US 10,369,027 B2Granted

Adaptable socket system, method, and kit

AssigneeRandall D. Alley

InventorRandall D. Alley

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Abstract

An adjustable socket system, method, and kit for use with prosthetic devices or orthotic, orthopedic, or exoskeletal support devices that includes a paddle and a compressing device coupled to the paddle. The paddle is chosen from a plurality of paddles of different shapes in such a way that the paddle inner surface is substantially coextensive with a soft tissue area overlying skeletal structures. The compressing device presses the paddle against the soft tissue area in order to minimize the motion of the paddle relative to the underlying skeletal structures without causing discomfort to the user or compressing areas not in contact with the paddle, allowing compressed tissue to flow into uncompressed areas. The system, method, and kit can include an external tool, sensors, actuators, and controllers, to assist fitting and for adjustment after fitting. A stabilizer can be added to resist the bending force on the paddle.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A system for engaging a target with a prosthetic device comprising:

a first paddle having an inner surface and an outer surface;
a second paddle having an inner surface,
wherein each paddle has a first paddle end and a second paddle end,
wherein each of the first paddle ends lies on an opposite end of each paddle from each of the second paddle ends;
an adapter,
wherein the adapter further comprises:
a connector assembly;
and
a prosthetic attachment interface,
wherein the connector assembly attaches the prosthetic attachment interface to the first paddle ends of each of the first and second paddles,
wherein the first paddle, the second paddle, and the adapter form a socket with the adapter at the socket distal end and the second paddle ends of each paddle at the socket proximal end,
wherein the socket is adapted to substantially support the target during a weight-bearing user activity,
wherein the prosthetic attachment interface is adapted to connect to a proximal end of the prosthetic device,
wherein the socket has a center axis,
wherein the paddles are chosen from a plurality of paddles of different shapes in such a way that the inner surface of the first paddle is substantially coextensive with a first target area and the inner surface of a second paddle is substantially coextensive with a second target area,
wherein the inner surface of the first paddle is adapted to be in contact with the first target area and the inner surface of the second paddle is adapted to be in contact with the second target area when worn;
and
an external tool comprising:
a projectable member rigidly affixed to a compression bar, and the compression bar is rigidly affixed to the first paddle, such that moving the projectable member inwardly and outwardly from the center axis moves the compression bar and the first paddle inwardly and outwardly to press the inner surface of the first paddle against the first target area to impart an optimal tissue compression to the first target area,
wherein the connector assembly is adapted to maintain the optimal tissue compression on the first target area when the compression bar is detached from the first paddle,
wherein the connector assembly is adapted to press together the inner surface of the second paddle and the second target area in such a way that the inner surface of the second paddle imparts an optimal tissue compression to the second target area,
wherein the first paddle is made of a first material and the second paddle is made of a second material and the first material and second material are sufficiently stiff to impart the optimal tissue compression to the target areas,
wherein the connector assembly is adapted to impart substantially no compression to nonpaddle areas when worn,
wherein the adapter is adapted to be worn during normal ambulation,
wherein the nonpaddle areas include relief areas.

22 more elements

A system for engaging a target with a prosthetic device comprising:

a plurality of paddles, each paddle having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first paddle end, and a second paddle end,
wherein the first paddle end and second paddle end lie on opposite ends of the paddle;
an adapter;
a slidable coupling track attached to the first paddle end,
wherein the adapter further comprises:
a connector assembly;
and
a prosthetic attachment interface,
an external tool comprising a projectable member rigidly affixed to a compression bar,
wherein the compression bar is rigidly affixed to the paddle such that moving the projectable member inwardly and outwardly from the center axis moves the compression bar and the paddle inwardly and outwardly to press the inner surface of the paddle against a target area to impart an optimal tissue compression to the target area;
wherein the connector assembly adjustably attaches the prosthetic attachment interface to the slidable coupling track,
wherein the plurality of paddles and the adapter form a socket with the adapter at the socket distal end and the second paddle end at the socket proximal end,
wherein the socket is adapted to substantially support the target during a weight bearing user activity,
wherein the prosthetic attachment interface is adapted to connect to a proximal end of the prosthetic device,
wherein the socket has a center axis,
wherein the plurality of paddles are chosen from a larger plurality of paddles of different shapes in such a way that the inner surface of each chosen paddle is substantially coextensive with a target area,
wherein the inner surface is adapted to be in contact with the target area when worn,
wherein the slidable coupling track is configured to allow movement of the connector assembly along the slidable coupling track radially with respect to the center axis to press together the inner surface and the target area in such a way that the outer surface moves towards the center axis and the inner surface imparts an optimal tissue compression to the target area,
wherein the paddle is made of a material that is sufficiently stiff to impart the optimal tissue compression to the target area,
wherein the connector assembly is adapted to impart substantially no compression to a nonpaddle area when worn,
wherein the adapter is adapted to be worn during normal ambulation,
wherein the nonpaddle area is configured to include a relief area.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/012,852Filed 2 Feb 2016 · continuation
Priority: 31 Oct 2012
Published: US 2016/0158035 A19 Jun 2016
Granted: 6 Aug 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

A61F 2/78
Prostheses not implantable in the body: means for protecting prostheses or for attaching them to the body, e.g. bandages, harnesses, straps or…
A61F 2/70
Operating or control means: electrical
A61F 2/76
Prostheses not implantable in the body: means for assembling, fitting or testing prostheses, e.g. for measuring or balancing
A61F 2/80
Means for protecting prostheses or for attaching them to the body, e.g. bandages, harnesses, straps or stockings for the limb stump: sockets, e.g.…

Family

Application61/720,934Us provisional application · filed 31 Oct 2012
Application61/732,493Us provisional application · filed 3 Dec 2012
Application13/797,957Parent of this continuation · filed 12 Mar 2013
US 2016/0158035 A1Pre-grant publication · published 9 Jun 2016
US 9,283,093 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2014/0121783 A1Published application
US 10,369,027 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.