Abstract
The invention relates to a sensor support (10) for arranging on a prosthesis, comprising a main part (20) for receiving sensors, said main part (20) having a sensor section (25) comprising sensors. The main part (20) has a holding section (30) for holding the main part (20) on a prosthesis part and a knitted fabric tube (21). The holding section (30) has a first knitted structure (32) which allows a secure hold of the main part (20) on the prosthesis part, and the sensor section (25) has a different knitted structure (27) which allows a secure positioning of the sensors relative to the prosthesis part.
Claims
1. A Sensor support (10) for arrangement on a prosthesis, in particular an artificial hand or an artificial foot, comprising a main part (20) for accommodating sensors (15), wherein the main part (20) has a sensor section (25) with sensors (15), and a holding section (30) for holding the main part (20) on a prosthesis part, characterized in that the main part (20) has a knitted fabric tube (21), and wherein the holding section (30) has a first knitted structure (32) which enables securely seated holding of the main part (20) on the prosthesis part, and that the sensor section (25) has knitted structure (27) different therefrom, which enables secure positioning of the sensor (15) relative to the prosthesis part.
2. The sensor support according to claim 1, characterized in that besides its first knitted structure (32) the holding section (30) has a second knitted structure (33), which is designed differently from the first knitted structure (32) and in particular is of dimensionally stable design to enclose a prosthesis part.
3. The sensor support according to claim 2, characterized in that besides its first knitted structure (32) the holding section (30) has a third knitted structure (34), which is preferably designed differently from the first knitted structure (32) and the second knitted structure (33), and in particular is of elastic construction.
4. The sensor support according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first knitted structure (32) of the holding section (30) has a first denier and the second knitted structure (33) of the holding section (30) has a second denier, and the third knitted structure (34) of the holding section (30) preferably has a third denier.
5. The sensor support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the knitted structure (27) of the sensor section (25) has a denier which is different from the first denier of the holding section (30).
6. The sensor support according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the knitted structures (27, 32, 33, 34) is produced from a durable synthetic fibre.
7. The sensor support according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sensor section (25) is of multilayer construction and includes a sensor layer (28) in which the sensors (15) are embedded, wherein the sensors preferably comprise at least one pressure sensor and/or at least one force sensor.
8. The sensor support according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an outer protective layer (29) which in the used state faces away from a prosthesis part is provided on the sensor section (25) in addition to the knitted structure (27), and an inner protective layer (26) is preferably provided facing towards the prosthesis part.
9. The sensor support according to claim 8, characterized in that the outer protective layer (29) and/or the inner protective layer (26) is/are designed to inhibit slipping at least in one direction, in particular at least a portion thereof is made from anti-slip material and/or at least a portion thereof is made from material which favours slipping at least in one direction, in particular at least a portion thereof is made from slip-favouring material and preferably has a profile structure for enhancing the anti-slip or slip-favouring property.
10. The sensor support according to either of claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the sensor layer (28) is embedded between the outer protective layer (29) and the inner protective layer (26).
11. The sensor support according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the sensor layer (28) is arranged with a material bond in the sensor section (25).
12. The sensor support according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a control apparatus (50) is provided which is electrically connected to the sensors (15).
13. The sensor support according to claim 12, characterized in that the control apparatus (50) is connected separably to the sensors (15) of the sensor layer (28).
14. The sensor support according to either of claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the control apparatus (50) can be attached preferably separably to the prosthesis part.
15. The sensor support according to claim 14, characterized in that the control apparatus (50) can be attached to the prosthesis part by means of a magnetic holder (55).
Description
IN THE DRAWING
[0054] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sensor support according to the invention,
[0055] FIG. 2 is a top view of a sensor layer of the sensor support of FIG. 1,
[0056] FIG. 3 shows the sensor layer of FIG. 2 in the sensor section of the sensor support of FIG. 1 along cross sectional line III,
[0057] FIG. 4 is a top view of an inner protective layer of the sensor section in the sensor support of FIG. 1,
[0058] FIG. 5 is a top view of an outer protective layer of the sensor section in the sensor support of FIG. 1,
[0059] FIG. 6 is a side view of the sensor support of FIG. 1 with a control apparatus, and
[0060] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sensor support of FIG. 1 with a control apparatus on a prosthesis.
[0061] FIG. 1 shows the sensor support 10 for arrangement on a prosthesis or a prosthesis part, wherein the prosthesis is for example an artificial foot. The sensor support 10 comprises a main part 20, consisting of a knitted fabric tube 21 which is closed at one end (the front) of the tube and has a fabric tube opening 22 at an end of the tube opposite the closed end (the rear). The main part 20 is equipped with a sensor section 25 having sensors 15 (only shown symbolically here) and a holding section 30 with a first knitted structure 32, which allows a secure hold of the main part 20 on the prosthesis part. The sensor section 25 has a knitted structure 27 which is different from the first knitted structure 32, and which allows a secure positioning of the sensors 15 relative to the prosthesis part. A sensor layer 28 in which the sensors 15 are disposed in a structured and systematic way is arranged in the sensor section 25. The knitted structure 27 is made from a durable synthetic fibre, whose denier is designed to ensure long-term protection of the sensors 15. The first knitted structure 32 of the holding section has a denier which is different from the denier of the knitted structure 27 of the sensor section.
[0062] FIG. 2 shows the sensor layer 28 arranged in the sensor section 25 of the sensor support 10. In this exemplary embodiment, the sensor layer 28 has the form of the sole of a foot. In this arrangement, the sensors 15 are disposed in different positions of the sensor layer 28. Four sensors 15 are represented, wherein one sensor 15a is arranged in the heel area, two sensors 15b and 15c are arranged in the area of the ball of the foot, and one sensor 15d is arranged on the foot sole in the area of the toes. The sensors 15 are held in the sensor section with the aid of the knitted structure 27. The denier of the knitted structure 27 has a value of about 0.8 mm. The sensors 15 are pressure sensors and/or force sensors which generate an electrical signal proportional to a pressure force when the pressure force is applied. The sensors 15 are connected to an electrical wire (see FIG. 6) with which the electrical signal can be transported of the sensor layer 28.
[0063] FIG. 3 shows the sensor section 25, which has a multilayer structure. The sensor layer 28 with the sensors 15 embedded therein has an inner protective layer 26 on one side and an outer protective layer 29 on the opposite side. The two protective layers 26 and 29 protect the sensor layer 28 which is positioned between them, so that formation of creases in the sensor layer 28 may be prevented. At least the periphery of the sensor layer 28 is bonded adhesively to the outer protective layer 29.
[0064] FIG. 4 shows the inner protective layer 26 of the sensor section 25. In the use case, this inner protective layer 26 faces towards a leg prosthesis and is therefore in contact with the prosthesis part. A portion of the inner protective layer 26 is made from an anti-slip material 36, which prevents the inner layer 26 from slipping out of position in a first direction 37. In the case of a foot sole, this anti-slip Material 36 is arranged in the heel area, for example. A portion of the inner protective layer 26 is made from a slip-favouring material 38, which improves slipping of the inner protective layer 26 in a second direction 39. In such an arrangement, the first direction 37 may ideally extend in the opposite direction to the second direction 39. In the case of a foot sole, this slip-favouring material 38 is arranged in the region of the ball of the foot, for example. The slip-favouring material 38 is constructed as a multipart profile structure 40, wherein the parts thereof are at a structured, functional distance from each other. For example, the anti-slip material and the slip-favouring material are made from the same material which exhibits the same property in different directions.
[0065] FIG. 5 shows the outer protective layer 29 of the sensor section 25. In the use case, this outer protective layer 29 faces away from the prosthesis and is therefore in contact with the ground on which the prosthesis is supported in the use case. A portion of the outer protective layer 29 is made from an anti-slip material 42, which prevents the outer layer 29 from slipping on the ground in a first direction 43. In the case of a foot sole, this anti-slip Material 42 is arranged in the region of the ball of the foot, for example. A portion of the outer protective layer 29 is made from a slip-favouring material 44, which improves slipping of the outer protective layer 29 in a second direction 45. In such an arrangement, the first direction 43 may ideally extend in the opposite direction to the second direction 45. In the case of a foot sole, this slip-favouring material 44 is arranged in the heel region, for example. The anti-slip material 42 is constructed as a multipart profile structure 46, wherein the parts thereof are at a structured, functional distance from each other.
[0066] For example, the anti-slip material and the slip-favouring material are made from the same material which exhibits the same property in different directions.
[0067] FIG. 6 shows the sensor support 10, which in this case is additionally connected electrically to a control apparatus 50. The main part 20 comprises the fabric tube 21 with a fabric tube opening 22. The main part 20 has a holding section 30 which has a second knitted structure 33 besides it first knitted structure 32, wherein the two are constructed differently. The denier of the first knitted structure 32 has a value of about 0.3 mm. The second knitted structure 33 is dimensionally stable and comprises the heel part of an artificial foot arranged in the fabric tube 21 in the use case. The denier of the second knitted structure 33 has a value of about 1 mm. The holding section further has a third knitted structure 34, which is of elastic construction and has denier value about 0.6 mm. The knitted structures 33, 33, 34 are knitted with synthetic fibre strands. The sensor section 25 comprises the sensors 15, which are connected electrically to the control apparatus 50. For this purpose, each sensor 15 is connected to an electrical wire 16, so that each sensor 15 is connected to the control apparatus 50 to enable the exchange of electrical signals. The electrical signals are generated when an external pressure force is detected at the respective sensor 15, and are then forwarded by said sensor 15 to the control apparatus 50, where they are processed further. The electrical wires 16 initially run inside the sensor layer 26, they then exit the sensor layer 26 and run along the fabric tubes 21 towards the fabric tube opening 22. The fabric tube 21 includes a connecting section 23 (interface) in the area of the fabric tube opening 22. An interface 48 is arranged on the connecting section 23, at which interface the electrical wires 16 are connected separably to the control apparatus 50. The control apparatus 50 is arranged on a conductive strip 49 (ribbon conductor) which contains electrical wires. The electrical wires of the conductive strip 49 connect the control apparatus 50 to the interface 48 so that the electrical signals from the sensors 15 can be exchanged with the control apparatus 50. The conductive strip 49 is separable from the interface 48, which means the control apparatus 50 is connected separably to the sensors 15.
[0068] FIG. 7 shows the sensor support 10 on an artificial foot 61 of a prosthesis 60. The artificial foot 61 is connected mechanically to a prosthesis shaft—in a manner known per se—by a connecting element 62. When the artificial foot 61 is arranged in the sensor support 10, it is inserted in the fabric tube 21 and held in place in a force-fit by the knitted structures 32, 33, 34 of the holding section 30. The sole of the artificial foot 61 lies flush against the sole section 25 of the sensor support 10. Accordingly, when in use the sole of the artificial foot 61 rests indirectly on the sensors 15 of the sensor support. The control apparatus 50 is attached separably to the connecting element 63 of the prosthesis 60 by means of a magnetic holder 55.
[0069] The magnetic holder 55 enables the control apparatus 50 to become detached from the connecting element 63 relatively easily and non-destructively, if a user trips inadvertently somewhere, for example.
[0070] The control apparatus 50 is connected electrically to stimulators 65, which are or can be arranged on a prosthesis shaft 62 of the prosthesis 60. In this way, it is guaranteed that the electrical signals from the sensors 15 are processed in the control apparatus 50 and can be used to excited the respective stimulators 65.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS s
[0071] 10 Sensor support [0072] 15 Sensors [0073] 16 Electrical wires for 15 [0074] 20 Main part [0075] 21 Fabric tube [0076] 22 Fabric tube opening [0077] 23 Connecting section [0078] 25 Sensor section [0079] 26 Inner protective layer [0080] 27 Knitted structure from 25 [0081] 28 Sensor layer [0082] 29 Outer protective layer [0083] 30 Holding section [0084] 32 First knitted structure from 30 [0085] 33 Second knitted structure from 30 [0086] 34 Third knitted structure from 30 [0087] 36 Anti-slip Material [0088] 37 First direction [0089] 38 Slip-favouring material [0090] 39 Second direction [0091] 40 Profile structure from 26 [0092] 42 Anti-slip Material [0093] 43 First direction [0094] 44 Slip-favouring material [0095] 45 Second direction [0096] 46 Profile structure from 29 [0097] 48 Interface [0098] 49 Conductive strip [0099] 50 Control apparatus [0100] 55Magnetic holder [0101] 60 Prosthesis [0102] 61 Artificial foot [0103] 62 Prosthesis shaft [0104] 63 Connecting element [0105] 65 Stimulators
