Actuatable Prosthesis Device with Trigger Signal Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing prosthetic devices can only generate a limited number of body signal patterns, restricting the number of assignable prosthetic movements and hindering the device's ability to replicate the replaced body part realistically.

Innovation Solution

An actuatable prosthetic device with multiple sets of body signal patterns and associated prosthetic movements, where a trigger signal switches between sets, allowing the same body signal pattern to be assigned to different prosthetic movements across sets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple body signal patterns are used to control prosthetic movements, then the number of assignable prosthetic movements increases, but the complexity of body signal generation and user training increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of prosthetic movementsVSAvoidbody signal pattern complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control system into multiple independent sets of body signal patterns (first set, second set, third set, etc.), where each set can be independently activated by a trigger signal. This allows the prosthetic device to access multiple movements without requiring the user to master a single complex set of patterns, as they can switch between simpler sets as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes body signal patterns universal by assigning the same pattern to multiple different prosthetic movements across different sets. For example, a first body signal pattern can control a first prosthetic movement in the first set, a second prosthetic movement in the second set, and a third prosthetic movement in the third set. This multi-functionality reduces the number of distinct patterns users must learn while expanding movement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the same body signal pattern is assigned to multiple prosthetic movements across different sets, then the number of movements increases without increasing pattern complexity, but the system complexity for managing multiple sets increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of prosthetic movementsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic switching between different sets of body signal patterns using a trigger signal. The system can transition from a first set to a second set, or from a second set to a third set, based on the detection of the trigger signal. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same body signal pattern to control different prosthetic movements depending on which set is currently active, thereby increasing versatility without requiring users to learn multiple distinct patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4132432B1Actuatable prosthesis device, electronic data processing device, and method for actuating a prosthesis device
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PROD GMBH
  • EP4132432B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4132432B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4132432B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an actuatable prosthesis device (2), comprising at least one drive (4), an electronic data processing device (E), and at least one sensor assembly (6) for arranging on a body part of a prosthesis wearer. The at least one sensor assembly (6) is designed to detect body signal patterns (X, Y, Z), and the electronic data processing device (E) is designed to actuate the at least one drive (4) on the basis of a detected body signal pattern (X, Y, Z) such that the prosthesis device (2) carries out a prosthesis movement assigned to the body signal pattern (X, Y, Z), wherein at least two sets (S1, S2) of body signal patterns (X, Y, Z) and prosthesis movements assigned to each body signal pattern are stored on the electronic data processing device (E), and at least one trigger signal (T) which switches over between the sets (S1, S2) is assigned to the sets (S1, S2).