Prosthetic Cover Shell With Zoned Flexibility for Natural Limb Feel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthetic covers imperfectly reproduce the natural appearance and feel of a replaced limb, failing to accurately mimic the varying hardnesses of the original limb.
Innovation Solution
A sheath or envelope for prosthetic limbs is designed to replicate the flexibility and hardnesses of the replaced limb by varying thickness, material composition, and three-dimensional patterns to create zones of differing flexibility, manufactured using 3D printing with materials like thermoplastic polyurethane and polyamide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a prosthetic cover is made with uniform thickness and material, then it is simple to manufacture, but it cannot accurately reproduce the varying hardnesses of the replaced limb
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic cover incorporates zones with different flexibility characteristics in specific locations to match the varying hardness of different body parts. The cover transitions from uniform structure to differentiated zones, where each zone's material properties or thickness is optimized for the underlying anatomy it covers, thereby accurately reproducing the natural feel of the replaced limb without requiring overly complex manufacturing processes.
2Ease of operation
If openings are provided in the covering for ventilation and weight reduction, then comfort is improved, but the aesthetic appearance and structural integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic cover utilizes flexible material that can incorporate ventilation openings while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic appearance. The flexible nature of the shell allows it to conform to the limb shape and provide ventilation through strategically placed openings that are less visually prominent, thus balancing comfort requirements with aesthetic considerations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a covering shell (1) for a prosthesis (12) of a given limb (2), the shell comprising at least two zones (5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2) of different flexibility (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 9.1, 9.2), wherein the arrangement of said zones between them corresponds to the arrangement of parts of the given limb, having different hardnesses (7, 8).