Modular Prosthetic Socket with Adjustable Cable Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional prosthetic devices are costly, difficult to fabricate, and require specialized facilities and expertise, making them inaccessible to many individuals, especially those with below-the-knee or above-the-knee amputations, due to the need for custom fitting and adjustments to accommodate varying residual limb shapes and sizes.

Innovation Solution

A modular prosthesis system with adjustable components, including a deformable inner liner and a buckle/cable system, that allows for immediate fitting and alignment on the residual limb, accommodating different sizes and volume fluctuations, and providing adjustable support to accommodate soft tissue compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional custom-fitted prosthetic devices are used, then they can accommodate varying residual limb shapes and sizes, but they are costly, difficult to fabricate, and require specialized facilities and expertise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of residual limb shapes and sizesVSAvoidfabrication difficulty and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic device is divided into modular components including a socket component, pylon component, and foot component that can be independently manufactured and assembled. The socket component features adjustable elements that can be modified without requiring complete custom fabrication, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining adaptability to different residual limb shapes and sizes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The prosthetic device incorporates adjustable and adaptable components that can be modified after initial manufacture. The socket component includes adjustable elements that can be repositioned or reconfigured to accommodate changes in residual limb shape and size over time, eliminating the need for complete custom fabrication while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional prosthetic devices require custom fitting and adjustments, then they can accommodate varying residual limb shapes and sizes, but they are inaccessible to many individuals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustom fitting capabilityVSAvoidaccessibility to individuals

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic device is segmented into modular components that can be independently adjusted and assembled. This modularity allows for simpler fitting procedures that can be performed with less specialized expertise, thereby improving accessibility while maintaining the ability to accommodate varying residual limb shapes and sizes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The prosthetic device includes user-adjustable components that allow the amputee to perform certain adjustments themselves without requiring constant professional intervention. This self-adjustment capability improves accessibility by reducing dependence on specialized facilities and expertise while maintaining proper fit and adaptation to residual limb changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If modular prosthesis system with adjustable components is used, then it allows for immediate fitting and alignment, but it requires multiple components and assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmediate fitting and alignmentVSAvoidnumber of components and assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic device is divided into modular components including socket, pylon, and foot sections that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each component features standardized interfaces and adjustment mechanisms that simplify the assembly process, enabling immediate fitting and alignment while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic component design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular components are designed with universal interfaces and standardized adjustment mechanisms that can be used across different configurations. This universality simplifies the assembly process by reducing the need for custom-fit procedures while enabling immediate fitting and alignment across various amputee requirements, thereby managing device complexity through standardized design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11382775B2Modular prosthetic devices and prosthesis systems

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 IFIT PROSTHETICS LLC

AI summary

An adjustable prosthesis system for a residual limb includes: an adjustable outer shell surrounding the residual limb having a plurality of overlapping flaps, a top opening along a top edge extending around the outer shell, a bottom having a bottom edge opposite the top edge and extending around the bottom, a first side, and a second side having an adjustable width, and a plurality of adjustable overlapping side ends, some of which overlap and some do not, extending from the top edge to the bottom edge; a base adjacent the bottom of the outer shell and connected to it; and a closure component attached to the outer shell to compress the residual limb. Tightening the closure component applies a pulling force to at least one of the first side and the second side, thereby causing a reduction in width of a discontinuity and increased overlap of the side ends.