Knee cosmesis
AssigneeProsthetic Design, Inc.
InventorTracy C. Slemker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cosmesis including a thigh component and a shin component that fit over a prosthetic knee joint. The thigh component and shin component are pivotally joined along an axis of rotation coinciding with that of the prosthetic knee joint. The thigh component and shin component can include internal contours molded into their inside walls to seat the prosthetic knee joint securely therein. The knee ball region of the thigh component can be made relatively thicker to provide a protective cushion and allow the patient to kneel. Additionally, a floating knee cap can be fit over the knee ball area. The upper end of the thigh component can be made of sufficiently thin material to permit rolling onto itself.
Claims16
A cosmesis for use with a prosthetic knee comprising:
- a substantially tubular thigh component having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end resembling at least a lower portion of a human thigh, the lower end shaped to receive a proximal segment of an endoskeletal knee chassis, the lower end of the thigh component including thigh component lateral side holes positioned to coincide with an axis of rotation of the endoskeletal knee chassis when received therein;
- and
- a substantially tubular shin component having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end shaped to receive a distal segment of the endoskeletal knee chassis, the upper end of the shin component including shin component lateral side holes positioned to coincide with the axis of rotation of the endoskeletal knee chassis when received therein;
- wherein the thigh component and the shin component are pivotally joined at the thigh component lateral side holes and the shin component lateral side holes such that the thigh component and the shin component are pivotable with respect to one another about the axis of rotation of the endoskeletal knee chassis when the knee chassis is received therein;
- and
- wherein the upper end of the thigh component is adapted to be rolled onto itself such that the upper end can be rolled down approximate a location where the upper end of the thigh component joins the lower end of the thigh component, and be thereafter rolled up about at least one of the proximal segment and a residual limb.
A prosthetic limb comprising:
- a prosthetic knee joint;
- and
- a cosmesis for use with the prosthetic knee joint, the prosthetic knee joint including a proximal segment and a distal segment pivotably joined at a knee joint axis, the cosmesis including
- a generally tubular thigh component made of a flexible material and receiving at least a portion of the proximal segment therein, the thigh component including thigh component lateral side holes coaxial with knee joint axis;
- and
- a generally tubular shin component made of a flexible material and receiving at least a portion of the distal segment therein, the shin component including shin component lateral side holes coaxial with the knee joint axis;
- wherein the thigh component and the shin component are pivotably joined at the thigh component lateral side holes and the shin component lateral side holes such that the thigh component and the shin component are pivotable with respect to one another coaxially about a cosmesis axis;
- wherein the cosmesis axis and the knee joint axis are coaxial;
- and
- wherein the thigh component includes an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the thigh component adapted to be rolled onto itself such that the upper end can be rolled down approximate the location where the upper end joins the lower end, and be thereafter rolled up about at least one of the proximal segment and a residual limb.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.