Pivotable Flange Socket Adaptor for Prosthetic Limb Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current socket adaptors for prosthetic limbs do not easily conform to stump castings, leading to unreliable connections and potential gaps or weaknesses in the attachment of prosthetic devices.
Innovation Solution
A socket adaptor system featuring a main body with a selectively adjustable central aperture and pivotable, flexible flanges made of sheet metal, which can be configured to closely match the shape of a stump casting, allowing for a secure and tight fit using a binding material like composite overwrap to form a laminated stump socket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional rigid socket adaptors are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but they do not conform to stump castings and create gaps or weaknesses in attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The socket adaptor incorporates flanges made of flexible material that can bend and conform to the contours of the stump casting. These flexible flanges are integrated with the rigid main body, allowing the adaptor to maintain structural integrity while adapting to the unique shape of each patient's stump, eliminating gaps and ensuring precise fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket adaptor transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamic structure with flexible components. The flanges are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing the adaptor to dynamically adjust to the stump casting shape during the lamination process, while the central aperture remains stable and secure for prosthetic attachment.
2Manufacturing precision
If flanges are made flexible to conform to stump shape, then fit precision improves, but excessive bending may cause failure
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the socket adaptor have different mechanical properties: the flanges are made flexible to conform to the stump shape, while the main body and central aperture remain rigid to maintain structural integrity. This local differentiation of material properties allows precise fitting without compromising overall reliability, as each component is optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible flanges are designed to bend only to the extent necessary to conform to the stump casting contours, not excessive bending. The design provides just enough flexibility to achieve precise fit while maintaining sufficient strength to prevent failure during normal use and the lamination process.
3Ease of manufacture
If the central aperture is fixed, then manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot accommodate varying stump sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The central aperture is designed as an adjustable component rather than a fixed opening. This allows the aperture size and shape to be modified during the lamination process to accommodate varying stump dimensions and contours, while the overall manufacturing process remains straightforward and the structural integrity is maintained through the rigid main body framework.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forming a stump socket is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a stump casting, obtaining a socket adaptor, positioning the socket adaptor on a distal end of the stump casting, and applying a binder material to encapsulate the socket adaptor. A socket adaptor may have a main body and multiple flanges. Each of the flanges may have a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end may pivotably connect to the main body. Accordingly, pivoting of the flanges with respect to the main body may enable the socket adaptor to better and more easily conform to the stump casting.