Prosthetic Adapter Module Angular Translational Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing prosthetic limb attachment systems lack the ability to make simultaneous angular and translational adjustments without disassembly, and often compromise on air-tight sealing, affecting proper attachment to the amputation stump.

Innovation Solution

A prosthetic adapter module with a locking ring for stable adjustment and an angle adjustment module allowing adjustments in multiple planes, including distal length adjustment, without disassembly, using a pyramid adapter pin and inclined screws for angular adjustments and a connection washer for translational adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If adjustment devices are provided to allow angular and translational displacement of the prosthetic limb, then the ability to achieve optimal gait efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity of the prosthetic device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment device is divided into separate functional modules: an angular adjustment mechanism with a pyramid adapter pin and inclined adjustment screws, and a translational adjustment mechanism with a connection washer and slot. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall structure through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection washer with its slot is positioned within the adjustment head structure, and the pyramid adapter pin is nested within the connection washer. This nested arrangement allows multiple adjustment functions to be integrated in a compact configuration, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If a through-going hole is provided in the prosthetic sleeve for attachment, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the air-tight sealing is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidair-tight sealing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing a through-going hole in the prosthetic sleeve and trying to seal around it, the invention inverts the approach by providing a through-going hole in the attachment plate and using the pyramid adapter pin to create the seal at the attachment interface. The soft sleeve is compressed between the attachment plate and the prosthetic sleeve, creating the seal where the attachment occurs rather than where the hole is located.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Manufacturing precision

If the attachment point is permanently fixed in the socket, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different socket designs is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment point precisionVSAvoidsocket design compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment plate with its standardized through-going hole and pyramid adapter pin configuration serves as a universal interface that can be attached to various socket designs. The connection washer with its slot accommodates different attachment point positions, allowing the same adjustment mechanism to work with multiple socket types while maintaining precise attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If multiple adjustment mechanisms are provided for angular and translational adjustments, then the measurement precision of position and angle is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition and angle precisionVSAvoidadjustment operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The angular adjustment mechanism (pyramid adapter pin with inclined screws) and the translational adjustment mechanism (connection washer with slot) are merged into a single integrated adjustment head assembly. This allows both types of adjustments to be performed at one location without disassembly, and the locking ring provides a unified locking mechanism for both adjustments, simplifying operation while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3410990B1A prosthetic adapter module

Publication Date: 2022.03.02 FILLAUER EURO AB

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AI summary

An adapter module (2) configured to be attached, by a predetermined number of screws (4), to a socket member (6) of a prosthetic sleeve (8), into which sleeve (8) an amputation stump of a prosthesis user is to be inserted. The adapter module (2) comprises a module body (10) provided with a washer space (12) structured to provide room for a disc-shaped connection washer (14), the washer space (12) has an extension to provide for movement of the connection washer (14) within a plane essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A of said prosthetic sleeve (8) prior the connection washer (14) is fixated in a determined position. The connection washer (14) is provided with a through-going first opening (16) structured to receive a washer attachment screw (18) such that the screw essentially extends along said longitudinal axis A. The through-going first opening (16) is preferably positioned off-centered of the washer (14) in order to maximize movement of the washer in all directions within the plane.