Adjustable Prosthetic Socket With Handle-Locked Shell Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional prosthetic sockets are rigid, bulky, and difficult to fit, causing discomfort and soft tissue breakdown due to shape and volume fluctuations of the residual limb, and existing adjustable sockets are labor-intensive and complicated, making them unsafe for users with limited dexterity or cognition.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable socket system with a base, longitudinal supports, and shell components that can move between open and closed configurations, featuring a binary tensioning unit with a handle and tensioning elements, allowing easy donning and doffing, and reducing the risk of over- or under-tightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional rigid sockets are used, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to residual limb shape and volume fluctuations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The socket system transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The shell components can move between locked and unlocked states, allowing the socket to adapt to shape and volume fluctuations of the residual limb while maintaining structural stability when locked in position.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket is divided into multiple shell components that can independently adjust. This segmentation allows different portions of the socket to adapt to different regions of the residual limb, providing localized adjustability while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable sockets with individual components are used, then adaptability to shape and volume fluctuations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple adjustment functions are merged into a single integrated mechanism. The system uses a unified tightening system with handles that control multiple shell components simultaneously, reducing the number of separate adjustment mechanisms and simplifying the overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tightening system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single mechanism. The same handles and tensioning elements control both the locking and unlocking of multiple shell components, making the system multi-functional and easier to operate.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex tightening systems are used, then adjustment precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-locking and self-unlocking features that automatically engage when the handles are manipulated. This self-service mechanism ensures precise adjustment without requiring complex manual operations, making the system easier to operate while maintaining adjustment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioning elements act as intermediaries between the user's simple handle manipulation and the complex shell component adjustments. This intermediary mechanism translates simple user actions into precise adjustments of multiple shell components, improving ease of operation while maintaining adjustment precision.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional sockets are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but comfort deteriorates due to bulkiness
Solution Approach 1:
The socket transitions from a static bulky structure to a dynamic compact structure. When the shell components are locked in position, the socket achieves a compact fit that eliminates bulkiness and improves comfort, while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized components.
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 system provides intuitive and safe fitting, improving comfort and safety for users with limited dexterity or cognition by reducing the need for complex manual dexterity and minimizing the risk of improper tightening.
Implementation Method 1
the handle defines a moment arm rotatable about a rotation axis... Because the handle defines a moment, it provides a user a mechanical advantage, requiring less user strength to move the tensioning unit between the on position and the off position
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable socket system includes first and second shell components and first and second longitudinal supports connected to a base. The socket system is movable between an open configuration to loosen the fit of the socket system, and a closed configuration to secure the fit of the socket system on residual limb received therein. A tightening system includes a tensioning unit having a handle defining a moment arm rotatable about a rotation axis, and a tensioning element operatively coupled to the handle via a movable connection point located and protected between the first shell component and the first support and to the shell components via a control point. Rotation of the handle displaces the movable connection point and the tensioning element relative to the control point to move the socket system to the closed configuration.