A bendable below-knee very-short-stump prosthesis

Abstract

The application discloses a bendable lower leg extremely short residual limb prosthesis, which comprises an outer receiving cavity and an inner receiving cavity which are connected together, the outer receiving cavity is mainly in a U-shaped structure and the connecting point with the inner receiving cavity is close to the upper side of the inner receiving cavity, a connecting rod is fixedly installed at the lower part of the outer receiving cavity, a prosthetic foot is connected to the lower end of the connecting rod, a power assisting mechanism is arranged between the prosthetic foot and the connecting rod, the power assisting mechanism comprises a power assisting device and a driving piece for driving the power assisting device; the outer receiving cavity and the inner receiving cavity in the prosthesis are connected through a rotating connection mode, so that the prosthesis itself has a bending function, even if the residual limb personnel wears the knee joint in the inner receiving cavity, the bending function can be provided when walking or sitting, and thus the problem that the knee joint bending function is lost after the lower leg residual limb end wears the prosthesis is solved.

Description

A flexible, extremely short lower leg prosthesis Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of medical device technology, specifically relating to a flexible, extremely short lower leg prosthesis. Background Technology

[0002] For people with amputations, wearing prostheses can make it easier for them to study, work, and live. However, for patients whose lower legs are too short after amputation, there is no minimum length to wear a lower leg prosthesis. They can only use the prosthesis after wearing prostheses on their lower leg, knee joint, and part of their thigh. However, people with amputations will lose the bending function of their knee joint.

[0003] The problem of knee flexion when sitting is caused by the retention of too short a stump after amputation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the existing technology, the purpose of this invention is to provide a flexible, extremely short lower leg prosthesis.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0006] A flexible prosthesis for extremely short lower leg stumps includes an outer receiving cavity and an inner receiving cavity rotatably connected together. The outer receiving cavity has a U-shaped structure and its connection point with the inner receiving cavity is close to the upper side of the inner receiving cavity. A connecting rod is fixedly installed on the lower part of the outer receiving cavity, and a prosthetic foot is connected to the lower end of the connecting rod. An assist mechanism is provided between the prosthetic foot and the connecting rod. The assist mechanism includes an assist device and a drive component for driving the assist device.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of the driving member is connected to the inner receiving cavity, and the lower end of the driving member is connected to the assisting device. When the inner receiving cavity and the outer receiving cavity change from a bent state to a straight state, the driving member drives the assisting device to rotate the prosthetic foot to provide assistance.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the driving component includes a piston rod fixedly mounted on the connecting rod, the telescopic end of the piston rod being connected to the inner receiving cavity via a connecting rod, and the lower end of the piston rod being connected to the assist device via a connecting pipe.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner receiving cavity is provided with a notch, and a connecting ring is fixedly installed on the upper part of the inner receiving cavity, the connecting ring being rotatably connected to one end of the connecting rod.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the assist device includes a first assist component and a second assist component rotatably connected together. The first assist component is fixedly connected to the lower end of the connecting rod, and the second assist component is fixedly connected to the prosthetic foot. The first assist component and the second assist component are internally provided with hydraulically driven assist components.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first assistive component is provided with a first through hole and a second through hole, the second assistive component is provided with a third through hole, and the connecting pipe is provided with a first interface, a second interface and a third interface on the side near the assistive device. The first interface, the second interface and the third interface are respectively connected to the first through hole, the second through hole and the third through hole, and a one-way valve is provided on the second interface and the third interface.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the assist component includes a sliding body that slides circumferentially along the first assist component, the sliding body and the first assist component are provided with elastic elements, the sliding body is provided with a flow guide hole, and the sliding body is provided with an action surface on the side near the second assist component.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a control cavity is formed between the bottom end of the sliding body and the first assisting member, a first cavity is formed between the side surface of the sliding body and the first assisting member, and a second cavity is formed between the top of the sliding body, the first assisting member, and the second assisting member.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the assisting component further includes an assisting floating member, which is slidably disposed in a groove on the first assisting member and divides the second cavity into an action cavity and an assisting cavity. A reset member is disposed between one side of the assisting floating member and the second assisting member in the assisting cavity.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an action platform is provided at the center of the second assisting member, and a limiting groove for embedding and fixing the reset member is provided on the inner side of the second assisting member.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0017] 1. The external and internal sockets of the prosthesis are connected by rotation, which enables the prosthesis itself to have bending function. Even if the person with the residual limb wears the knee joint in the internal socket, it can still provide bending function when walking or sitting, thus solving the problem of loss of knee bending function after wearing a prosthesis on the lower leg residual limb.

[0018] 2. When the person with the amputee extends their thigh forward during walking, the movement of the inner socket of the prosthesis is consistent with that of the thigh. Under the weight of the prosthesis itself, the inner and outer sockets change from a straight line to a bent state. The connecting rod will compress the piston rod, and the oil in the piston rod will be transported to the assist device through the connecting pipe for storage. When the inner and outer sockets change from a bent state to a straight line, the assist device drives the prosthetic foot to rotate, thereby providing friction between the prosthesis and the ground when the person with the amputee walks forward. The reverse force provides assistance for the person with the amputee to move forward. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the axial side structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the rear structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the axial structure of the assist device of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of the front cross-section of the assist device of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of the first assistive component of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the slider of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 is a structural schematic diagram of the auxiliary floating component of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8 is a structural schematic diagram of the second assistive component of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 9 is a structural schematic diagram of the cross-section of the assist device of the present invention.

[0029] In the diagram: 1-Outer receiving cavity, 2-Inner receiving cavity, 21-Connecting ring, 22-Notch, 3-Connecting rod, 4-Dummy foot, 5-Piston rod, 6-Connecting rod, 7-Assist device, 701-Control cavity, 702-First cavity, 703-Second cavity, 7031-Action cavity, 7032-Assist cavity, 71-First assist component, 711-First through hole, 712-Second through hole, 713-Slide groove, 72-Second assist component, 721-Third through hole, 722-Action platform, 723-Limiting groove, 73-Sliding body, 731-Guide hole, 732-Action surface, 74-Elastic component, 75-Assist floating component, 76-Reset component, 8-Connecting pipe, 81-One-way valve. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0031] The specific embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to Figures 1-9. A flexible prosthesis for extremely short lower leg stumps includes an outer receiving cavity 1 and an inner receiving cavity 2 rotatably connected together. The main body of the outer receiving cavity 1 has a U-shaped structure and the connection point with the inner receiving cavity 2 is close to the upper side of the inner receiving cavity 2. A connecting rod 3 is fixedly installed on the lower part of the outer receiving cavity 1. A prosthetic foot 4 is connected to the lower end of the connecting rod 3. An assist mechanism is provided between the prosthetic foot 4 and the connecting rod 3. The assist mechanism includes an assist device 7 and a driving component for driving the assist device 7.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of the driving member is connected to the inner receiving cavity 2, and the lower end of the driving member is connected to the assisting device 7. When the inner receiving cavity 2 and the outer receiving cavity 1 change from a bent state to a straight state, the driving member drives the assisting device 7 to rotate the prosthetic foot 4 to provide assistance.

[0033] For patients with extremely short lower leg stumps, the remaining lower leg is too short after amputation, lacking the minimum length to wear a lower leg prosthesis. They can only use the prosthesis by wearing it on the lower leg, knee joint, and part of the thigh. However, this results in the loss of knee flexion function. This prosthesis's external socket 1 and internal socket 2 are connected by a rotating mechanism, allowing the prosthesis itself to flex. Even when the knee joint is placed in the internal socket 2, it provides flexion function when walking or sitting, thus solving the problem of lost knee flexion function after wearing a prosthesis on the lower leg stump. Simultaneously, when the internal socket 2 and external socket 1 transition from a flexed to a straight state, the drive assist device 7 rotates the prosthetic foot 4, simulating the movement of a normal walking gait. The rotation of the prosthetic foot 4 relative to the connecting rod 3 generates friction with the ground, providing forward propulsion and helping the patient reduce energy expenditure during walking.

[0034] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner receiving cavity 2 is provided with a notch 22, and a connecting ring 21 is fixedly installed on the upper part of the inner receiving cavity 2, and the connecting ring 21 is rotatably connected to one end of the connecting rod 6.

[0035] After the amputee wears the prosthesis, the notch 22 on the inner receiving cavity 2 can just avoid the knee joint, so that it will not put pressure on the knee during walking, making it more comfortable to wear.

[0036] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the driving component includes a piston rod 5 fixedly mounted on the connecting rod 3, the telescopic end of the piston rod 5 being connected to the inner receiving cavity 2 via a connecting rod 6, and the lower end of the piston rod 5 being connected to the assist device 7 via a connecting pipe 8.

[0037] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the assist device 7 includes a first assist component 71 and a second assist component 72 rotatably connected together. The first assist component 71 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the connecting rod 3, and the second assist component 72 is fixedly connected to the prosthetic foot 4. The first assist component 71 and the second assist component 72 are provided with hydraulically driven assist components inside.

[0038] After the prosthesis is put on, when the person with the amputee extends their thigh forward while walking, the inner receiving cavity 2 of the prosthesis moves in unison with the thigh. Under the weight of the prosthesis itself, the inner receiving cavity 2 and the outer receiving cavity 1 form an angle (at this time, the inner receiving cavity 2 and the outer receiving cavity 1 change from a straight line to a curved state). The connecting rod 6 will compress the piston rod 5, and the oil in the piston rod 5 will be transported to the assist device 7 through the connecting pipe 8. The resistance component will store the force. When the inner receiving cavity 2 and the outer receiving cavity 1 change from a curved state to a straight line, the rotation restriction of the first assist component 71 and the second assist component 72 will be eliminated, so that the first assist component 71 and the second assist component 72 will rotate at a small angle. This will provide friction between the prosthesis and the ground when the person with the amputee walks forward, and use the reaction force to provide assistance to the person with the amputee.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first assisting component 71 is provided with a first through hole 711 and a second through hole 712, the second assisting component 72 is provided with a third through hole 721, and the connecting pipe 8 is provided with a first interface, a second interface and a third interface on the side near the assisting device 7. The first interface, the second interface and the third interface are respectively connected to the first through hole 711, the second through hole 712 and the third through hole 721, and a one-way valve 81 is provided on the second interface and the third interface.

[0040] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the assist component includes a sliding body 73 that slides circumferentially along the first assist member 71. An elastic member 74 is provided inside the sliding body 73 and the first assist member 71. A guide hole 731 is provided inside the sliding body 73. An action surface 732 is provided on the side of the sliding body 73 near the second assist member 72.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a control cavity 701 is formed between the bottom end of the sliding body 73 and the first assisting member 71, a first cavity 702 is formed between the side of the sliding body 73 and the first assisting member 71, and a second cavity 703 is formed between the top of the sliding body 73, the first assisting member 71, and the second assisting member 72.

[0042] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the assisting component further includes an assisting floating member 75, which is slidably disposed in a groove 713 on the first assisting member 71 and divides the second cavity 703 into an action cavity 7031 and an assisting cavity 7032. A reset member 76 is disposed between one side of the assisting floating member 75 and the second assisting member 72 in the assisting cavity 7032.

[0043] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an action platform 722 is provided at the center of the second assist member 72, and a limiting groove 723 for embedding and fixing the reset member 76 is provided on the inner side of the second assist member 72.

[0044] When the inner receiving cavity 2 and the outer receiving cavity 1 change from a straight state to a curved state, the piston rod 5 is compressed. The oil in the piston rod 5 enters the control cavity 701 and the action cavity 7031 on the first assist member 71 through the first interface and the third interface on the connecting pipe 8. The oil entering the control cavity 701 will push the sliding body 73 to move to the right (refer to Figure 4 in the specification). The action surface 732 on the sliding body 73 will press against the action platform 722 to restrict the second assist member 72 and the first assist member 71 from rotating relative to each other. The oil entering the action cavity 7031 will act on the end of the assist floating member 75, pushing the assist floating member 75 to slide in the slide groove 713 to compress the reset member 76 to store force.

[0045] When the inner receiving cavity 2 and the outer receiving cavity 1 change from a bent state to a straight state, the piston rod 5 is pulled to extend. The oil in the control cavity 701 and the first cavity 702 flows back to the piston rod 5 through the first and second interfaces on the connecting pipe 8. The pressure in the control cavity 701 will decrease. At the same time, under the action of the elastic element 74, the assist floating element 75 will move to the left. At this time, the action surface 732 will disengage from the action platform 722. Under the action of the reset element 76, the second assist element 72 is pushed to rotate on the first assist element 71, thereby driving the prosthetic foot to rotate and provide assistance for the walking of the amputee. After the sliding body 73 moves to the left end, the first cavity 702 will be connected to the second cavity 703 through the guide hole 731, so that the oil in the second cavity 703 returns to the piston rod 5 through the second through hole 712 and the second interface. At this time, due to the return of the oil, the second assist element 72 and the first assist element 71 will return to their original positions before rotation, so that they can continue to provide assistance for the prosthesis in the next bending process.

[0046] This invention is not limited to the above-described optional embodiments. Anyone can derive other various forms of products under the guidance of this invention. However, regardless of any changes made in their shape or structure, any technical solution that falls within the scope of the claims of this invention shall be protected by this invention.

Claims

1. A flexible prosthetic for extremely short lower leg limbs, characterized in that: The device includes an outer receiving cavity (1) and an inner receiving cavity (2) that are rotatably connected together. The outer receiving cavity (1) has a U-shaped structure and its connection point with the inner receiving cavity (2) is close to the upper side of the inner receiving cavity (2). A connecting rod (3) is fixedly installed on the lower part of the outer receiving cavity (1). A prosthetic foot (4) is connected to the lower end of the connecting rod (3). An assist mechanism is provided between the prosthetic foot (4) and the connecting rod (3). The assist mechanism includes an assist device (7) and a driving member for driving the assist device (7). The upper end of the driving member is connected to the inner receiving cavity (2), and the lower end of the driving member is connected to the assist device (7). The driving member changes from a curved shape to a straight shape between the inner receiving cavity (2) and the outer receiving cavity (1). In the state, the drive assist device (7) drives the prosthetic foot (4) to rotate to provide assistance; the drive component includes a piston rod (5) fixedly installed on the connecting rod (3), the telescopic end of the piston rod (5) is connected to the inner receiving cavity (2) through the connecting rod (6), and the lower end of the piston rod (5) is connected to the assist device (7) through the connecting pipe (8); the assist device (7) includes a first assist component (71) and a second assist component (72) rotatably connected together, the first assist component (71) is fixedly connected to the lower end of the connecting rod (3), and the second assist component (72) is fixedly connected to the prosthetic foot (4), and the first assist component (71) and the second assist component (72) are provided with hydraulically driven assist components inside.

2. The flexible, extremely short lower leg prosthesis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner receiving cavity (2) is provided with a notch (22), and a connecting ring (21) is fixedly installed on the upper part of the inner receiving cavity (2). The connecting ring (21) is rotatably connected to one end of the connecting rod (6).

3. The flexible, extremely short lower leg prosthesis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first assisting component (71) is provided with a first through hole (711) and a second through hole (712), and the second assisting component (72) is provided with a third through hole (721). The connecting pipe (8) is provided with a first interface, a second interface and a third interface on the side close to the assisting device (7). The first interface, the second interface and the third interface are respectively connected to the first through hole (711), the second through hole (712) and the third through hole (721). A one-way valve (81) is provided on the second interface and the third interface.

4. A flexible, extremely short lower leg prosthesis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The assist component includes a sliding body (73) that slides circumferentially along the first assist member (71). The sliding body (73) and the first assist member (71) are provided with elastic elements (74). The sliding body (73) is provided with a guide hole (731). The sliding body (73) is provided with an action surface (732) on the side near the second assist member (72).

5. A flexible, extremely short lower leg prosthesis according to claim 4, characterized in that: A control cavity (701) is formed between the bottom end of the slider (73) and the first assist member (71), a first cavity (702) is formed between the side of the slider (73) and the first assist member (71), and a second cavity (703) is formed between the top of the slider (73), the first assist member (71) and the second assist member (72).

6. A flexible, extremely short lower leg prosthesis according to claim 5, characterized in that: The assist component also includes an assist floating member (75), which is slidably disposed in a groove (713) on the first assist member (71) and divides the second cavity (703) into an action cavity (7031) and an assist cavity (7032). A reset member (76) is provided between one side of the assist floating member (75) and the second assist member (72) in the assist cavity (7032).

7. A flexible, extremely short lower leg prosthesis according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second assist member (72) has an action platform (722) at its center, and a limiting groove (723) for embedding and fixing the reset member (76) is provided on the inner side of the second assist member (72).

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