Prosthetic method and apparatus

An adjustable prosthesis system for a residual limb, comprising:

• an adjustable outer shell having a top opening along a top edge that extends around said adjustable outer shell and into which the residual limb is insertable, a bottom surface opposite the top opening, and an adjustable inner volume, the adjustable inner volume having an outer shell width, the bottom surface of the adjustable outer shell configured to be weight bearing for the residual limb;
• at least one closure component attached to the adjustable outer shell and adapted to adjust the width of the adjustable inner volume of the adjustable outer shell;
• and
• an adjustable inner liner in the adjustable outer shell, adapted to receive the residual limb, the adjustable inner liner having an inner liner width that adjusts responsive to adjustment of the outer shell width, the adjustable inner liner having a discontinuity bordered by two respective edges about a circumference thereof, wherein the edges move towards or away from each other as the inner liner width is adjusted;
• and
• a connector adjustably coupled to the bottom of the adjustable outer shell and adapted for coupling an artificial limb to the connector;
• wherein the adjustable outer shell includes an exterior surface extending around said outer shell, said exterior surface having side ends that overlap and extend between the top opening and the bottom surface, and that slide one relative to the other, wherein tightening of the closure component causes one of the side ends to slide relative to an other of the side ends in order to decrease the outer shell width;
• wherein tightening of the closure component causes the adjustable outer shell itself to increase tension at multiple locations around the adjustable outer shell towards its adjustable inner volume;
• wherein the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends of the adjustable outer shell, wherein tightening of the closure component creates pulling force where the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends;
• and
• wherein tightening of the closure component applies force to the side ends in opposite directions, respectively, so that the side ends transition from a first amount of overlap to a second amount of overlap greater than the first amount of overlap.

An adjustable prosthesis system for a residual limb, comprising:

• an adjustable outer shell having a top opening along a top edge that extends around said adjustable outer shell and into which the residual limb is insertable, a bottom surface opposite the top opening, and an adjustable inner volume, the adjustable inner volume having an outer shell width, the bottom surface of the adjustable outer shell configured to be weight bearing for the residual limb;
• at least one closure component attached to the adjustable outer shell and adapted to adjust the width of the adjustable inner volume of the adjustable outer shell;
• an adjustable inner liner in the adjustable outer shell, adapted to receive the residual limb, the adjustable inner liner having an inner liner width that adjusts responsive to adjustment of the outer shell width, the adjustable inner liner having a discontinuity bordered by two respective edges about a circumference thereof, wherein the edges move towards or away from each other as the inner liner width is adjusted;
• and
• at least one pull cord attached to the adjustable outer shell and adapted to tighten the adjustable prosthesis system about the residual limb;
• wherein the adjustable outer shell includes an exterior surface extending around said adjustable outer shell, said exterior surface having side ends that overlap and extend between the top opening and the bottom surface, and that slide one relative to the other, wherein tightening of the closure component causes one of the side ends to slide relative to an other of the side ends in order to decrease the outer shell width;
• wherein tightening of the closure component causes the adjustable outer shell itself to increase tension at multiple locations around the adjustable outer shell towards its adjustable inner volume;
• wherein the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends of the adjustable outer shell, wherein tightening of the closure component creates pulling force where the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends;
• and
• wherein tightening of the closure component applies force to the side ends in opposite directions, respectively, so that the side ends transition from a first amount of overlap to a second amount of overlap greater than the first amount of overlap.

An adjustable prosthesis system for a residual limb, comprising:

• an adjustable outer shell having a top opening along a top edge that extends around said adjustable outer shell and into which the residual limb is insertable, a bottom surface opposite the top opening, and an adjustable inner volume, the adjustable inner volume having an outer shell width, the bottom surface of the adjustable outer shell configured to be weight bearing for the residual limb;
• at least one closure component attached to the adjustable outer shell and adapted to adjust the width of the adjustable inner volume of the adjustable outer shell;
• an adjustable inner liner in the adjustable outer shell, adapted to receive the residual limb, the adjustable inner liner having an inner liner width that adjusts responsive to adjustment of the outer shell width, the adjustable inner liner having a discontinuity bordered by two respective edges about a circumference thereof, wherein the edges move towards or away from each other as the inner liner width is adjusted;
• a first stiffening member on a first side of the adjustable outer shell;
• and
• a second stiffening member on a second side of the adjustable outer shell substantially opposite the first side, wherein
• a proximal end of the adjustable outer shell extends above a knee portion of the residual limb,
• a proximal end of the inner liner extends above the proximal end of the adjustable outer shell, and
• the at least one closure component applies a force that moves the first and second stiffening members toward each other and moves an inner side of the adjustable outer shell and an inner side of the adjustable inner liner toward the residual limb,
• whereby at least a portion of the proximal end of the adjustable inner liner grasps the residual limb;
• wherein the adjustable outer shell includes an exterior surface extending around said adjustable outer shell, said exterior surface having side ends that overlap and extend between the top opening and the bottom surface, and that slide one relative to the other, wherein tightening of the closure component causes one of the side ends to slide relative to an other of the side ends in order to decrease the outer shell width;
• wherein tightening of the closure component causes the adjustable outer shell itself to increase tension at multiple locations around the adjustable outer shell towards its adjustable inner volume;
• wherein the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends of the adjustable outer shell, wherein tightening of the closure component creates pulling force where the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends;
• wherein tightening of the closure component applies force to the side ends in opposite directions, respectively, so that the side ends transition from a first amount of overlap to a second amount of overlap greater than the first amount of overlap;
• and
• wherein the at least one closure component comprises a buckle and a cable.

An adjustable prosthesis system for a residual limb, comprising:

• an adjustable outer shell having a top opening along a top edge that extends around said adjustable outer shell and into which the residual limb is insertable, a bottom surface opposite the top opening, and an adjustable inner volume, the adjustable inner volume having an outer shell width, the bottom surface of the adjustable outer shell configured to be weight bearing for the residual limb;
• at least one closure component attached to the adjustable outer shell and adapted to adjust the width of the adjustable inner volume of the adjustable outer shell;
• and
• an adjustable inner liner in the adjustable outer shell, adapted to receive the residual limb, the adjustable inner liner having an inner liner width that adjusts responsive to adjustment of the outer shell width, the adjustable inner liner having a discontinuity bordered by two respective edges about a circumference thereof, wherein the edges move towards or away from each other as the inner liner width is adjusted;
• wherein the adjustable outer shell includes an exterior surface extending around said adjustable outer shell, said exterior surface having side ends that overlap and extend between the top opening and the bottom surface, and that slide one relative to the other, wherein tightening of the closure component causes one of the side ends to slide relative to an other of the side ends in order to decrease the outer shell width;
• wherein tightening of the closure component causes the adjustable outer shell itself to increase tension at multiple locations around the adjustable outer shell towards its adjustable inner volume;
• wherein the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends of the adjustable outer shell, wherein tightening of the closure component creates pulling force where the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends;
• wherein tightening of the closure component applies force to the side ends in opposite directions, respectively, so that the side ends transition from a first amount of overlap to a second amount of overlap greater than the first amount of overlap;
• and
• wherein the adjustable inner liner comprises:
• an outer wall,
• a flexible inner wall spaced apart from the outer wall and surrounding an inner cavity adapted to receive the residual limb,
• an annular cavity between the outer wall and the flexible inner wall, the annular cavity adapted to receive a liquid foam or other material,
• at least one removable inlet tube fluidly connected to the annular cavity adapted to transmit a flow of the liquid foam or other material into the annular cavity, and
• at least one removable outlet tube fluidly connected to the annular cavity adapted to transmit at least a portion of the flow of the liquid foam or other material out of the annular cavity,
• wherein the adjustable inner liner has an upper end and a lower end, and at least a portion of the adjustable inner liner is deformable.

An adjustable prosthesis system for a residual limb, comprising:

• an adjustable outer shell having a top opening along a top edge that extends around said adjustable outer shell and into which the residual limb is insertable, a bottom surface opposite the top opening, and an adjustable inner volume, the adjustable inner volume having an outer shell width, the bottom surface of the adjustable outer shell configured to be weight bearing for the residual limb;
• at least one closure component attached to the adjustable outer shell and adapted to adjust the width of the adjustable inner volume of the adjustable outer shell;
• an adjustable inner liner in the adjustable outer shell, adapted to receive the residual limb, the adjustable inner liner having an inner liner width that adjusts responsive to adjustment of the outer shell width, the adjustable inner liner having a discontinuity bordered by two respective edges about a circumference thereof, wherein the edges move towards or away from each other as the inner liner width is adjusted;
• a cup having an upper end connected to a distal end of the adjustable outer shell, an inner space, and a lower end;
• a pyramid connector below and connected to the lower end of the cup and adapted to adjustably connect to a shank or an other prosthetic device;
• and
• a clutch positioned in the inner space of the cup and adapted to connect to the pyramid connector, thereby sandwiching the lower end of the cup between the clutch and the pyramid connector;
• wherein the adjustable outer shell includes an exterior surface extending around said adjustable outer shell, said exterior surface having side ends that overlap and extend between the top opening and the bottom surface, and that slide one relative to the other, wherein tightening of the closure component causes one of the side ends to slide relative to an other of the side ends in order to decrease the outer shell width;
• wherein tightening of the closure component causes the adjustable outer shell itself to increase tension at multiple locations around the adjustable outer shell towards its adjustable inner volume;
• wherein the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends of the adjustable outer shell, wherein tightening of the closure component creates pulling force where the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends;
• and
• wherein tightening of the closure component applies force to the side ends in opposite directions, respectively, so that the side ends transition from a first amount of overlap to a second amount of overlap greater than the first amount of overlap.

An adjustable prosthesis system for a residual limb, comprising:

• an adjustable outer shell having a top opening along a top edge that extends around said adjustable outer shell and into which the residual limb is insertable, a bottom surface opposite the top opening, and an adjustable inner volume, the adjustable inner volume having an outer shell width, the bottom surface of the adjustable outer shell configured to be weight bearing for the residual limb;
• at least one closure component attached to the adjustable outer shell and adapted to adjust the width of the adjustable inner volume of the adjustable outer shell;
• and
• an adjustable inner liner in the adjustable outer shell, adapted to receive the residual limb, the adjustable inner liner having an inner liner width that adjusts responsive to adjustment of the outer shell width, the adjustable inner liner having a discontinuity bordered by two respective edges about a circumference thereof, wherein the edges move towards or away from each other as the inner liner width is adjusted;
• wherein the adjustable outer shell includes an exterior surface extending around said adjustable outer shell, said exterior surface having side ends that overlap and extend between the top opening and the bottom surface, and that slide one relative to the other, wherein tightening of the closure component causes one of the side ends to slide relative to an other of the side ends in order to decrease the outer shell width;
• wherein tightening of the closure component causes the adjustable outer shell itself to increase tension at multiple locations around the adjustable outer shell towards its adjustable inner volume;
• wherein the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends of the adjustable outer shell, wherein tightening of the closure component creates pulling force where the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends;
• wherein tightening of the closure component applies force to the side ends in opposite directions, respectively, so that the side ends transition from a first amount of overlap to a second amount of overlap greater than the first amount of overlap;
• wherein the adjustable inner liner is a friction suspension system comprising:
• a sleeve adapted to be rolled onto the residual limb with an inner side of the sleeve adjacent an outer side of the residual limb, at least a portion of an outer side of the sleeve having a first textured material, and
• a flexible liner adapted to be wrapped around the sleeve when the sleeve has been rolled onto the residual limb with at least a portion of an inner side of the flexible liner adjacent at least a portion of the outer side of the sleeve, at least a part of said portion of the outer side of the sleeve having a second textured material,
• wherein the first textured material and the second textured material are adapted to meet and form a bond, and
• wherein the adjustable inner liner has an upper end and a lower end, and at least a portion of the adjustable inner liner is deformable.

An adjustable prosthesis system for a residual limb, comprising:

• an adjustable outer shell having a top opening along a top edge that extends around said adjustable outer shell and into which the residual limb is insertable, a bottom surface opposite the top opening, and an adjustable inner volume, the adjustable inner volume having an outer shell width, the bottom surface of the adjustable outer shell configured to be weight bearing for the residual limb;
• at least one closure component attached to the adjustable outer shell and adapted to adjust the width of the adjustable inner volume of the adjustable outer shell;
• and
• an adjustable inner liner in the adjustable outer shell, adapted to receive the residual limb, the adjustable inner liner having an inner liner width that adjusts responsive to adjustment of the outer shell width, the adjustable inner liner having a discontinuity bordered by two respective edges about a circumference thereof, wherein the edges move towards or away from each other as the inner liner width is adjusted;
• wherein the adjustable outer shell includes an exterior surface extending around said adjustable outer shell, said exterior surface having side ends that overlap and extend between the top opening and the bottom surface, and that slide one relative to the other, wherein tightening of the closure component causes one of the side ends to slide relative to an other of the side ends in order to decrease the outer shell width;
• wherein tightening of the closure component causes the adjustable outer shell itself to increase tension at multiple locations around the adjustable outer shell towards its adjustable inner volume;
• wherein the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends of the adjustable outer shell, wherein tightening of the closure component creates pulling force where the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends;
• wherein tightening of the closure component applies force to the side ends in opposite directions, respectively, so that the side ends transition from a first amount of overlap to a second amount of overlap greater than the first amount of overlap;
• and
• wherein a top edge along an outer side of the adjustable outer shell is higher than a top edge along an inner side of the adjustable outer shell opposite the outer side of the adjustable outer shell.

An adjustable prosthesis system for a residual limb comprising:

• an adjustable outer shell having a top opening along a top edge that extends around said adjustable outer shell and into which the residual limb is insertable, a bottom surface opposite the top opening, and an adjustable inner volume, the adjustable inner volume having an outer shell width, the bottom surface of the adjustable outer shell configured to be weight bearing for the residual limb;
• at least one closure component attached to the adjustable outer shell and adapted to adjust the width of the adjustable inner volume of the adjustable outer shell;
• an adjustable inner liner in the adjustable outer shell, adapted to receive the residual limb, the adjustable inner liner having an inner liner width that adjusts responsive to adjustment of the outer shell width, the adjustable inner liner having a discontinuity bordered by two respective edges about a circumference thereof, wherein the edges move towards or away from each other as the inner liner width is adjusted;
• a connector adjustably coupled to the bottom of the adjustable outer shell and adapted for coupling an artificial limb to the connector;
• and
• at least one pull cord attached to the adjustable outer shell and adapted to tighten the adjustable prosthesis system about the residual limb;
• wherein the adjustable outer shell includes an exterior surface extending around said outer shell, said exterior surface having side ends that overlap and extend between the top opening and the bottom surface, and that slide one relative to the other, wherein tightening of the closure component causes one of the side ends to slide relative to an other of the side ends in order to decrease the outer shell width;
• wherein tightening of the closure component causes the adjustable outer shell itself to increase tension at multiple locations around the adjustable outer shell towards its adjustable inner volume;
• wherein the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends of the adjustable outer shell, wherein tightening of the closure component creates pulling force where the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends;
• and
• wherein tightening of the closure component applies force to the side ends in opposite directions, respectively, so that the side ends transition from a first amount of overlap to a second amount of overlap greater than the first amount of overlap.

An adjustable prosthesis system for a residual limb, comprising:

• an adjustable outer shell having a top opening along a top edge that extends around said adjustable outer shell and into which the residual limb is insertable, a bottom surface opposite the top opening, and an adjustable inner volume, the adjustable inner volume having an outer shell width, the bottom surface of the adjustable outer shell configured to be weight bearing for the residual limb;
• at least one closure component attached to the adjustable outer shell and adapted to adjust the width of the adjustable inner volume of the adjustable outer shell;
• an adjustable inner liner in the adjustable outer shell, adapted to receive the residual limb, the adjustable inner liner having an inner liner width that adjusts responsive to adjustment of the outer shell width, the adjustable inner liner having a discontinuity bordered by two respective edges about a circumference thereof, wherein the edges move towards or away from each other as the inner liner width is adjusted;
• and
• a connector adjustably coupled to the bottom of the adjustable outer shell and adapted for coupling an artificial limb to the connector;
• wherein the adjustable outer shell includes an exterior surface extending around said outer shell, said exterior surface having side ends that overlap and extend between the top opening and the bottom surface, and that slide one relative to the other, wherein tightening of the closure component causes one of the side ends to slide relative to an other of the side ends in order to decrease the outer shell width;
• wherein tightening of the closure component causes the adjustable outer shell itself to increase tension at multiple locations around the adjustable outer shell towards its adjustable inner volume;
• wherein the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends of the adjustable outer shell, wherein tightening of the closure component creates pulling force where the closure component is rigidly attached to one of the side ends;
• wherein tightening of the closure component applies force to the side ends in opposite directions, respectively, so that the side ends transition from a first amount of overlap to a second amount of overlap greater than the first amount of overlap;
• and
• wherein the at least one closure component comprises a buckle and a cable.