the two connecting rod members are also oppositely arranged on the inner sides of the two mounting plates.

[0019] In one embodiment, a femoral connection structure is fixedly provided at the upper part of the supracondylar member.

[0020] In one embodiment, the upper part of the supracondylar member and the femoral connection structure are integrally formed.

[0021] In one embodiment, the lower part of the supracondylar member and the meshing tooth structure with the first curve shape are integrally formed.

[0022] Applying the technical solution of the present invention changes the tooth structure that was previously fixed at the end of the tibial member. The meshing tooth structure with the second curve shape is connected to the supracondylar member through a revolute pair, and supplemented with a simple connecting rod mechanism. On the premise of ensuring that the meshing teeth do not separate and do not consume energy, it can also fully simulate the changes in the lengths of the upper and lower parts of the knee joint structure and the changes in the instantaneous center of the knee joint, making the knee joint prosthesis more convenient to use.

[0023] In addition to the purposes, features, and advantages described above, the present invention has other purposes, features, and advantages. The following will refer to the drawings to further elaborate on the present invention in detail. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The specification drawings forming a part of the present invention are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The schematic embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation to the present invention. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the profiling design structure of the knee joint prosthesis structure in the prior art is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the two-link design structure of the knee joint prosthesis in the prior art is shown;

[0027] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the four-link design structure of the knee joint prosthesis in the prior art is shown;

[0028] Figure 4 Shows a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a knee joint prosthesis according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 Shows a three-dimensional structural diagram of an embodiment of a knee joint prosthesis according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 a schematic internal structure diagram of an embodiment of the knee joint prosthesis of;

[0031] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 a structural diagram of the lower knee member of the knee joint prosthesis of relative to the upper knee member rotated to 40°;

[0032] Figure 8 Shows Figure 6 a structural diagram of the lower knee member of the knee joint prosthesis of relative to the upper knee member rotated to 75°;

[0033] Figure 9 Shows Figure 6 a structural diagram of the lower knee member of the knee joint prosthesis of relative to the upper knee member rotated to 110°. Detailed implementation manners

[0034] It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0035] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0036] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present invention and the above drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not have to be used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so as to describe the embodiments of the present invention here. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or device including a series of steps or units does not have to be limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0037] It should be noted that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms are also intended to include the plural forms. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they specify the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0038] Figure 4 The schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the knee joint prosthesis of the present invention is shown. Specifically, as Figure 5 shown, the knee joint prosthesis includes a supracondylar member 10, an infracondylar member 20, and a connecting rod member 30. A first curved meshing tooth structure 11 is fixedly provided at the lower part of the supracondylar member 10, and a curved chute 12 corresponding to the first curve shape is formed on the first curved meshing tooth structure 11. A sliding hinge portion 21 is fixedly provided on the infracondylar member 20, and the sliding hinge portion 21 is installed in the curved chute 12. A second curved meshing tooth structure 22 is also hingedly provided on the infracondylar member 20, and the second curved meshing tooth structure 22 meshes with the first curved meshing tooth structure 11. A linear chute 31 is formed on the connecting rod member 30. The first end of the connecting rod member 30 is hinged to the first curved meshing tooth structure 11, and the second end of the connecting rod member 30 is hinged to the second curved meshing tooth structure 22. The sliding hinge portion 21 is also installed in the linear chute 31.

[0039] Applying the technical solution of the present invention, in combination with Figure 4 , the first curved meshing tooth structure 11 and the second curved meshing tooth structure 22 mesh to form a gear pair at point D. As the infracondylar member 20 rotates, the position of point D moves along the gear meshing trajectory. The second curved meshing tooth structure 22 is hingedly provided on the infracondylar member 20 to form a rotating pair at point F; the first end of the connecting rod member 30 is hinged to the first curved meshing tooth structure 11 to form a rotating pair at point A; the second end of the connecting rod member 30 is hinged to the second curved meshing tooth structure 22 to form a rotating pair at point E; the sliding hinge portion 21 is installed in both the curved chute 12 and the linear chute 31 to form a compound pair composed of a sliding pair and a rotating pair at C. There are two sliding pairs. One sliding pair slides along the first curve shape B of the curved chute 12, and the other sliding pair slides along the linear chute 31 in the AE direction.

[0040] In the past, knee joint prostheses that adopted gear pair profiling fixed the gears at the ends of the femoral component and the tibial component respectively, and then connected the femoral component and the tibial component through a connecting rod. The technical solution of the present invention changes the tooth structure that was fixed at the end of the tibial component in the past. The meshing tooth structure 22 with the shape of the second curve is connected to the above-knee component 10 through a revolute pair, and supplemented with a simple connecting rod mechanism. On the premise of ensuring that the meshing teeth do not separate and do not consume energy, it can also fully simulate the changes in the lengths of the upper and lower parts of the knee joint and the changes in the instantaneous center of the knee joint, making the knee joint prosthesis more convenient to use.

[0041] It should be noted that the above-knee component 10 is equivalent to the structure of at least a part of the femur, and the below-knee component 20 is equivalent to the mechanism of at least a part of the tibia.

[0042] Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 respectively show schematic structural diagrams of the below-knee component of the knee joint prosthesis rotating relative to the above-knee component to 0°, 40°, 75°, and 110°. It should be noted that, for the convenience of observing the changes of each component during movement, the above-knee component 10 is always located in the vertical direction. During the actual use of the knee joint prosthesis, the above-knee component 10 will swing with the movement of the human thigh.

[0043] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the shape of the first curve is an irregular curve shape, and the irregular curve shape corresponds to the lower edge curve of the femur. In this way, profiling design can be carried out according to the lower edge curve of the femur, making the movement of the knee joint prosthesis more natural.

[0044] Optionally, in the technical solution of this embodiment, the shape of the second curve is an arc curve shape. Preferably, the meshing tooth structure 22 with the shape of the second curve is semi-circular. As another alternative implementation, it is also feasible that the meshing tooth structure 22 with the shape of the second curve is a sector with other angles.

[0045] As Figure 5As shown, in the technical solution of this embodiment, there are two meshing tooth structures 11 with a first curve shape. The two meshing tooth structures 11 with a first curve shape are spaced apart at the lower part of the above-knee member 10. There are two sliding hinge parts 21, two meshing tooth structures 22 with a second curve shape, and two connecting rod members 30. The two sliding hinge parts 21, the two meshing tooth structures 22 with a second curve shape, and the two connecting rod members 30 are spaced apart corresponding to the two meshing tooth structures 11 with a first curve shape. The above-knee member 10 and the below-knee member 20 are simultaneously connected by two sets of meshing tooth structures 11 with a first curve shape, sliding hinge parts 21, meshing tooth structures 22 with a second curve shape, and connecting rod members 30, which can achieve a more stable relative rotational movement between the above-knee member 10 and the below-knee member 20.

[0046] As Figure 5 shown, more preferably, in the technical solution of this embodiment, there are two spaced mounting plates 23 provided at the upper part of the below-knee member 20. The two sliding hinge parts 21 and the two meshing tooth structures 22 with a second curve shape are oppositely arranged inside the two mounting plates 23. The two meshing tooth structures 11 with a first curve shape and the two connecting rod members 30 are also oppositely arranged inside the two mounting plates 23. The two mounting plates 23 can not only provide an installation space for the two sets of motion mechanisms, but also protect the two sets of motion mechanisms, and can also make the below-knee member 20 rotate more stably relative to the above-knee member 10.

[0047] As another optional implementation manner, there can be more meshing tooth structures 11 with a first curve shape. Correspondingly, there can also be more sliding hinge parts 21, meshing tooth structures 22 with a second curve shape, and connecting rod members 30.

[0048] As Figure 5 shown, a femur connection structure 13 is fixedly provided at the upper part of the above-knee member 10 to facilitate the connection between the above-knee member 10 and the human thigh. Preferably, the upper part of the above-knee member 10 and the femur connection structure 13 are integrally formed, and the femur connection structure 13 can be manufactured simultaneously when manufacturing the above-knee member 10. More preferably, the lower part of the above-knee member 10 and the meshing tooth structure 11 with a first curve shape are integrally formed, so that the meshing tooth structure 11 with a first curve shape can also be manufactured simultaneously when manufacturing the above-knee member 10.

[0049] The technical solution of the present invention adopts an incomplete gear profiling combined with a simple connecting rod mechanism, which realizes no energy consumption, fully simulates the changes in the lengths of the upper and lower structures of the knee joint and the changes in the instantaneous center of the knee joint, is light in weight, has a simple structural design, low design difficulty, and small structural occupied space.

[0050] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangements, numerical expressions, and numerical values of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention. At the same time, it should be understood that, for the sake of convenience of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn in actual proportional relationships. Technologies, methods, and devices known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such technologies, methods, and devices should be regarded as part of the authorized specification. In all the examples shown and discussed here, any specific values should be construed as merely exemplary and not as a limitation. Therefore, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that: like reference numerals and letters denote like items in the following drawings, and thus, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0051] For the sake of convenience of description, spatial relative terms such as "above", "over", "on the upper surface", "upper" etc. may be used here to describe the spatial positional relationship of one device or feature shown in the drawings with respect to other devices or features. It should be understood that the spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawing is inverted, the device described as "above" or "over" other devices or structures will then be positioned "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both the orientations of "above" and "below". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and corresponding interpretations should be made for the spatial relative descriptions used here.

[0052] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationships indicated by orientation terms such as "front, rear, upper, lower, left, right", "lateral, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal" and "top, bottom" etc. are generally based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description. Without contrary description, these orientation terms do not indicate and imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as limiting the protection scope of the present invention; the orientation terms "inside, outside" refer to the inside and outside with respect to the contours of the respective components themselves.

[0053] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various changes and modifications. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A knee joint prosthesis, characterized in that, Comprising: A knee upper member (10), a lower portion of the knee upper member (10) is fixedly provided with a first curved engagement tooth structure (11), and a curved chute (12) corresponding to the first curve shape is formed on the first curved engagement tooth structure (11); A knee lower member (20), a sliding hinge portion (21) is fixedly provided on the knee lower member (20), the sliding hinge portion (21) is installed in the curved chute (12), and a second curved engagement tooth structure (22) is also hingedly provided on the knee lower member (20), and the second curved engagement tooth structure (22) meshes with the first curved engagement tooth structure (11); A link member (30), a linear chute (31) is formed on the link member (30), a first end of the link member (30) is hinged to the first curved engagement tooth structure (11), a second end of the link member (30) is hinged to the second curved engagement tooth structure (22), and the sliding hinge portion (21) is also installed in the linear chute (31); The first curve shape is an irregular curve shape, and the irregular curve shape corresponds to the lower edge curve of the femur; The second curve shape is an arc curve shape; The second curved engagement tooth structure (22) is semi-circular; Connecting the second curved engagement tooth structure to the knee upper member through a revolute pair, and supplemented with a simple link mechanism. On the premise of ensuring that the engagement teeth do not separate and do not consume energy, the change in the length of the upper and lower structures of the knee joint and the change in the instantaneous center of the knee joint can be fully simulated, making the knee joint prosthesis more convenient to use; There are multiple first curved engagement tooth structures (11), correspondingly, the sliding hinge portion (21), the second curved engagement tooth structure (22), and the link member (30) are also multiple.

2. The knee joint prosthesis according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are two first curved engagement tooth structures (11), and the two first curved engagement tooth structures (11) are spaced apart at the lower portion of the knee upper member (10). The sliding hinge portion (21), the second curved engagement tooth structure (22), and the link member (30) are all two. The two sliding hinge portions (21), the two second curved engagement tooth structures (22), and the two link members (30) are spaced apart correspondingly to the two first curved engagement tooth structures (11).

3. The knee joint prosthesis according to claim 2, characterized in that, Two spaced mounting plates (23) are provided on the upper portion of the knee lower member (20). The two sliding hinge portions (21) and the two second curved engagement tooth structures (22) are oppositely arranged on the inner sides of the two mounting plates (23). The two first curved engagement tooth structures (11) and the two link members (30) are also oppositely arranged on the inner sides of the two mounting plates (23).

4. The knee joint prosthesis according to claim 1, characterized in that, A femur connection structure (13) is fixedly provided on the upper portion of the knee upper member (10).

5. The knee joint prosthesis according to claim 4, characterized in that, The upper portion of the knee upper member (10) is integrally formed with the femur connection structure (13).

6. The knee joint prosthesis according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower part of the knee member (10) is integrally formed with the first curved engagement tooth structure (11).

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