Walking Canister for Dynamic Prosthetic Socket Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current prosthetic socket manufacturing techniques fail to accurately capture the shape of an amputee's residual limb in motion, leading to undue pressure, skin breakdown, and suboptimal alignment between the socket and foot, resulting in discomfort and tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A walking canister system that includes a rigid canister with a suspension bladder and wicking material, a foam insert with a contoured exterior surface, and vacuum ports to apply consistent pressure and suction, allowing for dynamic measurement of the limb while walking, thereby capturing the shape in all three planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the patient is measured while sitting in a static position, then the casting process is simple, but the socket causes undue pressure and skin breakdown on the boney anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static measurement to dynamic measurement by capturing the residual limb shape during walking motion. The system uses a portable scanner that moves with the patient's limb, capturing three-dimensional data in all three planes (sagittal, frontal, transverse) while the patient is actively walking, thereby accounting for the dynamic changes in limb shape under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from static position to dynamic motion, and from single-plane to tri-planar measurement. This allows capture of the limb shape under various loading conditions, providing a more accurate representation of the residual limb's geometry during actual use of the prosthesis.
2Manufacturing precision
If the patient is measured while upright and walking, then the fit and alignment are more accurate, but the measurement system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single portable scanning system that can capture three-dimensional limb geometry, track motion in three planes, and process data dynamically. The system combines scanning, motion tracking, and alignment reference capabilities in one device, eliminating the need for separate static casting and alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical casting systems with a digital optical scanning system. Instead of using plaster casts and physical molds, the system uses light-based scanning to capture limb geometry and motion, then processes the data computationally to generate accurate socket alignment information.
3Ease of manufacture
If a static model is used for socket creation, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but the socket causes discomfort and tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures the residual limb shape in dynamic motion during walking, accounting for the changes in limb geometry under load. This dynamic measurement approach ensures that the resulting socket accommodates the limb's shape during actual use, preventing pressure points and tissue damage that occur with static models.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends measurement from two-dimensional static casts to three-dimensional dynamic scanning in all three anatomical planes (sagittal, frontal, transverse). This tri-planar capture provides comprehensive geometric information about the limb's shape during motion, enabling precise socket fabrication that accommodates dynamic variations.
4Manufacturing precision
If dynamic measurement is implemented, then the socket fit and comfort are improved, but the number of manufacturing steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manufacturing steps into a single integrated process. The portable scanner captures all necessary geometric and alignment data during one dynamic walking measurement session, eliminating the need for separate static casting, molding, and alignment procedures that traditionally required multiple appointments and steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical casting and molding processes with digital optical scanning and computational processing. The scanner captures three-dimensional data during walking, and software automatically processes this data to generate socket fabrication instructions, streamlining the manufacturing workflow.
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
This approach provides a more accurate, comfortable, and less harmful fit by aligning the socket with the foot, reducing the number of steps in the prosthetic manufacturing process, lowering costs, and improving the quality of the prosthetic socket.
Implementation Method 1
an outer chamber wicking material arranged in an outer chamber defined between the suspension bladder and the rigid canister
Implementation Method 2
An outer chamber vacuum port is positioned in the rigid canister and in fluid communication with the outer chamber, and an inner chamber vacuum port is positioned in the rigid canister and in fluid communication with the inner chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The walking canister system and method are for manufacturing a prosthetic socket. The system includes a rigid canister, a suspension bladder positioned within the rigid canister, and an outer chamber wicking material arranged in an outer chamber defined between the suspension bladder and the rigid canister. A foam insert includes a contoured exterior surface configured to transfer pressure through to an interior surface thereof to produce consistent surface contact with a residual limb, of a walking patient, having casting material thereon. An inner chamber wicking material is arranged in an inner chamber defined between the foam insert and the suspension bladder. An outer chamber vacuum port is in fluid communication with the outer chamber, and an inner chamber vacuum port is in fluid communication with the inner chamber. An outer chamber suspension sleeve is configured to extend from the residual limb and over the rigid canister.