Prosthetic Pylon Emulator With Bowden-Cable Force-Deflection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthetic pylons fail to optimize interaction with ankle and foot components, and lack individualized mechanical property adjustment for user-specific comfort and mobility.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic pylon emulator with a first and second frame, a load cell, and a Bowden cable, actuated by an off-board system, providing one degree-of-freedom linear motion and software-controllable force-deflection characteristics, allowing for customizable mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional prosthetic pylons are used, then structural support is provided, but interaction with ankle and foot components is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically adjustable pylon system where mechanical properties such as stiffness and damping can be modified in real-time. The pylon incorporates adjustable elements that allow optimization of interaction with ankle and foot components based on user-specific requirements and activity levels, transforming a static structure into a dynamic adaptive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables changes in mechanical parameters including stiffness, damping, and force-deflection characteristics. By allowing adjustment of these parameters, the pylon can be customized to optimize its interaction with various ankle and foot components, addressing the specific needs of different users and applications.
2Ease of operation
If fixed mechanical properties are used in conventional pylons, then manufacturing is simpler, but user-specific comfort and mobility cannot be individualized
Solution Approach 1:
The pylon is divided into modular segments with adjustable mechanical properties. This segmentation allows different portions of the pylon to have customized characteristics tailored to user-specific comfort and mobility requirements, while maintaining overall structural integrity through the modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates pre-configured adjustment mechanisms and pre-programmed mechanical properties that can be selected or modified before use. This preliminary preparation enables user-specific customization without requiring complex real-time adjustment procedures, balancing ease of operation with device complexity.
3Productivity
If conventional prosthetic pylons are used, then basic structural function is achieved, but rapid testing and customization of mechanical properties is not enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronic or computer-controlled systems. This substitution enables rapid testing and customization of mechanical properties through software control, significantly improving productivity while maintaining or enhancing manufacturing precision through digital parameter control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that allow real-time monitoring and adjustment of mechanical properties during testing and use. This feedback enables rapid iteration and customization of pylon characteristics, improving both productivity and precision by allowing continuous optimization based on measured performance.
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
Enhances user-specific comfort and mobility by optimizing interaction with ankle and foot components, and enabling rapid testing and customization of mechanical properties for improved prosthetic performance.
Implementation Method 1
a load cell positioned intermediate the first frame and the second frame
Implementation Method 2
The Bowden cable is operably engaged with the driver and the off-board actuation and control system. The off-board actuation and control system is configured to pull the Bowden cable in a first direction to actuate the driver
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic pylon emulator for use with a user and an off-board actuation and control system, the user having a pylon socket, and the pylon emulator having a first frame, a second frame, a load cell, a driver, and a Bowden cable is disclosed. The first frame is operably attachable to a prosthesis, the second frame is operably attachable to the pylon socket of the user, and the second frame is slidable relative to the first frame. The first frame is operably coupled to an upper portion of the load cell and the second frame is operably coupled to a lower portion of the load cell. The driver is operably engaged with the first frame and the second frame, and the driver is configured to move the second frame from a retracted position to an extended position relative to the first frame upon actuation of the driver.