Prosthetic limb cover

Abstract

The invention relates to a prosthetic limb cover (1) in the form of an open tubular element defining a prosthetic frame channel (3) defining a mounting surface (31) for abutting a prosthetic frame (8), wherein said prosthetic frame channel (3) is connected to a longitudinal cut (32) extending outward from said prosthetic limb cover (1) and comprises a detachable connection (5) connecting the walls (33) of said longitudinal cut (32) that are movable apart from each other, characterized in that said detachable connection (5) comprises a shaped connection (6).

Description

[0001] PLJ / VT06PCT - 1 -

[0002] PROSTHETIC LIMB COVER

[0003] The present invention relates to a prosthetic limb cover in the form of an open tubular element defining a prosthetic frame channel defining a mounting surface for abutting a prosthetic frame, wherein said prosthetic frame channel is connected to a longitudinal cut extending outward from said prosthetic limb cover and comprises a detachable connection connecting the walls of said longitudinal cut that are movable apart from each other.

[0004] The present invention is used in orthopedic prosthetics of limbs, especially lower limbs.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] The prior art provides many types of prosthetic limb covers that are attached to the prosthesis on a prosthetic frame using special connecting components. Example designs of such known covers are disclosed, for example, in publications US9956093B1 and WO2018064725A1 . These types of covers with connecting components are relatively heavy, have a relatively complex design, and are high-cost to manufacture. Their installation and also removal from a prosthesis are complicated and tiring for the user, often requiring an assistance of another person.

[0007] To address the shortcomings of these prior art solutions, the inventors of the present invention developed a self-supporting, one-piece prosthetic limb cover, for which they have been granted Polish patent PL242651 B1. This prosthetic limb cover is made of a flexible material and consists of a right and left part, permanently connected by a narrowing at the front and a releasable mounting cut at the rear. At least one fastener is located on the edges of the mounting cut. The right and left parts each have a prosthetic frame recess and a mounting cut on the inside facing the prosthetic frame. The prosthetic limb cover according to this patent is a significant improvement over previously known covers, providing the user with an easier self-installation and removal and eliminating the inconvenience of unwanted movement of the cover on the prosthesis during use. Typical fasteners for this prosthetic limb cover are Velcro, tape, or straps, which can be difficult to install and remove independently, but significantly less difficult than previously known prosthetic limb covers. However, in particularly advantageous versions of the prosthetic limb PLJ / VT06PCT - 2 - cover according to this patent, PL242651 B1 , the fastener comprises magnets placed in airtight pockets formed in the cover fold at the edge of the mounting recess. While these variants provide exceptionally simple and quick installation and removal, they significantly complicate a production of the prosthetic limb cover and increase its weight.

[0008] The purpose of the present invention was to provide an improved prosthetic limb cover that is easy to manufacture, easy to install on the prosthesis and does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art solutions.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] The invention provides a prosthetic limb cover as defined in the outset in the form of an open tubular element defining a prosthetic frame channel defining a mounting surface for abutting a prosthetic frame, wherein said prosthetic frame channel is connected to a longitudinal cut extending outward from said prosthetic limb cover and comprises a detachable connection connecting the walls of said longitudinal cut that are movable apart from each other, characterized in that said detachable connection comprises a shaped connection.

[0011] Said shaped connection is preferably a tongue-and-groove connection, and in particular it is preferably a friction tongue-and-groove connection or a snap-in tongue-and-groove connection.

[0012] Additionally in some embodiments of the present invention said tongue-and-groove connection may preferably comprise one groove common to a plurality of segmented tongues fitted thereto.

[0013] According to the present invention it may be advantageous that a first spacer channel is defined in said longitudinal cut.

[0014] Said open tubular element may have preferably the form of a hollow shell element comprising an inner wall defining said prosthetic frame channel, a mounting surface, walls of said longitudinal cut and said detachable shaped connection, and a peripheral outer wall defining an outer surface of said prosthetic limb cover. PLJ / VT06PCT - 3 -

[0015] The prosthetic limb cover according to the present invention may have alternatively preferably the form of an open tubular element comprising two half-tube parts comprising outer surfaces defining the outer surface of said prosthesis limb cover and inner surfaces facing towards the interior of said prosthesis limb cover, wherein said half-tube parts:

[0016] - define said prosthetic frame channel between their inner surfaces, wherein said prosthetic frame channel defines a mounting surface,

[0017] - are pivotally connected to each other along first edges extending along said prosthetic frame channel by means of a hinge means,

[0018] - are detachably connected to each other along second edges extending along said prosthetic frame channel on the opposite side of said prosthetic frame channel relative to said first edges by means of said detachable shaped connection.

[0019] In such embodiments the prosthetic limb cover according to the present invention may preferably comprise a second spacer channel extending between said prosthetic frame channel and said hinge means.

[0020] Said hinge means preferably comprise a strap hinge.

[0021] Said half-tube parts preferably comprise internal hollow spaces.

[0022] In some embodiments of the present invention It may be advantageous that said half-tube part is in the form of a hollow shell element comprising an inner wall defining said prosthetic frame channel, said mounting surface, the wall of said longitudinal cut and said detachable shaped connection, and a peripheral outer wall defining an outer surface of said prosthetic limb cover.

[0023] According to the present invention it is advantageous that said prosthetic limb cover is a uniform element, preferably in the form of a uniform block of material, preferably produced using a three-dimensional printing process.

[0024] The prosthetic limb cover of the present invention is characterized by a relatively low weight, a relatively easy production method, easy self-installation and self-removal, and high tightness, which results in a reliable protection against an ingress of liquids and against an ingress of other damaging substances that may result in a corrosion or other damage to the prosthesis and the prosthetic limb cover itself. PLJ / VT06PCT - 4 -

[0025] Compared to the prosthetic limb cover disclosed by the inventor of the present invention in his previous Polish patent PL242651 B1 :

[0026] - compared to the variants of the prosthetic limb cover according to the patent PL242651 B1 with a fastener containing Velcro, tapes or straps, the prosthetic limb cover according to the present invention is easier to manufacture and cheaper, is easier to put on / take off and has a better seal, while at the same time retaining all the other advantages of this previously disclosed prosthesis limb cover, and

[0027] - compared to the variants of the prosthetic limb cover according to the patent PL242651 B1 with a fastener containing magnets, the prosthetic limb cover according to the present invention is much lighter, easier and cheaper to manufacture, and features better sealing properties, while at the same time retains all the other advantages of the prosthetic limb cover disclosed previously in the patent PL242651 B1.

[0028] Brief description of drawings

[0029] The invention shall be described and explained below in connection with the attached drawings in which:

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the first embodiment of the prosthetic limb cover according to the present invention in its open state before an installation on a prosthetic frame;

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the first embodiment of the prosthetic limb cover according to the present invention in its closed state and installed on a prosthetic frame;

[0032] Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of the prosthetic limb cover from Fig. 2;

[0033] Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of the second embodiment of the prosthetic limb cover according to the present invention that is analogous to the cross-section of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of the third embodiment of the prosthetic limb cover according to the present invention that is analogous to the cross-section of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 shows a cross-section of the fourth embodiment of the prosthetic limb cover according to the present invention that is analogous to the cross-section of Fig. 3; Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the prosthetic limb cover according to the present invention in its open state before an installation on a prosthetic frame; PLJ / VT06PCT - 5 -

[0034] Fig. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the prosthesis limb cover according to the present invention in its open state before an installation on a prosthetic frame;

[0035] Fig. 9 shows a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of the prosthesis limb cover according to the present invention that is analogous to the cross-section of Fig. 3; Fig. 10 shows a cross-section of an eighth embodiment of the prosthesis limb cover according to the present invention that is analogous to the cross-section of Fig. 3; and

[0036] Fig. 11 shows a cross-section of a ninth embodiment of the prosthesis limb cover according to the present invention that is analogous to the cross-section of Fig. 3.

[0037] Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0038] The first embodiment of the prosthetic limb cover 1 shown in Figs. 1 -3 comprises two half-tube parts 2 connected to each other by a hinge means connection 4 in the form of a living strap hinge 41 .

[0039] The prosthetic limb cover 1 has the form of an open tubular element with the longitudinal axis O.

[0040] The half-tube parts 2 are in the form of half-tube elements rotatable with respect to each other on the strap hinge 41 that is extended parallel to the longitudinal axis O and connected to the half-tube parts 2 along their first edges 23.

[0041] The half-tube parts 2 are rotatable on the strap hinge 41 between an open position in which a prosthetic frame 8 can be inserted into the prosthetic limb cover 1 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis O, and a closed position in which the half-tube parts 2 closely surround the prosthetic frame 8 and are clamped to it by being connected to each other along the second edges 24 by means of a detachable connection 5.

[0042] To accommodate the prosthetic frame 8 in the prosthetic limb cover 1 , the half-tube parts 2 define a prosthetic frame channel 3 between their inner surfaces 22 facing the interior of the prosthetic limb cover 1 in a state of its closure on the strap hinge 41 . PLJ / VT06PCT - 6 -

[0043] The prosthetic frame channel 3 defines a mounting surface 31 intended to be substantially closely adhered to the prosthetic frame 8 and thus ensures reliable seating and positioning of the prosthetic limb cover 1 relative to the prosthetic frame 8. The prosthetic limb cover according to the present invention is therefore a self-supporting element.

[0044] The prosthetic frame channel 3 is connected to a longitudinal cut 32 extending outside the prosthetic limb cover 1 . In the longitudinal cut 32 there is the detachable connection 5 connecting the walls 33 of the longitudinal cut 32 which can be moved apart from each other.

[0045] In the closed state, when the walls 33 of the longitudinal cut 32 and the second edges 24 of the half-tube parts 2 are brought together and the prosthetic limb cover 1 is mounted on the prosthetic frame 8, the outer surface 11 of the prosthetic limb cover 1 is entirely defined by the outer surfaces 21 of the half-tube parts 2.

[0046] The detachable connection 5 of the half-tube parts 2 is realized along the second edges 24 extending along the prosthetic frame channel 3 on the opposite side of this channel 3 relative to the first edges 23 of the half-tube parts 2 and the detachable connection 5 has the form of a shaped connection 6 being in this embodiment a tongue-and-groove connection 61. Furthermore in this embodiment, this shaped connection 6 is specifically a friction tongue-and-groove connection 62 which comprises a tongue 65 with a rectangular cross-section which is press-fit into a groove 64 also with a rectangular cross-section. Both the tongue 64 and the groove 65 are extended along the entire length of the second edges 24 of the half-tube parts 2. After the tongue 64 is inserted into the groove 65, the tongue 64 is fictionally fixed in the groove 65 and the prosthetic frame channel 3 is tightly closed on the prosthetic frame 8 on one side by the tongue 64 and on the other side by the strap hinge 41 .

[0047] The prosthetic limb cover 1 is a single uniform object made of flexible, waterproof material using 3D printing technology. All parts of the prosthetic limb cover 1 are interconnected, thus creating a single material block structure.

[0048] The second embodiment of the prosthetic limb cover 1 according to the present invention, illustrated schematically in Fig. 4, differs from the first embodiment of PLJ / VT06PCT - 7 -

[0049] Figs. 1 -3 in the construction of the shaped connection 6 constituting a detachable connection 5 of the half-tube parts 5. In this embodiment, the shaped connection 6 is a snap-in tongue-and-groove connection 63 comprising a tongue 65 with an terminal thickening 651 of a circular cross-section that is inserted into a matching groove 64 with a circular snap-in channel 641 , to which leads an inlet slot 642 with a width smaller than the diameter of the snap-in channel 641 . After pressing the tongue 65 into the groove 64, the terminal thickening 651 snaps into the snap-in channel 641 and fastens the tongue 65 with a certain force in the groove 64 in a secure manner and at the same time detachable manner.

[0050] Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of the third embodiment of a prosthetic limb cover 1 according to the present invention, comprising yet another embodiment of a snap-in tongue-and-groove connection 63 constituting a releasable connection of the half-tube parts 2. In this embodiment, the tongue 65 has a rhomboidal cross-section and is snapped into a rhomboidal groove 64 for mounting the prosthetic limb cover 1 on the prosthetic frame 8. Furthermore, in this third embodiment, the half-tube parts 2 are in the form of shell elements inside which internal hollow spaces 25 are formed to reduce the weight of the prosthetic limb cover 1 .

[0051] Fig. 6 shows a cross-section of the fourth embodiment of the prosthetic limb cover 1 according to the present invention. Unlike the embodiments described above, in this embodiment the inner surfaces 22 of the half-tube parts 2 in the areas between the prosthetic frame channel 3 and the hinge means 4 and the releasable connection 5, respectively, are not close to each other, but are spaced apart by a certain distance, thus defining a first spacer channel 71 extending between the prosthetic frame channel 3 and the shaped connection 6 and a second spacer channel 72 extending between the prosthetic frame channel 3 and the hinge means 4. In alternative embodiments, it is possible to form only the first spacer channel 71 or only the second spacer channel 72.

[0052] The fifth embodiment of the prosthetic limb cover 1 according to the present invention, as shown in Fig. 7, is a combination of the first embodiment and the second embodiment shown in Figs. 1 -4. In this embodiment, the groove 64 has a uniform cross-section along its entire length, comprising a circular snap-in channel 641 , to which leads an inlet slot 642 with a width smaller than the diameter PLJ / VT06PCT - 8 - of the snap-in channel 641. The tongue 65, on the other hand, has a geometry of a cross-section that is variable along its length and comprises friction sections 652 and snap sections 653. The friction sections 652 have a rectangular cross-section that is press-fitted to the inlet slot 642 of the groove 64, while the snap sections 653 have terminal thickenings 651 with a circular cross-section that is press-fitted to the snap-in channel 641 of the groove 64. This construction ensures a sectional snap fastening of the tongue 65 in the groove 64 in the areas with terminal thickenings 651 and a frictional fastening of the tongue 65 in the groove 64 in the remaining sections.

[0053] Fig. 8 shows yet another sixth embodiment of the prosthetic limb cover 1 according to the present invention, which is a modification of the first embodiment consisted in that the tongue 65 does not run uniformly along the length of the second edge 24 of the half-tube part 2 but comprises a plurality of mutually collinear cuboidal sections of segmented tongues 654 inserted into a single cuboidal groove 64 which is press-fitted thereto. In an alternative embodiment, that is not shown in the Figures, instead of one common groove for all sections of the segmented tongue, it is possible to form a plurality of grooves corresponding to individual sections of the segmented tongue.

[0054] Fig. 9 shows the seventh embodiment of the prosthetic limb cover 1 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the prosthetic limb cover 1 is in the form of a hollow shell element formed by an inner wall 12 passing into an outer wall 13, with a hollow space between them. The inner wall 12 defines the prosthetic frame channel 3, the mounting surface 31 , walls 33 of the longitudinal cut 32 that can be moved apart from each other, and the detachable shaped connection 5, 6. The peripheral outer wall 13, on the other hand, defines the outer surface 11 of the prosthetic limb cover 1. In this embodiment, the shaped connection 6 is a tongue-and-groove connection 61 , and specifically it is a snap-in tongue-and-groove connection 63 comprising a tongue 65 with a terminal thickening 651 of a hexagonal cross-section inserted into the matching groove 64 with a hexagonal snap-in channel 641 , to which leads an inlet slot 642 with the width smaller than the diameter of the snap-in channel 641 . After pressing and inserting the tongue 65 into the groove 64, the terminal thickening 651 snaps into the snap-in channel 641 and fastens the tongue 65 in the groove 64 with a certain force in PLJ / VT06PCT - 9 - a secure manner but at the same time releasable manner. Due to the fact that the inner wall 12 and the outer wall 13 are relatively thin, it is possible to easily move the walls 33 of the longitudinal cut 32 apart from each other and to increase the width of the longitudinal cut 32 in order to enable the prosthetic frame 8 to be inserted through this longitudinal cut 32 into the interior of the prosthetic limb cover 1 . Additionally, in certain preferred embodiments of such a variant, the walls 12, 13 are made of a flexible plastic material, which further facilitates an opening of the longitudinal cut 32.

[0055] Fig. 10 shows the eighth embodiment of the prosthetic limb cover 1 according to the present invention. This embodiment is a modification of the embodiment from Fig. 9, in which an additional connecting inner wall 14 is provided. This additional connecting inner wall 14 constitutes a longitudinal reinforcing rib which runs along the longitudinal axis of the prosthetic limb cover 1 on the opposite side of the prosthetic frame channel 3 in relation to the detachable shaped connection 5, 6 and connects a portion of the inner wall 12 defining the mounting surface 31 of the prosthetic frame channel 3 with the outer wall 13.

[0056] Fig. 11 shows the ninth embodiment of the prosthetic limb cover 1 according to the present invention, which is a combination of the embodiments of the prosthetic limb cover of Figs. 5 and 9. In this example, the prosthetic limb cover 1 comprises two half-tube parts 2 pivotally connected to each other along the first edges 23 extending along the prosthetic frame channel 3 by means of the hinge means 4 in the form of a strap hinge 41 , wherein each of the half-tube parts 2 has the form of a hollow shell element comprising an inner wall 12 and a circumferential outer wall 13. The inner walls 12 of the half-tube parts 2 define the prosthetic frame channel 3 and the mounting surface 31 in the space between them and they define the walls 33 of the longitudinal cut 32 and the detachable shaped connection 5, 6. Whereas the peripheral outer walls 13 of the half-tube parts 2 define the outer surface 11 of the prosthetic limb cover 1. The contact edges of the inner walls 12 with the outer walls 13 of the half-tube parts 2 define their first edges 23 connected to each other by means of the strap hinge 41 and their second edges 24 between which a peripheral outlet of the longitudinal cut 32 is defined. PLJ / VT06PCT - 10 -

[0057] In certain alternative embodiments not shown in the Figures, only one of the half-tube portions may be in the form of a shell member as shown in Fig. 11 , and the other half-tube portion may be of any other construction, for example any of the constructions shown in Figs. 1 -8.

[0058] In the presented Figures the present invention is schematically illustrated as a prosthetic limb cover with a cylindrical outer surface.

[0059] However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the outer surface of the prosthesis limb cover may be of any shape that closely reflects the typical shape of the body part being replaced by the prosthesis. The present invention is not limited to a single type of prosthesis and encompasses any type of outer surface of the prosthesis limb cover, such as, for example, a surface reflecting the typical shape of the calf in the case of a lower leg prosthetic limb cover.

[0060] For all embodiments of the present invention, it is preferred that the prosthesis limb cover according to the present invention is made of a flexible and, in addition, preferably waterproof material.

[0061] In the presented drawing, the prosthetic frame is schematically depicted as a cylinder in all embodiments. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the prosthesis limb cover can be used with any other prosthesis with a different prosthetic frame geometry, provided that the inner surfaces of the half-tube parts of the prosthetic limb cover are matched to the given particular geometry of the prosthetic frame.

[0062] In the Figures, for the purpose of better illustrating the present invention, some features may have been shown exaggerated or reduced / enlarged, and the Figures are not necessarily to scale. The presented embodiments should not be considered as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention that is defined in the patent claims.

[0063] List of reference numerals

[0064] 1 prosthetic limb cover

[0065] 11 outer surface

[0066] 12 inner wall PLJ / VT06PCT - 11 -

[0067] 13 outer wall

[0068] 14 connecting internal wall

[0069] 2 half-tube part

[0070] 21 outer surface

[0071] 22 inner surface

[0072] 23 first edge

[0073] 24 second edge

[0074] 25 internal hollow space

[0075] 3 prosthetic frame channel

[0076] 31 mounting surface

[0077] 32 longitudinal cut

[0078] 33 wall of the longitudinal cut 32

[0079] 4 hinge means

[0080] 41 strap hinge

[0081] 5 detachable connection

[0082] 6 shaped connection

[0083] 61 tongue-and-groove connection

[0084] 62 friction tongue-and-groove connection

[0085] 63 snap-in tongue-and-groove connection

[0086] 64 groove

[0087] 641 snap-in channel

[0088] 642 inlet slot

[0089] 65 tongue

[0090] 651 terminal thickening

[0091] 652 friction section

[0092] 653 snap section

[0093] 654 segmented tongue

[0094] 71 first spacer channel

[0095] 72 second spacer channel

[0096] 8 prosthetic frame

[0097] O longitudinal axis of the prosthetic limb cover 1

Claims

PLJ / VT06PCT - 12 -Claims1. A prosthetic limb cover (1 ) in the form of an open tubular element defining a prosthetic frame channel (3) defining a mounting surface (31 ) for abutting a prosthetic frame (8), wherein said prosthetic frame channel (3) is connected to a longitudinal cut (32) extending outward from said prosthetic limb cover (1 ) and comprising a detachable connection (5) connecting the walls (33) of the longitudinal cut (32) that are movable apart from each other, characterized in that said detachable connection (5) comprises a shaped connection (6).

2. The prosthetic limb cover (1 ) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said shaped connection (6) is a tongue-and-groove connection (61), preferably a friction tongue-and-groove connection (62) or a snap-in tongue-and-groove connection (63).

3. The prosthetic limb cover (1 ) according to Claim 2, characterized in that said tongue-and-groove connection (6) comprises one groove (64) common to a plurality of segmented tongues (654) fitted thereto.

4. The prosthetic limb cover (1 ) according to any one of Claims 1 -3, characterized in that a first spacer channel (71 ) is defined in said longitudinal cut (33).

5. The prosthetic limb cover (1 ) according to any one of Claims 1 -4, characterized in that said open tubular element has the form of a hollow shell element comprising an inner wall (12) defining said prosthetic frame channel (3), a mounting surface (31 ), walls (33) of the longitudinal cut (32) and the detachable shaped connection (5, 6), and a peripheral outer wall (13) defining an outer surface (11 ) of said prosthetic limb cover (1 ).

6. The prosthetic limb cover (1 ) according to any one of Claims 1 -4, characterized in that it is in the form of an open tubular element comprising two half-tube parts (2) comprising outer surfaces (21 ) defining the outer surface (11 ) of said prosthesis limb cover (1 ) and inner surfaces (22) facing towards the interior of said prosthesis limb cover (1 ), wherein said half-tube parts (2)- define the prosthetic frame channel (3) between their inner surfaces (22),PLJ / VT06PCT - 13 - wherein said prosthetic frame channel (3) defines a mounting surface (31 ),- are pivotally connected to each other along first edges (23) extending along said prosthetic frame channel (3) by means of hinge means (4),- are detachably connected to each other along second edges (24) extending along said prosthetic frame channel (3) on the opposite side of said prosthetic frame channel (3) relative to said first edges (23) by means of said detachable shaped connection (5, 6).

7. The prosthetic limb cover (1 ) according to Claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a second spacer channel (72) extending between said prosthetic frame channel (3) and said hinge means (4).

8. The prosthetic limb cover (1 ) according to any one of Claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said hinge means (4) comprise a strap hinge (41 ).

9. The prosthetic limb cover (1 ) according to any one of Claims 6-8, characterized in that said half-tube parts (2) comprise internal hollow spaces (25).

10. The prosthetic limb cover (1 ) according to Claim 9, characterized in that said half-tube part (2) is in the form of a hollow shell element comprising an inner wall (12) defining said prosthetic frame channel (3), said mounting surface (31), said wall (33) of the longitudinal cut (32) and said detachable shaped connection (5, 6), and a peripheral outer wall (13) defining an outer surface (11 ) of said prosthetic limb cover (1 ).

11. The prosthetic limb cover (1 ) according to any one of the preceding Claims 1 -10, characterized in that it is a uniform element, preferably in the form of a uniform block of material, preferably produced using a three-dimensional printing process.

Images