Adjustable Pyramid Adapter for Prosthetic Feet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prosthetic feet lack adaptability to varying user needs and activities, often requiring multiple devices due to trade-offs between flexibility and durability, and struggle to match individual user preferences and conditions.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic foot with an adjustable length pyramid composite spring member connector that allows users or practitioners to modify stiffness by lengthening or shortening the adapter, optimizing the foot for different activities, weights, and preferences through a mechanism involving a base portion, movable member, and adjustment member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If spring members are made more flexible to provide cushioning and comfort, then flexibility and comfort are improved, but structural strength and durability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the spring members by heat treating them to different temperatures, which alters their metallurgical properties and stiffness characteristics. This allows the same spring member design to provide different flexibility levels while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and strength.
2Reliability
If prosthetic feet are designed for specialized use with specific stiffness, then performance for that activity is improved, but adaptability to other activities and user variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the prosthetic foot dynamically adjustable by providing multiple heat-treated spring members with different stiffness levels. Users can swap spring members based on activity requirements, transforming a static, specialized design into a dynamic, adaptable system that optimizes performance for various conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
By manufacturing spring members with different heat treatment parameters resulting in varying stiffness characteristics, the system enables adaptation to different user weights, activities, and preferences without requiring complete redesign of the prosthetic foot structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom design is implemented to tailor prosthetic feet to individual users, then user-specific performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the customization process by creating interchangeable spring member components with different stiffness levels. Instead of customizing the entire prosthetic foot for each user, only the spring members need to be selected and swapped, dramatically simplifying manufacturing while maintaining individualized fit and performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic device and related methods includes an elongate support member having a first surface, and an adapter mounted to the support member. The adapter includes a base portion, a movable member, a connector portion, and an adjustment member. The adjustment member is operable to move the movable member relative to the base portion to change an effective length of an interface between the adapter and the first surface of the support member. The connector portion extends from the base portion and is configured to releasably secure the prosthetic foot to a prosthesis.