Expandable Cup Prosthetic Socket for Limb Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional prosthetic sockets fail to accommodate the growth and changes in residual limb size, shape, and volume, leading to discomfort, skin breakdown, and high costs due to their inability to adjust and adapt to children's growth, as well as adults' changes from edema or weight fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable prosthetic socket system with an expandable base and suspension system that allows lateral movement, accommodating different limb circumferences through a sliding mechanism and various suspension systems like pin, magnetic, or Velcro, enabling easy adjustment and compatibility with multiple socket types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional hard sockets are used, then initial fit is achieved, but they cannot accommodate limb growth and size changes
Solution Approach 1:
The socket incorporates an expandable cup structure with upright portions that can move laterally between first and second positions, transforming the static socket into a dynamic system that adapts to changing limb dimensions. This allows the same socket to accommodate growth over time without replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket is divided into functional segments: a stationary base structure and a movable expandable cup portion. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the cup position to match limb growth while maintaining the structural integrity of the overall socket assembly.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional sockets rely on one-time limb casting or 3D scanning, then initial socket fabrication is completed, but they do not account for soft tissue compression and changes
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable cup mechanism provides ongoing adaptability after the initial precise fit is established through casting or scanning. The ability to adjust cup position allows compensation for soft tissue compression and dimensional changes that occur over time, extending the socket's effective precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional sockets are fabricated, then a functional prosthesis is provided, but frequent replacements are needed due to growth
Solution Approach 1:
By incorporating the expandable cup mechanism during initial fabrication, the socket is manufactured once but remains adjustable multiple times. This eliminates the need for repeated manufacturing processes and fitting appointments, reducing time loss for children and parents.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable mechanisms are added to accommodate growth, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into simple, discrete components: upright portions that can move between defined positions. This segmentation keeps each component simple while providing cumulative adjustability through the ability to reposition segments relative to each other.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for adjusting an expandable prosthetic device includes: an elongated main support having a longitudinal axis and a distal end, and being adapted to connect to an outer or inner side of an adjustable socket having a distal end; an adjustable cup adapted to connect to the distal end of the elongated main support and having an expandable base and at least one side adapted to move laterally toward or laterally away from the longitudinal axis of the elongated main support; and at least a portion of a suspension system disposed in the adjustable cup and having a top adapted to connect to the distal end of the adjustable socket and a bottom adapted to slidably connect to the expandable base of the adjustable cup.