Transradial Prosthesis With Adjustable Extension for Growing Anatomy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transradial prostheses require extensive customization to fit specific human anatomies, are often expensive, and are not suitable for children, lacking simple customization and adaptability to changing anatomies.
Innovation Solution
A transradial prosthesis with a translational intermediate portion that can extend between the elbow and coupling portions, allowing adaptation to different stump lengths and anatomical changes, featuring a stiff portion and non-stiff materials for comfort and adjustability, and a coupling portion for functional adaptors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transradial prostheses are designed for specific human anatomies through extensive customization, then the fit and functionality are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into modular segments (elbow portion, intermediate portion, coupling portion) that can be independently adjusted. The intermediate portion can be translationally extended or shortened to adapt to different stump lengths without requiring complete customization of the entire prosthesis.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis design incorporates universal adjustment mechanisms that allow a single standardized prosthesis to fit multiple different anatomies. The translational intermediate portion enables the same prosthesis to adapt to various stump lengths and configurations, reducing the need for extensive customization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If transradial prostheses are designed for adults with fixed anatomy, then the initial fit is optimized, but they become unsuitable for children or cases with changing anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate portion is designed to be dynamically adjustable through translational extension and retraction. This allows the prosthesis to adapt to growing children or changing anatomies over time, transforming a static adult-designed prosthesis into a dynamic solution that evolves with the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate portion can be extended or shortened by translating segments relative to each other, creating a nested structure that allows compact storage when retracted and extended configuration when needed, providing adaptability without permanently increasing size.
3Reliability
If the intermediate portion is made completely stiff to guide forces, then the coupling portion stability is improved, but the weight and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire intermediate portion stiff, only the stiff portion is made rigid to guide forces from the coupling portion to the elbow portion. Other portions can use lighter, more compliant materials, achieving the necessary stability locally without uniformly increasing weight throughout the entire prosthesis.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a transradial prosthesis (1) for an upper extremity of a human user, the transradial prosthesis comprising (i) an elbow portion (2) for attaching the transradial prosthesis at an elbow of the upper extremity, (ii) a coupling portion (3) at a distal end of the transradial prosthesis with respect to the elbow portion, and (iii) an intermediate portion (4) between the elbow portion and the coupling portion, wherein the intermediate portion is embodied such that it can be translationally extended along a first direction (5) between the elbow portion and the coupling portion.