Modular Prosthesis with Ball Joint and Shuttle Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing limb replacement solutions struggle to replicate the dexterity and functionality of human limbs, particularly in tool-handling tasks, due to their complexity and limitations, necessitating a device that can function as a tool-handling instrument without grasping ability.

Innovation Solution

A modular upper-limb prosthesis featuring a ball joint and socket system with a shuttle locking mechanism, allowing various tools to be attached and providing a high range of motion while maintaining stability, which includes a socket fitted over a stump cover, a ball attached to the socket, and a shuttle locking mechanism for tool attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If existing limb replacement solutions attempt to recreate the shape and appearance of a human hand, then the prosthesis may resemble a natural limb, but the device becomes incredibly difficult to manufacture and often falls short in functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand shapeVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis is divided into separate functional modules: a pylon (leg portion), a socket interface, and interchangeable tool attachments. This segmentation eliminates the need to manufacture complex hand structures while maintaining functionality, as each component can be produced independently using standard manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of attempting to recreate a human hand and then adding tool capabilities, the invention inverts the approach by directly attaching functional tools to the prosthesis interface. This eliminates the intermediate step of creating anatomically correct hand structures, significantly simplifying manufacturing while achieving the desired tool-handling functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If a prosthesis attempts to replicate human hand dexterity through complex mechanisms, then grasping ability may be restored, but the device complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrasping abilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis employs a universal interface system with standardized tool attachments that can perform multiple functions. Instead of complex mechanisms to replicate human hand dexterity, the system uses a ball-socket interface with shuttle locking that can accommodate various tools (wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.), allowing the user to perform diverse tasks with simple, interchangeable attachments rather than complex integrated mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If a prosthesis is designed with limited functionality to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture improves, but adaptability for different tool-handling tasks decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtool-handling adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis incorporates a dynamic tool attachment system using a ball-socket interface with shuttle locking mechanism. This allows the user to quickly interchange tools based on task requirements, providing high adaptability without increasing manufacturing complexity. The standardized interface enables simple, mass-producible components while maintaining versatility through user-configurable tool selections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11229534B2Multifunctional tooling apparatus with non-anthropomorphic construction

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 QATAR UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A prosthesis may include a fitted stump cover. The prosthesis may also include a socket fitted over the stump cover. The prosthesis may further include a ball attached to the socket. In addition, the prosthesis may include a shuttle locking mechanism attached in part to the ball. Further, the prosthesis may include a tool attached to the prosthesis by the shuttle locking mechanism.