# US 2018/0021153 A1 · Modular Prosthetic Sockets and Method for Making Same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021153 A1 - Document ID: US20180021153A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/702,184 - Filed: 2017-09-12 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2011-11-12 - Assignees: LIM Innovations, Inc. - Applicants: LIM Innovations, Inc. - Inventors: Garrett Ray Hurley; Jesse Robert Williams - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021153A1 ## CPC - A61F 2/80: Sockets, e.g. of suction type - A61F 2/5044: {Designing or manufacturing processes} - A61F 2/5046: {for designing or making customized prostheses, e.g. using templates, finite-element analysis or CAD-CAM techniques} - A61F 2/54: Artificial arms or hands or parts thereof - A61F 2/60: Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof - A61F 2/78: Means for protecting prostheses or for attaching them to the body, e.g. bandages, harnesses, straps or stockings for the limb stump - A61F 2/7812: {Interface cushioning members placed between the limb stump and the socket, e.g. bandages or stockings for the limb stump} - A61F 2002/5026: {for adjusting a diameter} - A61F 2002/5027: {for adjusting cross-section} - A61F 2002/503: {for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension} - A61F 2002/5083: {modular} - A61F 2002/546: {Upper arms} - A61F 2002/785: {Pads, e.g. relief pads} - A61F 2230/0067: conical - A61F 2230/0095: Saddle-shaped - Y10T 29/4978: Assisting assembly or disassembly - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - 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) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A prosthetic socket for a residual limb of the lower extremity or upper extremity of an individual person is provided. The residual limb has particular dimensions and anatomical contours; the prosthetic socket has dimensions and contours that fit the dimensions and contours of the residual limb. The prosthetic socket may also fit in a manner that is biomechanically appropriate for the individual. The prosthetic socket may be an assembly from groups of components that include (a) struts arranged longitudinally with respect to the residual limb, (b) proximal brim members arranged proximally to the struts and connected thereto; and (c) distal socket members disposed at the distal base of the prosthetic socket. The socket components within these groups may be modular in that they can vary with respect to dimensions and/or contours, and yet have common connecting features that permit assembly of the components together to form the prosthetic socket. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular prosthetic socket for a residual limb of a human extremity for use with a modular endoskeletal distal component, the socket comprising: a) at least two longitudinal struts, each of the struts having a non-circular cross-sectional shape, each strut having proximal and distal ends; b) a distal base having a proximal aspect and a distal aspect, the base assembled in fixed relation to the struts and adapted to couple the struts to the modular endoskeletal distal component; and c) a distal cup positioned at the proximal aspect of the base, the distal cup having a tapered, concave interior at its distal end, the distal end smaller than the base and adapted to receive the residual limb. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 1, wherein: the struts have an interior aspect facing radially inward and an exterior aspect facing radially outward, and the struts are rotatable relative to the base such that the interior aspect may be angularly displaced. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 1, wherein: the struts have an interior aspect facing radially inward and an exterior aspect facing radially outward, a portion of the interior aspect of the struts facing the distal cup. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the struts is adjustable in length. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 1, wherein: all of the struts are attached to the base. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 1, wherein: the at least two struts consists of four struts. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 1, further comprising: a shock absorbing material, wherein the struts have an interior aspect facing radially inward and an exterior aspect facing radially outward and the shock absorbing material is provided to the interior aspect of one or more struts. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of separable brims coupled over proximal ends of at least two of the struts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 8, further comprising: a flexible band extending between and/or around at least two brims. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 1, further comprising: a flexible band extending between and/or around at least two struts. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 1, wherein: the at least two struts have a common attachment mechanism to fix the struts relative to the base, but the struts have variations in dimension and/or shape from each other. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 1, wherein: the struts are made of a moldable thermoplastic material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 1, wherein: the struts are made of a thermoplastic resin and carbon fibers. ### Claim 14 A modular prosthetic socket for a residual limb of an amputee, the socket for use with a modular endoskeletal distal component, the socket comprising: a) at least two longitudinal struts, each of the struts having a non-circular cross-section and proximal and distal ends; b) a distal base coupling the distal ends of the struts relative to the modular endoskeletal distal component; and c) an element coupled to the base to directly support a garment worn by the amputee over the residual limb. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 14, wherein: at least one of the struts is adjustable in length. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 14, further comprising: a flexible band extending between and/or around at least two struts. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 14, wherein: the struts are made of a moldable thermoplastic material and optionally carbon fibers. ### Claim 18 A modular prosthetic socket for a residual limb of an amputee, the socket for use with a modular endoskeletal distal component, the socket comprising: a) a plurality of longitudinal struts, each of the struts having a non-circular cross-section and proximal and distal ends; b) a distal base for coupling to the modular endoskeletal distal component, at least two of the struts fixed in relation to the base to define an interior aspect and an exterior aspect; and c) at least one first element positioned on at least the interior aspect of the proximal end of the at least two struts, the at least one element softer than the struts. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 18, further comprising: a second element coupled to the base to directly support a garment worn by the amputee over the residual limb. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 18, wherein: at least one of the struts is adjustable in height relative to the distal base. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 18, further comprising: a first band extending between and/or around at least two struts. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 21, wherein: the first band includes: a first portion, a second portion, at least one tensioning element that couples the first and second portions together, and a mechanism that permits loosening or tightening of the at least one tensioning element to adjust tension in the first band. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 18, wherein: the at least one first element comprises brim members removably fitted onto the struts. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 23, further comprising: a second band extending between and/or around at least two brim members. ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) The modular prosthetic socket of claim 18, wherein: the struts are made of a moldable thermoplastic material and optionally carbon fibers. ### Claim 26 A kit for assembly of a modular prosthetic socket for use on a residual limb of an amputee, the socket for use with a modular endoskeletal distal component, the kit comprising: a) a plurality of longitudinal heat-moldable struts; b) a distal base having structure for coupling to the modular endoskeletal distal component, the plurality of struts couplable in fixed relationship relative to a periphery of the distal base; c) a plurality of first elements positionable on at least the interior aspect of the proximal end of the struts, the first elements provided in multiple sizes and/or shapes, the first elements softer than the struts; and d) at least one banding element for extension between and/or around the plurality of longitudinal struts when the struts are in the fixed relationship relative to the periphery of the distal base. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The kit according to claim 26, wherein: at least one strut is length-adjustable. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The kit according to claim 26, wherein: each of the struts has a non-circular cross-section and proximal and distal ends, a length extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a width, and the first elements are wider than the width of the struts. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The kit according to claim 26, wherein: the plurality of struts are in at least two different lengths. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The kit according to claim 26, further comprising: a distal cup positioned at a proximal aspect of the base, the distal cup having a tapered, concave interior at its distal end, the distal end smaller than the base and adapted to receive the residual limb.