Adaptable Socket System, Method, and Kit

The system of claim 2, wherein the connector assembly further comprises:

• a cam follower;
• and
• a cam,
• wherein the cam follower and cam are operatively connected to move the outer surface towards the center axis and adapted to press together the inner surface of the first paddle and the first target area in such a way that the inner surface of the first paddle imparts the optimal tissue compression to the first target area.

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

• choosing a first paddle having an inner surface and an outer surface and a second paddle having an inner surface 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 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;
• assembling an adapter and the first and second paddles to form a socket,
• wherein the adapter is at the socket distal end and the second paddle ends are at the socket proximal end,
• wherein the socket has a center axis,
• wherein the adapter further comprises:
• a connector assembly, and
• a prosthetic attachment interface adapted to connect to a proximal end of the prosthetic device,
• wherein the connector assembly attaches the prosthetic attachment interface to the first paddle ends,
• wherein the method further comprises:
• using an external tool to adjust the socket,
• wherein the external tool comprises:
• a projectable member;
• and
• a compression bar,
• wherein using the external tool comprises:
• attaching the projectable member to the compression bar;
• attaching the compression bar to the first paddle;
• operating the projectable member against the compression bar so that the outer surface moves towards the first target area and the inner surface of the first paddle imparts an optimal tissue compression to the first target area;
• and
• detaching the compression bar from the first paddle,
• wherein the connector assembly is adapted to maintain the optimal tissue compression to the first target area when the compression bar is detached from the first paddle;
• and
• pressing with the connector assembly the first paddle end of the second paddle so that the inner surface of the second paddle imparts an optimal tissue compression to the second target area,
• wherein the connector assembly imparts substantially no compression to nonpaddle areas,
• wherein the socket is adapted to substantially support the target during a weight-bearing user activity,
• 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 first and second target area,
• wherein the adapter is adapted to be worn during normal ambulation,
• wherein the nonpaddle areas include relief areas.

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

• a 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,
• wherein the connector assembly adjustably attaches the prosthetic attachment interface to the slidable coupling track,
• wherein the paddle 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 paddle is chosen from a plurality of paddles of different shapes in such a way that the inner surface of the 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.

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

• choosing a paddle having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first paddle end, and a second paddle end from a plurality of paddles of different shapes in such a way that the inner surface of the paddle is substantially coextensive with a target area,
• wherein the first paddle end lies on an opposite end of the paddle from the second paddle end;
• assembling an adapter, a slidable coupling track, and the paddle to form a socket,
• wherein the adapter is at the socket distal end and the second paddle end is at the socket proximal end,
• wherein the socket has a center axis,
• wherein the adapter further comprises:
• a connector assembly, and
• a prosthetic attachment interface adapted to connect to a proximal end of the prosthetic device,
• wherein assembling an adapter, a slidable coupling track, and the paddle to form a socket further comprises:
• attaching the first paddle end to the slidable coupling track;
• and
• adjustably attaching the prosthetic attachment interface to the slidable coupling track using the connector assembly in such a way that slidable coupling track allows movement of the connector assembly along the slidable coupling track radially with respect to the center axis;
• and
• operating the connector assembly and slidable coupling track so that the outer surface moves towards the center axis and the inner surface of the paddle imparts an optimal tissue compression to the target area,
• wherein the connector assembly imparts substantially no compression to a nonpaddle area,
• wherein the socket is adapted to substantially support the target during a weight-bearing user activity,
• wherein the paddle is made of a material that is sufficiently stiff to impart the optimal tissue compression to the target area,
• wherein the adapter is adapted to be worn during normal ambulation,
• wherein the nonpaddle area includes a relief area.