Support structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023263646-A1
Application number	US-202118009162-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 8, 2021
Priority date	Jun 9, 2020
Publication date	Aug 24, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A support structure, a prosthesis component, and a method for producing a prosthesis component.

First claim

1 - 15 . (canceled)

16 . A support structure, comprising: at least one composite material, wherein the support structure is a shell-shaped body, 3D structure or free-form surface.

17 . The support structure according to claim 16 , wherein the composite material is selected from the group comprising carbon fibre-reinforced plastics material, glass fibre-reinforced plastics material, aramid fibre-reinforced plastics material, metal fibre-reinforced plastics material, ceramic fibre-reinforced plastics material, natural fibre-reinforced plastics material or mixtures of these.

18 . A prosthesis component, comprising: a sheath and the support structure according to claim 16 , wherein the support structure is attached to the shell on the inside and/or outside.

19 . The prosthesis component according to claim 18 , wherein the sheath is made of a plastics material, ceramic, metal or mixtures of these.

20 . The prosthesis component according to claim 18 , wherein the support structure has at least two mouldings.

21 . The prosthesis component according to claim 20 , wherein the mouldings of the support structure are connected to one another at a point, depending on the force load points.

22 . The prosthesis component according to claim 21 , wherein the sheath and support structure are non-positively and/or positively and/or materially connected to one another at this point.

23 . The prosthesis component according to claim 22 , wherein, in the case of a non-positive and/or positive and/or material connection of the sheath and support structure, a fastener is selected from the group comprising screws or rivets for non-positive connections, and/or from the group comprising adhesives for material connections, and/or clamps for positive connections.

24 . A method for producing a prosthesis component according to claim 18 , comprising the following steps:
a) moulding the sheath by additive manufacturing, injection moulding or casting, b) pretreating the surface of the sheath, c) forming the support structure on the sheath surface pretreated in step b), wherein at least two layers each consisting of at least one composite material portion are applied, d) curing the support structure according to step c) at temperatures in a range from 80 to 150° C. and a pressure of 1 to 10 bar for 3 to 240 min, e) separating the sheath and support structure, f) post-processing the support structure, g) bringing the sheath and support structure together, h) connecting the sheath and support structure by a fastener in a non-positive and/or positive and/or materially-bonded manner.

25 . The method according to claim 24 , wherein the sheath in step a) is formed from a plastics material, ceramic or metal.

26 . The method according to claim 25 , wherein the sheath in step a) is made of a plastics material from the group comprising thermoplastics, elastomers or duromers.

27 . The method according to claim 24 , wherein in step a), when the sheath is moulded, and in step c) when the support structure is formed, the calculated thermal distortion during curing of the prosthesis component made of the sheath and support structure is taken into account, so that steps b) and e) - g) are omitted.

28 . The method according to claim 24 , wherein, in step a), the sheath is adapted on the inside according to the determined individual shape of the amputation stump, and the outer contour corresponds to a standard shape, and the support structure in step c) is formed on a separate tool, wherein at least two layers each consisting of at least one composite fibre material portion are applied, such that the steps b) and e) are omitted.

29 . The method according to claim 24 , wherein, in the case of a non-positive and/or positive and/or material connection of the sheath and support structure, the fastener is selected from the group comprising screws or rivets for non-positive connections, and/or from the group comprising adhesives for material connections, and/or clamps for positive connections.

Assignees

• Sgl Carbon Se

Inventors

• Hinz Denis
• Schubert Fabian
• Schutzbach Jochen

Classifications

• A61F2/7812 Primary

  Interface cushioning members placed between the limb stump and the socket, e.g. bandages or stockings for the limb stump · CPC title

• A61F2/80

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

• A61F2/5046

  for designing or making customized prostheses, e.g. using templates, finite-element analysis or CAD-CAM techniques · CPC title

• A61F2002/5052

  Direct moulding or reforming to the stump · CPC title

• A61F2002/5053

  using a positive or a negative model, e.g. casting model or mould · CPC title