Prosthetic Socket Virtual Alignment for Efficient 3D Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for manufacturing prosthetic sockets involve manual spatial arrangement of prosthetic parts, leading to inefficiencies in material usage and increased costs, and lack a virtual spatial arrangement process.
Innovation Solution
A method for designing and manufacturing 3D printed or standard prosthetic sockets with a 3D printed distal end, involving virtual axial adjustment of the prosthesis, using a computer device with a software application that includes a database of prosthetic parts and an interactive configurator to automate the spatial arrangement of prosthetic parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual spatial arrangement of prosthetic parts is used, then flexibility in adjustment is maintained, but time consumption and material waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs virtual spatial arrangement of prosthetic parts before actual manufacturing. The software application allows users to virtually position and configure prosthetic components in 3D space, determining the optimal spatial arrangement in advance. This preliminary virtual modeling eliminates the need for repeated manual trial-and-error adjustments during physical assembly, significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining adjustment flexibility.
2Productivity
If manual spatial arrangement of prosthetic parts is used, then adaptability to patient needs is maintained, but material consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The software application enables virtual prototyping and spatial arrangement of prosthetic components before manufacturing. Users can simulate different configurations and adjust the design to match patient-specific requirements in the virtual environment. This preliminary virtual testing allows optimization of material usage by determining the exact spatial arrangement needed, eliminating material waste associated with manual trial-and-error adjustments and physical prototyping.
3Extent of automation
If virtual spatial arrangement is implemented, then time and material efficiency improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a software application as an intermediary between the user and the prosthetic manufacturing process. This software serves as a mediator that handles the complex computational tasks of virtual spatial arrangement, allowing users to interact with a simplified interface while the software manages the underlying complexity of 3D modeling, simulation, and optimization. The intermediary software translates user requirements into precise manufacturing instructions, automating complex spatial calculations without requiring users to directly manage the complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a process of designing and manufacturing a tailored 3D printed or standard prosthetic socket for a residual limb with a 3D printed distal end, and a computer device for carrying out the process. The process includes obtaining a digital surface of the residual limb and information about the patient, possibly altering the digital surface of the residual limb, creating a shell of the prosthetic socket comprising the altered digital surface of the residual limb, virtually spatially arranging the prosthetic socket including virtual spatial translational or rotational movements of selected prosthetic parts and the prosthetic socket for optimal load transfer from a residual limb to the prosthesis, wherein the structural design of the prosthetic socket is based on the virtual axial adjustment of the prosthesis.