PROSTHETIC SUSPENSION DEVICE
A prosthetic suspension device having a positioning element, a coupling element, and a friction-reducing element to facilitate movement of the positioning element towards the coupling element. The positioning element is adapted to maneuver an inner socket of a prosthesis into an outer socket of a prosthesis. The coupling element is configured to receive the positioning element and restrict movement thereof.
This application claims priority from copending U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/554,304, which was filed on Mar. 17, 2004 and entitled “Prosthetic Distal Attachment Device,” the completed disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis disclosure relates generally to prosthetic devices, and more particularly to prosthetic devices for use by lower extremity amputees. The disclosed prosthesis includes a socket assembly having a suspension locking mechanism to assist users in donning the prosthetic device and securing the prosthetic device to a user while the user is physically active.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA prosthetic device, or prosthesis, is an artificial substitute for a part of the body such as a limb. Most prostheses have sockets to attach the prosthesis to the amputee's residual limb. One of the challenges of socket design is to maintain a tight fit between the prosthesis and the residual limb, particularly during unweighting of the limb, such as in the swing phase of gait.
Hydrostatic socket designs typically include a gel liner that is placed over the residual limb of the amputee to couple the residual limb to the prosthesis. The prosthesis may include a hard outer socket and a soft intermediate socket that is placed between the gel liner and the hard socket. A bottom or distal attachment device is connected to the liner and engages with the hard socket to secure the prosthesis to the user. The attachment device is commonly a pin, also known as a shuttle lock. Unfortunately, these devices may be difficult for users to properly align since the user may be unable to see the attachment device while trying to engage the attachment device with the rest of the prosthesis. Donning a prosthesis may also be frustrating for older adults and people with diabetes because they often lack upper body strength that is needed to align and secure the sockets to one another. Additionally, these attachment devices require the user to stand during donning so that gravity may be used to align and secure the prosthetic components.
The present disclosure provides a suspension device for a lower extremity prosthesis. An embodiment of a prosthesis incorporating the disclosed device is shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In aligning inner socket 26 with outer socket 22, positioning element 28 may be passed through an opening 36 in intermediate socket 24, which is shown in
As shown in
As illustrated in
Coupling element 44 may be secured to the outer socket and removably couple the inner socket with the outer socket. The coupling element may receive an extension of the inner socket, such as positioning element 28, and drive the extension through the coupling element. Further, coupling element 44 may selectively restrict movement of the extension, and consequently, movement between the inner socket and the outer socket.
Coupling element 44 may take the form of a ratchet mechanism 46, as depicted in
It should be appreciated that the ratchet mechanism may reduce the amount of upper body strength required by a user to maneuver and secure the inner socket relative to the outer socket. For example, the ratchet mechanism may provide a mechanical advantage to a user as the user adjusts the positioning element to hiss or her preferred tension level. Although the ratchet mechanism shown is similar to that used in snowboard bindings, any suitable ratchet mechanism configuration may be used, including, but not limited to, levers, dials, and the like. Additionally, since ratchet teeth 50 may be angled or sloped and thereby permit motion in a single direction, the strap may be prevented from loosening until the user chooses to disengage the ratchet teeth from the gripping portion. As previously noted, the gripping portion may be deformable to accommodate pressure applied by the coupling element to either maneuver or secure the gripping portion.
It should further be appreciated that lever 48 may be used in other configurations. For example, lever 48 may be used to rotate the positioning element around a spool. However, it is preferable that suspension device 20 is close to being flush with the prosthesis so that it is not visible through a user's clothing.
Another illustrative example of a suitable positioning element configuration is depicted in
Since the tissues of the residual limb may expand and contract throughout the day, it may also be desirable to provide an easy way to adjust the tension of the strap. Coupling element 44 (see
It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where any claim recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claim should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of new claims in a related application. Such new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.
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18. A suspension device for use with a prosthesis having an outer socket and an inner socket, the suspension device comprising:
- a positioning element that provides for user alignment of the inner socket with the outer socket
- a friction-reducing element configured to direct the positioning element toward the user, the friction-reducing element being adapted to reduce frictional resistance against movement of the positioning element.
19. The suspension device of claim 18, wherein the friction-reducing element is positioned adjacent an exterior surface of the outer socket.
20. The suspension device of claim 19, wherein the friction-reducing element is configured to rotate.
21. The suspension device of claim 19, wherein the friction-reducing element has a lower coefficient of friction than the outer socket.
22. The suspension device of claim 19, wherein the friction-reducing element is substantially cylindrical.
23. The suspension device of claim 19, wherein the friction-reducing element includes one or more pulleys.
24. A suspension device for use with a prosthesis having an outer socket and an inner socket, the suspension device comprising:
- a positioning element coupled to the inner socket and adapted to align the inner socket with the outer socket;
- a coupling element mounted to the outer socket and adapted to selectively secure a portion of the positioning element at a user-defined tension; and
- a friction-reducing element configured to reduce friction between the positioning element and the outer socket when selectively securing the positioning element to the coupling element.
25. The suspension device of claim 24, wherein the positioning element includes a gripping portion having a substantially rectangular cross-section.
26. The suspension device of claim 24, wherein the positioning element is coupled with the inner socket at more than one location.
27. The suspension device of claim 24, wherein the positioning element is removably coupled with the inner socket via a hook and loop fastener.
28. The suspension device of claim 24, wherein the positioning element is coupled with the inner socket at a location spaced from a distal end of the inner socket.
29. The suspension device of claim 24, wherein the positioning element includes an elongate strap and a gripping portion, the gripping portion being selectively positionable along the elongate strap.
30. The suspension device of claim 24, wherein the coupling element includes a ratchet mechanism adapted to maneuver the positioning element to a user-defined tension.
31. The suspension device of claim 30, wherein the coupling element includes teeth configured to engage the positioning element, thereby restricting movement of the positioning element relative to the coupling element.
32. The suspension device of claim 24, wherein the coupling element is mounted to a proximal exterior surface of the outer socket.
33. The suspension device of claim 24, wherein the friction reducing element is positioned adjacent to a distal end of the outer socket and is spaced from the coupling element is spaced from the friction reducing element.
34. The suspension device of claim 24, wherein the friction-reducing element is configured to rotate.
35. The suspension device of claim 24, wherein the friction-reducing element is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene.
36. A method of combining an inner socket of a prosthesis to an outer socket of a prosthesis, comprising:
- providing a suspension device including a positioning element coupled to the inner socket, a coupling element mounted to the outer socket, and a friction-reducing element configured to reduce friction between the positioning element and the outer socket when the positioning element is selectively secured to the coupling element;
- passing a portion of the positioning element through the outer socket and into the coupling element so that the positioning element is adjacent the friction-reducing element;
- tightening the positioning element until the inner socket is aligned within the outer socket; and
- securing the positioning element relative to the coupling element.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein a portion of the coupling element is rotated to tighten the positioning element.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 16, 2010
Publication Date: Aug 5, 2010
Inventor: Jeffery W. WARILA (Portland, OR)
Application Number: 12/761,948