Adjustable Prosthetic Socket Modular Base Side Wall

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing prosthetic sockets are custom-made and lack adjustability, making it difficult to accommodate fluctuations in stump volume and individual stump lengths, limiting adaptability and comfort.

Innovation Solution

A prosthetic socket design featuring a base and side wall components that can be adjusted in length and width using interchangeable and adjustable parts, including supports, tightening devices, and interlocking elements, allowing for customizable fit and load distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If prosthetic sockets are individually produced using custom impressions and plaster positives, then the socket achieves individual suitability for each user's stump, but the manufacturing complexity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual suitabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic socket is divided into modular components: a base portion and a side wall portion that can be separately manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be produced using standardized industrial processes while maintaining the ability to achieve individualized fit through selective assembly and adjustment of the modular parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If prosthetic sockets are custom-made with fixed dimensions, then the socket provides stable structural support, but the ability to adapt to fluctuations in stump volume and length is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to stump fluctuations

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic socket incorporates adjustable elements that allow dynamic modification of its dimensions and configuration. The modular base and side wall portions can be adjusted relative to each other to accommodate changes in stump volume and length, enabling the socket to adapt to fluctuating anatomical conditions while maintaining structural integrity through controlled adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If industrially prefabricated parts are used for prosthetic sockets, then manufacturing efficiency and productivity increase, but the ability to achieve precise individual fit decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidindividual fit precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The base portion and side wall portion are designed as universal modular components that can be used across multiple users and applications. These standardized parts incorporate adjustment mechanisms and connection features that enable precise individualization during assembly, allowing the same prefabricated components to achieve accurate fit for different users through selective configuration rather than custom manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250099272A1Prosthetic socket

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PROD GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a prosthetic socket (1), comprising a base (10) for distal connection means for attaching a prosthesis component to the prosthetic socket (1) and comprising at least one side wall (20), which extends from the base (10) in the proximal direction and at least partially extends around a stump to be held in the prosthetic socket (1), at least one support (40) for fastening the side wall (20) to the base (10) being arranged on the base (10).