Moldable Putty Prosthetic for Amputation Site Contouring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current prosthetic devices for foot amputations are time-consuming, expensive, and prone to errors in customization, leading to delays in healing and potential health issues due to ill-fitting temporary devices.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic device utilizing a moldable putty and activator combination, combined with a lightweight foam section, to create a customizable and durable prosthetic that can be shaped and hardened for precise contouring to the amputation site, allowing for same-day fabrication and improved fit within footwear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional third-party fabrication methods are used, then customized prosthetic devices can be produced, but the process is time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing pre-formed prosthetic components and pre-configured material kits that can be immediately assembled and customized on-site. The prosthetic device includes pre-shaped structural elements and pre-measured components that eliminate the need for time-consuming fabrication processes, allowing same-day or next-day delivery while maintaining customization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating digital or physical templates of standard prosthetic designs that can be rapidly replicated and adjusted. The system includes standardized component libraries and digital modeling capabilities that allow quick generation of customized prosthetics based on patient measurements, eliminating the need for time-consuming hand-crafting processes.
2Manufacturing precision
If third-party fabrication is outsourced, then specialized manufacturing can be achieved, but communication errors and specification mistakes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by providing the patient or their primary care provider with direct access to standardized prosthetic components and simple assembly instructions. The device includes self-contained measurement guides, pre-configured adjustment mechanisms, and clear labeling that enable users to accurately fit and adjust the prosthetic themselves, eliminating communication barriers between multiple parties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the prosthetic device into modular, pre-fabricated components with standardized interfaces and clear identification markings. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured with high precision and then easily assembled by the patient or provider, reducing the complexity of communication and minimizing errors that occur in outsourced fabrication processes.
3Ease of operation
If temporary ill-fitting devices are used during waiting period, then patient can maintain mobility, but additional damage and infection risk occur at amputation site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing patients with a temporary prosthetic device or protective footwear option before the final customized device is ready. The temporary device uses pre-formed protective materials and simple attachment mechanisms that can be immediately applied to protect the amputation site during the fabrication process, preventing damage and infection while maintaining mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates beforehand cushioning by including protective padding, cushioning materials, and pressure-distributing elements in the temporary prosthetic device and footwear options. These protective features are pre-installed to cushion and protect the amputation site from mechanical damage and reduce the risk of infection during the waiting period for the final device.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sizes of kits are used for customization, then patient-specific fit is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single standardized kit that can accommodate multiple patient sizes and body types through adjustable and reconfigurable components. The universal kit includes modular elements, adjustable straps, and reconfigurable structures that can be adapted to fit different amputation sites and footwear requirements without requiring multiple specialized kits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamics by including adjustable and reconfigurable components in the prosthetic device and kits that can be modified to fit different patients. The device features adjustable lengths, reconfigurable modular components, and adaptable attachment mechanisms that allow the same standardized kit to be dynamically adjusted for various patient specifications, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-size kits.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution streamlines the manufacturing process, reduces production time and costs, and provides a more accurate, comfortable, and durable prosthetic device that can be customized to meet individual patient needs, minimizing the risk of further damage or infection at the amputation site.
Implementation Method 1
a moldable material that includes a moldable putty and activator combined together to form a body safe and hardened material configured for placement on a specifically adapted footbed
Implementation Method 2
a light weight section made of foam or a comparable material that can reduce weight in the forefoot and reduces the amount of putty material needed
Data Source
AI summary
An improved prosthesis and method for construction that utilizes at least a moldable material, footplate, and prosthetic portion to make a rapidly usable prosthetic specifically contoured to an interfacing region of an amputated appendage. The moldable material can generally be in the form of a multiple part material that is combined together to form a body safe and hardened material configured for placement on a specifically adapted surface, such as a footbed for placement within footwear.