Prosthetic Liner Pin Alignment Device for Below-Knee Amputees

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Solution Overview

Problem

Individuals with below-the-knee amputations face difficulties in aligning prosthetic liner pins due to reduced balance, dexterity, and the need to bend over, especially for those who are elderly or overweight, making it challenging to attach prosthetic legs independently.

Innovation Solution

A prosthetic liner and liner pin alignment device featuring a support with a cup-shaped recess and a pin guide aperture, allowing for proper alignment of the liner pin without requiring manual maneuverability, with an adjustable angle and handle for improved accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user manually holds and aligns the liner pin perpendicular to the stump, then the prosthetic leg can be attached, but it requires significant balance, dexterity, and bending ability which elderly or overweight individuals lack

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of liner pin alignmentVSAvoiduser independence

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment device serves as an intermediary tool between the user and the liner pin. It provides a guide structure with a longitudinal axis that receives the liner pin and maintains it in the required perpendicular orientation to the stump, eliminating the need for the user to manually balance and align the pin while preserving user independence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device segments the alignment function into distinct components: a base for stability, a vertical support structure for positioning, and a guide hole for pin insertion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function, making the overall alignment process easier while maintaining user autonomy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the user bends over to align the liner pin, then proper perpendicular alignment can be achieved, but it becomes difficult or impossible for elderly or overweight individuals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidphysical effort required

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device transfers the alignment problem from a horizontal bending motion to a vertical standing position. The guide hole's longitudinal axis is oriented vertically, allowing the user to insert the pin while standing upright, thereby achieving precise perpendicular alignment without requiring the user to bend over

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide structure is pre-configured with the correct angular orientation (perpendicular to the stump surface) before use. This preliminary setup ensures that when the user simply inserts the pin into the guide hole, the alignment is automatically correct, eliminating the need for the user to perform complex bending and positioning actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the liner pin is not aligned properly, then the prosthetic leg cannot be attached, but the user must remove and reattempt alignment which increases time and difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment success rateVSAvoidtime for alignment attempts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces the manual trial-and-error mechanical alignment process with a guided mechanical system. The guide hole's fixed longitudinal axis provides a predetermined correct orientation, ensuring that when the pin is inserted, it is automatically aligned properly, thereby increasing attachment success rate and reducing the time needed for alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9801736B2Alignment device for a prosthetic leg liner pin

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 HORTON LEE A

AI summary

A prosthetic liner and liner pin alignment device has a support, and a body extending from the support. The body has a cup defining an inner wall surface defining a liner-receiving recess having a longitudinal axis and defining a liner pin-receiving guide hole to a liner pin-receiving pin guide aperture. The liner pin-receiving pin guide aperture has a central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the liner-receiving recess.