Quick-Disconnect Prosthetic Attachment with Breakaway Springs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current prosthetic attachment systems to osseointegrated implants lack a safe and easy method for attaching and detaching prosthetic limbs, particularly in situations where axial, bending, and torsional forces can cause trauma or bone fracture, and do not provide adequate compliance to mimic natural movement.
Innovation Solution
A quick-disconnect device with a cam mechanism, torsional breakaway spring, and bending breakaway spring that allows for easy attachment and detachment of prosthetic limbs, providing compliance in three degrees of freedom and adjustable load thresholds to prevent overload and damage, featuring a pyramid attachment device for alignment and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid attachment system is used to securely connect the prosthetic limb to the osseointegrated implant, then the connection strength is improved, but the system cannot accommodate natural movement and shock loading, leading to potential trauma or bone fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates compliant elements and shock-absorbing mechanisms within the attachment device that are designed to cushion and absorb shock loads before they can be transmitted to the osseointegrated implant and bone interface. This beforehand cushioning prevents excessive forces from reaching the bone, thereby avoiding trauma or fracture while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device utilizes materials and structures with specific mechanical properties that allow for controlled deformation under load. By carefully selecting materials with appropriate elasticity and damping characteristics, the system can dynamically adjust its stiffness to accommodate natural movement while maintaining sufficient connection strength during normal use.
2Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism is used to ensure strong connection, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ease of attachment and detachment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment device is divided into distinct functional segments: a secure locking mechanism for reliable connection, and a simple release mechanism for easy detachment. This segmentation allows the device to provide both strong connection during use and simplified operation for attachment/detachment by separating these functions into different operational modes or components.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism incorporates dynamic elements that allow for easy engagement and disengagement. The design may include movable components, spring-loaded elements, or cam mechanisms that enable quick attachment through simple motion and controlled detachment, balancing security during use with ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If a simple attachment device is used to facilitate easy connection and detachment, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide compliance in three degrees of freedom is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment device incorporates multi-functional elements that simultaneously provide mechanical connection, compliance in multiple degrees of freedom, and shock absorption. By designing components that perform multiple functions (e.g., a single element that provides both structural support and elastic compliance), the device achieves complex behavior without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible or compliant elements within the attachment device that can deform in controlled ways to accommodate movement in three degrees of freedom. These flexible components may include elastic elements, compliant mechanisms, or materials with specific mechanical properties that allow for natural movement while maintaining connection integrity.
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 quick-disconnect device ensures safe and easy attachment/detachment of prosthetic limbs, reduces shock loading, and provides a natural feel by allowing compliance in axial, bending, and torsional movements, preventing trauma and bone damage through adjustable load thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of torsional breakaway rollers can be spring biased to a surface of the torsional breakaway spring to generate a spring force to restrict rotation of the limb support housing relative to the percutaneous post support assembly
Implementation Method 2
At least one bending breakaway spring can be deformed in response to a defined bending moment applied between the percutaneous post support assembly and the limb support housing
Data Source
AI summary
Technology is described for easy and safe attachment of a prosthetic limb to a percutaneous post that has been osseointegrated into the remnant limb of an individual with limb loss. A quick-disconnect device for a prosthetic limb can comprise a percutaneous post support assembly comprising a post locking assembly attached to a percutaneous post. A roller support can be coupled to the percutaneous post support assembly and can support torsional breakaway rollers. A release housing assembly can be coupled to the percutaneous post support assembly, and can comprise a limb support housing supporting a limb attachment structure to support a prosthetic limb. The release housing assembly comprises a torsional breakaway spring. The plurality of torsional breakaway rollers are each biased to the torsional breakaway spring to generate a spring force to restrict or limit rotation of the percutaneous post support assembly. Other breakaway springs and rollers are provided for bending release and axial release.