Adjustable Prosthetic Limb With Telescoping Segments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional prosthetics are costly and require frequent replacements due to patient growth, making them unattainable for many, especially pediatric patients, as they lack adjustable features to accommodate increasing limb size effectively.

Innovation Solution

A prosthetic limb design featuring extendable segments and radially adjustable end assemblies that allow for significant length and thickness modifications, along with a joint assembly and appendage attachments for customizable fit and gait adjustment, utilizing injection-molded plastic components for reduced weight and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional prosthetics are designed as minimal functioning limbs, then cost is reduced, but functionality and aesthetic appeal deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidfunctionality and aesthetic appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic limb is divided into multiple telescoping segments that can be adjusted independently. Each segment can be extended or retracted to change the overall length, allowing the same basic design to serve multiple size requirements while maintaining functionality and aesthetics throughout the adjustment range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The prosthetic incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including telescoping segments, adjustable end assemblies, and modifiable thickness features. These dynamic elements allow the prosthetic to adapt to growing users or changing needs without requiring complete replacement, thereby reducing long-term costs while maintaining high functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If state-of-the-art prosthetics are designed with enhanced functionality, then adaptability improves, but cost increases drastically

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic limb is designed as a universal device that can serve multiple functions and adapt to different users over time. The telescoping segments, adjustable end assemblies, and modifiable thickness features allow a single prosthetic design to accommodate growing pediatric users or users with different size requirements, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices and reducing overall system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If pediatric patients use traditional prosthetics, then initial cost is reduced, but frequency of replacement increases due to growth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial costVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including telescoping segments, adjustable end assemblies, and modifiable thickness features. These dynamic elements allow the prosthetic to adapt to growing pediatric users or changing needs without requiring complete replacement, thereby reducing long-term costs while maintaining high functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If prosthetic limbs are made with fixed length and thickness, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but adaptability to patient growth deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidadjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The telescoping segments are designed with nested structures where smaller segments fit within larger ones. This nesting arrangement allows for compact storage and transport while enabling significant length adjustments when extended, providing high adaptability without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS9333096B2Prosthetic limb

Publication Date: 2016.05.10 UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS

AI summary

A prosthetic limb includes a plurality of extendable segments configured to adjust the length of the prosthetic limb. Also included is a first end assembly operatively coupled to the plurality of extendable segments, wherein the first end assembly is radially adjustable to manipulate the thickness of the prosthetic limb. Further included is a second end assembly operatively coupled to the plurality of extendable segments, wherein the second end assembly is radially adjustable to manipulate the thickness of the prosthetic limb.