Prosthetic Fin With Perpendicular Strap For Residual Limb Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swim and dive fins are designed for individuals with intact feet, lacking adaptability for amputees, who face challenges in securing and using fins effectively with their residual limbs during water-related activities.
Innovation Solution
A fin designed to attach to a residual limb of an amputee, featuring a contoured fin body that flares towards the front with a center membrane for deformation and a perpendicular strap feature for secure attachment, utilizing polymeric materials and a quick-release mechanism for ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional swim fins with full-boot foot packets are used, then the fins can be securely attached to intact feet, but they cannot be adapted for amputees with residual limbs
Solution Approach 1:
The fin is divided into distinct functional components: a contoured body for cupping the residual limb, a flared front portion for hydrodynamic efficiency, and a separate perpendicular strap feature for secure attachment. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall adaptability to residual limbs of various shapes and sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin body is designed with a universal contoured shape that can accommodate different types of residual limbs (arm or leg) and various limb geometries. The perpendicular strap feature provides a universal attachment mechanism that works across different user types, making the fin adaptable to diverse amputee needs without requiring multiple specialized designs.
2Reliability
If the fin body is contoured to cup the residual limb, then secure attachment is achieved, but insertion and adjustment become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The perpendicular strap feature introduces a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the fin to transition from an open insertion state to a secured attachment state. The strap can be easily adjusted during insertion and then locked into place, providing both ease of operation during donning and reliable security during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The perpendicular strap feature acts as an intermediary element between the fin body and the residual limb. It mediates the attachment process by providing a separate, easy-to-manipulate securing mechanism that does not interfere with the contoured body's ability to cup and hold the limb securely.
3Productivity
If the fin body flares towards the front end, then hydrodynamic efficiency is improved, but the attachment area for the strap is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fin body employs asymmetric design with a contoured rear portion that flares towards the front, optimizing hydrodynamic shape for propulsion while preserving a sufficient attachment area at the perpendicular strap location. The asymmetric contouring concentrates material in the propulsion-critical front and rear sections while maintaining structural integrity for strap attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fin body have locally optimized properties: the front portion features aggressive flaring for maximum thrust, the rear portion maintains contoured shaping for secure cupping, and the attachment area preserves sufficient surface area and structural strength specifically for the perpendicular strap feature.
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
Enables efficient underwater propulsion and maneuverability for amputees by securely attaching to their residual limbs, allowing for effective swimming and diving without obstructing the limb insertion and providing flexibility in attachment methods.
Implementation Method 1
The front portion of the flared fin body can includes a center contoured membrane that is configured to deform when the amputee kicks or strokes the fin
Implementation Method 2
The fin body is preferably contoured or curved in the longitudinal direction to cup the residual limb and flares or broadens towards the front end of the fin body
Implementation Method 3
Attached to the flared fin body is a perpendicular strap feature that is configured to wrap around the residual limb and secure the flared fin body thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A fin that includes a flared fin body and a strap feature that is configured to wrap around a residual limb or an amputee thereby allowing the amputee to fin kick in an aquatic environment with the fin attached to the residual limb. The strap feature is preferably perpendicular to the elongated direction of the flared fin body and can include multiple band structures along with any number or release mechanisms. The back portion of the fin is open and void of obstruction allowing the residual limb of the amputee to be inserted under the strap feature and with the flared fin body cupping the residual limb.