Adjustable socket system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12053396-B2
Application number	US-202117167385-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 4, 2021
Priority date	May 13, 2015
Publication date	Aug 6, 2024
Grant date	Aug 6, 2024

Abstract

An adjustable socket system includes a distal portion and proximal portion. An axis extends between the distal and proximal portions. A plurality of struts are connected to the distal portion and distributed circumferentially about the axis. The struts at least in part define a receiving volume adapted to receive a residual limb and are movable between an expanded configuration in which at least some of the struts are moved radially outward relative to the axis to loosen the fit of the adjustable system, and a closed configuration in which at least some of the struts are moved radially inward relative to the expanded configuration to tighten the fit of the adjustable socket system. A tightening system is operatively connected to the struts and arranged to differentially tighten and loosen the fit of the adjustable socket system on one or more areas of the residual limb via a single input.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An adjustable socket system comprising:
a distal portion including a base, and a proximal portion;
an axis and a length extending between the distal and proximal portions; and
at least two struts connected to the distal portion and distributed circumferentially about the axis, the at least two struts at least in part defining a receiving volume adapted to receive a residual limb and movable between an expanded configuration in which at least one of the two struts is moved radially outward relative to the axis to loosen a fit of the adjustable socket system, and a closed configuration in which at least one of the two struts is moved radially inward relative to the expanded configuration to tighten the fit of the adjustable socket system;
wherein a first strut of the two struts includes at least one support member at or near the proximal portion of the adjustable socket system, the at least one support member is arranged to define an interface between the residual limb and the first strut, the at least one support member extends along an entire length of the first strut, the at least one support member tapering in a distal direction along the entire length of the first strut, and the at least one support member having a plurality of guides formed on the at least one support member along a distal direction along the entire length of the first strut.

2. The adjustable socket system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one support member is overmolded on the first strut.

3. The adjustable socket system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one support member has a width forming a larger contact surface than the first strut along which it is secured.

4. The adjustable socket system of claim 1 , further comprising a tightening system operatively connected to the at least two struts and arranged to tighten and loosen a fit of the adjustable socket system on the residual limb.

5. The adjustable socket system of claim 4 , wherein the tightening system includes at least one tensioning element rotatably linked to at least one tensioning control mechanism.

6. The adjustable socket system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one tensioning control mechanism is arranged for rotational and incremental control, and allowing tension in the at least one tensioning element to be incrementally increased or decreased.

7. The adjustable socket system of claim 5 , wherein when the at least one tensioning control mechanism is rotated in a first direction, the at least one tensioning element is arranged to be drawn into the at least one tensioning control mechanism to increase tension in the at least one tensioning element and cause the at least two struts in one or more areas of the adjustable socket system to move toward the closed configuration, and tighten a fit of the adjustable socket system.

8. The adjustable socket system of claim 7 , wherein when at the least one tensioning control mechanism is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction, the tightening system is arranged for the at least one tensioning element to exit the at least one tensioning control mechanism, and decrease tension in the at least one tensioning element.

9. The adjustable socket system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one tensioning control mechanism is located at the base of the distal portion of the adjustable socket system.

10. The adjustable socket system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one tensioning element is passed through an interior space of the first strut of the at least two struts.

11. The adjustable socket system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one tensioning element extends to the at least one support member and passes through at least one guide formed on the at least one support member.

12. The adjustable socket system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one support member comprises first and second support members corresponding to first and second struts of the at least two struts, respectively, the at least one tensioning element extending between the first and second support members and arranged to tension the first and second struts more toward the proximal portion than the distal portion of the adjustable socket system.

13. The adjustable socket system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one tensioning element includes a first tensioning element and a second tensioning element, and the at least one tensioning control mechanism comprises a first tensioning control mechanism and a second tensioning control mechanism;
wherein the first tensioning element is rotatably linked to the first tensioning control mechanism operatively connected to a first area of the adjustable socket system, and the second tensioning element rotatably linked to the second control mechanism operatively connected to a second area of the adjustable socket system, such that a first position and/or force applied to the at least two struts in the first area of the adjustable socket system is arranged for control by tensioning the first tensioning element.

14. The adjustable socket system of claim 13 , wherein a second position and/or force applied to the at least two struts in the second area of the adjustable socket system is arranged for being controlled by tensioning the second tensioning element.

15. The adjustable socket system of claim 14 , wherein the first area is arranged to be adjusted and/or controlled independently of the second area.

16. The adjustable socket system of claim 14 , wherein the first area is on an anterior side of the adjustable socket system and the second area is on a posterior side of the adjustable socket system.

17. The adjustable socket system of claim 14 , wherein the first area is on a medial side of the adjustable socket system and the second area is on a lateral side of the adjustable socket system.

18. The adjustable socket system of claim 5 , wherein the first strut includes at least one rod member; wherein the at least one rod member has a telescoping mechanism to increase the length of the first strut and the support member is configured to extend along a length of the at least one rod member;
wherein the support member is overmolded to the at least one rod member.

19. An adjustable socket system comprising:
a distal portion including a base and a proximal portion;
an axis and a length extending between the distal and proximal portions; and
at least two struts connected to the distal portion and distributed circumferentially about the axis, the at least two struts at least in part defining a receiving volume adapted to receive a residual limb and movable between an expanded configuration in which at least one of the two struts is moved radially outward relative to the axis to loosen a fit of the adjustable socket system, and a closed configuration in which at least one of the two struts is moved radially inward relative to the expanded configuration to tighten the fit of the adjustable socket system;
a tightening system operatively connected to the struts and arranged to tighten and loosen the fit of the adjustable socket system on the residual limb;
wherein a first strut of the at least two struts includes at least one support member at or near the proximal portion of the adjustable socket system, the at least one support member is arranged to define an interface between the residual limb and the at least two struts, the at least one support member extends along an entire length of the first strut, the at least one support member tapers in a distal direction along the entire length of the first strut, and the at least one

Assignees

• Ossur Iceland Ehf

Inventors

• Bache Andrew
• Egilsson Egill Sveinbjorn
• Birgisdottir Linda Ros
• Marlin Dana Stewart

Classifications

• A61F2002/503

  for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension · CPC title

• A61F2002/5027

  for adjusting cross-section · CPC title

• A61F2002/5026

  for adjusting a diameter · CPC title

• A61F2/78

  Means for protecting prostheses or for attaching them to the body, e.g. bandages, harnesses, straps, or stockings for the limb stump · CPC title

• A61F2/80 Primary

  Sockets, e.g. of suction type · CPC title