# US 12,004,974 B2 · Flexible prosthetic cover > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,004,974 B2 - Document ID: US12004974B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/853,774 - Filed: 2022-06-29 - Published: 2023-01-19 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-26 - Applicants: Fusion Limb Systems, LLC - Inventors: Thomas Lizotte - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004974B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/54: Artificial arms or hands or parts thereof - A61F 2/7812: {Interface cushioning members placed between the limb stump and the socket, e.g. bandages or stockings for the limb stump} - A61F 2/60: Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof - A61F 2/80: Sockets, e.g. of suction type - A61F 2002/5001: {Cosmetic coverings} - A61F 2002/5003: {having damping means, e.g. shock absorbers} - A61F 2002/5089: {waterproof} - A61F 2002/7837: {Sleeves for attaching or protecting, i.e. open ended hoses} - 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) ## Abstract A prosthetic cover for a prosthetic support element can include a substantially cylindrical hollow body with a first end and a second end and sized to fit around a support element of a prosthesis. A first flexible end seal and a second flexible end seal can each attach with the substantially cylindrical hollow body at the first and second ends, respectively, and connect the hollow body with the support element of the prosthesis by deforming about the support element when the prosthetic cover is installed around the support element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A prosthetic cover assembly for an elongated prosthetic support element of a prosthesis, the prosthetic cover assembly comprising: an elongated protective cover with a first end and a second end, wherein the elongated protective cover is sized to surround, extend along, and accommodate the elongated prosthetic support element, and wherein the elongated prosthetic support element comprises a first end portion and a second end portion; a first flexible end seal comprising a first seal annular inner perimeter portion, a first seal annular outer perimeter portion that is radially offset from and circumferentially surrounds the first seal annular inner perimeter portion, and a first seal annular middle portion that connects the first seal annular inner perimeter portion and the first seal annular outer perimeter portion, wherein the first seal annular inner perimeter portion defines a first seal inner opening therethrough that is sized to receive the first end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element and is configured for attachment to the first end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element, wherein the first seal annular outer perimeter portion is configured for attachment to the elongated protective cover at the first end, and wherein the first seal annular middle portion is configured to flex to accommodate tilting of the elongated protective cover relative to the elongated prosthetic support element; and a second flexible end seal comprising a second seal annular inner perimeter portion, a second seal annular outer perimeter portion that is radially offset from and circumferentially surrounds the second seal annular inner perimeter portion, and a second seal annular middle portion that connects the second seal annular inner perimeter portion and the second seal annular outer perimeter portion, wherein the second seal annular inner perimeter portion defines a second seal inner opening therethrough that is sized to receive the second end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element and is configured for attachment to the second end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element, wherein the second seal annular outer perimeter portion is configured for attachment to the elongated protective cover at the second end, wherein the second seal annular middle portion is configured to flex to accommodate tilting of the elongated protective cover relative to the elongated prosthetic support element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first seal inner clamp configured to secure the first seal annular inner perimeter portion to the first end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element; and a second seal inner clamp configured to secure the second seal annular inner perimeter portion to the second end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first seal inner clamp or the second seal inner clamp is configured as a tube clamp. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first seal inner clamp or the second seal inner clamp is configured as a locking collar. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 2, wherein: the first seal annular inner perimeter portion comprises a first seal inner tubular flange configured to be clamped to the first end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element by the first seal inner clamp; and the second seal annular inner perimeter portion comprises a second seal inner tubular flange configured to be clamped to the second end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element by the second seal inner clamp. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 5, further comprising: a first seal outer retainer configured to secure the first seal annular outer perimeter portion to the first end of the elongated protective cover; and a second seal outer retainer configured to secure the second seal annular outer perimeter portion to the second end of the elongated protective cover. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first seal outer retainer or the second seal outer retainer is configured as a locking band. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 6, wherein: the first seal annular outer perimeter portion comprises a first seal outer tubular flange configured to be secured to the first end of the elongated protective cover by the first seal outer retainer; and the second seal annular outer perimeter portion comprises a second seal outer tubular flange configured to be clamped to the second end of the elongated protective cover by the second seal outer retainer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the first seal inner tubular flange and the first seal outer tubular flange extend from the first seal annular middle portion towards the second flexible end seal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the second seal inner tubular flange and the second seal outer tubular flange extend from the second seal annular middle portion towards the first flexible end seal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first seal outer retainer configured to secure the first seal annular outer perimeter portion to the first end of the elongated protective cover; and a second seal outer retainer configured to secure the second seal annular outer perimeter portion to the second end of the elongated protective cover. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first seal outer retainer or the second seal outer retainer is configured as a locking band. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 11, wherein: the first seal annular outer perimeter portion comprises a first seal outer tubular flange configured to be secured to the first end of the elongated protective cover by the first seal outer retainer; and the second seal annular inner perimeter portion comprises a second seal outer tubular flange configured to be clamped to the first end of the elongated protective cover by the second seal outer retainer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first seal annular middle portion or the second seal annular middle portion has a curved or wavy radially-oriented cross-section. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first flexible end seal and the second flexible end seal is configured to form a liquid-tight seal with the elongated protective cover. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The prosthetic cover assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first seal annular outer perimeter portion or the second seal annular outer perimeter portion comprise a snap-fit connection portion configured to elastically deform to attach with the elongated protective cover. ### Claim 17 A prosthesis comprising: an elongated prosthetic support element comprising a first end portion and a second end portion; an elongated protective cover with a first end and a second end, wherein the elongated protective cover is sized to fit around a surround, extend along, and accommodate the elongated prosthetic support element; a first flexible end seal comprising a first seal annular inner perimeter portion, a first seal annular outer perimeter portion that is radially offset from and circumferentially surrounds the first seal annular inner perimeter portion, and a first seal annular middle portion that connects the first seal annular inner perimeter portion and the first seal annular outer perimeter portion, wherein the first seal annular inner perimeter portion defines a first seal inner opening therethrough that is sized to receive the first end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element and is configured for attachment to the first end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element, wherein the first seal annular outer perimeter portion is configured for attachment to the elongated protective cover at the first end, and wherein the first seal annular middle portion is configured to flex to accommodate tilting of the elongated protective cover relative to the elongated prosthetic support element; and a second flexible end seal comprising a second seal annular inner perimeter portion, a second seal annular outer perimeter portion that is radially offset from and circumferentially surrounds the second seal annular inner perimeter portion, and a second seal annular middle portion that connects the second seal annular inner perimeter portion and the second seal annular outer perimeter portion, wherein the second seal annular inner perimeter portion defines a second seal inner opening therethrough that is sized to receive the second end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element and is configured for attachment to the second end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element, wherein the second seal annular outer perimeter portion is configured for attachment to the elongated protective cover at the second end, wherein the second seal annular middle portion is configured to flex to accommodate tilting of the elongated protective cover relative to the elongated prosthetic support element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The prosthesis of claim 17, wherein the elongated prosthetic support element comprises an endoskeletal prosthetic support pylon. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The prosthesis of claim 17, further comprising a socket connected with the elongated prosthetic support element, wherein the socket is configured to receive an extremity of a user. ### Claim 20 A method of covering an elongated prosthetic support element of a prosthesis, the method comprising: receiving an elongated protective cover with a first end and a second end, wherein the elongated protective cover is sized to fit around a surround, extend along, and accommodate the elongated prosthetic support element, and wherein the elongated prosthetic support element comprises a first end portion and a second end portion; receiving a first flexible end seal comprising a first seal annular inner perimeter portion, a first seal annular outer perimeter portion that is radially offset from and circumferentially surrounds the first seal annular inner perimeter portion, and a first seal annular middle portion that connects the first seal annular inner perimeter portion and the first seal annular outer perimeter portion, wherein the first seal annular inner perimeter portion defines a first seal inner opening therethrough that is sized to receive the first end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element and is configured for attachment to the first end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element, wherein the first seal annular outer perimeter portion is configured for attachment to the elongated protective cover at the first end, and wherein the first seal annular middle portion is configured to flex to accommodate tilting of the elongated protective cover relative to the elongated prosthetic support element; receiving a second flexible end seal comprising a second seal annular inner perimeter portion, a second seal annular outer perimeter portion that is radially offset from and circumferentially surrounds the second seal annular inner perimeter portion, and a second seal annular middle portion that connects the second seal annular inner perimeter portion and the second seal annular outer perimeter portion, wherein the second seal annular inner perimeter portion defines a second seal inner opening therethrough that is sized to receive the second end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element and is configured for attachment to the second end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element, wherein the second seal annular outer perimeter portion is configured for attachment to the elongated protective cover at the second end, and wherein the second seal annular middle portion is configured to flex to accommodate tilting of the elongated protective cover relative to the elongated prosthetic support element; attaching the first flexible end seal to the elongated prosthetic support element by attaching the first seal annular inner perimeter portion to the first end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element; attaching the first flexible end seal to the elongated protective cover by attaching the first seal annular outer perimeter portion to the first end of the elongated protective cover; attaching the second flexible end seal to the elongated prosthetic support element by attaching the second seal annular inner perimeter portion to the second end portion of the elongated prosthetic support element; and attaching the second flexible end seal to the elongated protective cover by attaching the second seal annular outer perimeter portion to the second end of the elongated protective cover.