# US 10,479,028 B2 · System and method for making sockets for prosthetic limbs

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- Number: US 10,479,028 B2
- Document ID: US10479028B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/728,044
- Filed: 2015-06-02
- Published: 2015-12-10
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2014-06-04
- Assignees: 3D Systems, Inc.
- Applicants: 3D Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Andrew Zukoski; Andrew Miller
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479028B2

## CPC

- B29C 64/386: Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
- A61F 2/5044: {Designing or manufacturing processes}
- A61F 2/80: Sockets, e.g. of suction type
- B33Y 50/02: for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
- B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing
- G05B 19/4099: Surface or curve machining, making three-dimensional [3D] objects, e.g. desktop manufacturing
- G05B 2219/35134: 3-D cad-cam
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)

## Abstract

A socket for a prosthetic limb is created by making a cast of a residual limb. Marks can be applied to the interior surface of the cast to indicate the locations of anatomical features of the residual limb. The marked interior surface can be scanned and the scan data can be sent to a master fabrication center. The scan data can be modified and a master can be produced from the modified scan data. The socket can then be formed from the plastic material on the master.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for creating a socket for a prosthetic limb comprising: making a first cast of an end portion of a residual limb of a patient; deforming the first cast by applying a compression on a lateral aspect of the first cast and applying an elongation on a ventral aspect and a dorsal aspect of the first cast such that axial displacement is prevented; placing plaster over interior surfaces of the first cast to make a second cast from the first cast; applying markings to the second cast that indicate locations of anatomic features; using a three dimensional scanning device to measure an exterior surface shape of the second cast and markings and generate scan data; creating a digital representation of the residual limb from the scan data of the second cast and markings; creating a master design from the digital representation and modifications to the digital representation; and fabricating a master from the master design.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising:
creating the socket by molding a thermo plastic material with the master.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising:
modifying a topography of the second cast before using the three dimensional scanning device to capture the exterior surface shape of the second cast and markings and generate scan data.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the markings comprising a plurality of colors.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the markings comprising a plurality of shapes.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the markings indicate the location of a bone.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the markings indicate the location of a nerve.