MEDICAL DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A DATA MODEL OF A LIMB STUMP, SET, METHOD AND RETAINING STOCKING OR SENSOR ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A medical apparatus for use in generating a data model of a limb stump is provided, wherein the apparatus includes at least a pressure vessel with a fluid chamber or a pressure chamber for receiving or storing a fluid, wherein the pressure vessel includes a wall made of a first material, wherein the wall limits an interior of the pressure vessel against an exterior, and wherein the pressure vessel includes an insertion opening for inserting the limb stump into the interior of the pressure vessel. The apparatus further includes a fluid-impermeable membrane made of a second material and arranged to form or limit the fluid chamber or the pressure chamber. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises an adherent stocking or another sensor arrangement, to be pulled over the limb stump, wherein the adherent stocking includes sensors for generating the data model.

Claims

1. A medical apparatus for use in generating a data model of a limb stump, in particular of a lower leg stump; wherein the apparatus comprises at least: a pressure vessel with a fluid chamber or a pressure chamber for receiving or storing a fluid, in particular one being under pressure, wherein the pressure vessel comprises a wall made of a first material, wherein the wall limits an interior of the pressure vessel against an exterior, wherein the pressure vessel comprises an insertion opening for inserting the limb stump into the interior of the pressure vessel; and a fluid-impermeable membrane made of a second material, which membrane is arranged to form or limit the fluid chamber or the pressure chamber; and an adherent stocking or another sensor arrangement, to be pulled over the limb stump, wherein the adherent stocking or the sensor arrangement comprises sensors for generating the data model.

2. The medical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensors are at least one of magnetic and metallic particles.

3. The medical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensors are position sensors.

4. The medical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure vessel is at least partially made of plastic.

5-13. (canceled)

14. The medical apparatus according to claim 1, having an arrangement of sensors, wherein the sensors are suitable to capture data over the surface of a limb stump, and wherein the arrangement of the sensors is star-shaped.

15. The medical apparatus according to claim 1, having an arrangement of sensors, wherein the sensors are suitable to capture data over the surface of a limb stump, and wherein the sensors are elongated and are arranged lengthwise in rows or chains.

16. (canceled)

17. A set having at least one medical apparatus according to claim 1; and at least one of a transmitting device for transmitting and a receiving device for receiving signals of the sensors present in the adherent stocking or in the sensor arrangement.

18. The set according to claim 17, having at least one of a signal processing device for processing the signals of the sensors, and an evaluating device for evaluating the signals of the sensors.

19. A method for generating a data model of a limb stump, the method encompassing the steps: providing a medical apparatus according to claim 1; detecting signals of the adherent stocking or of the sensor arrangement; generating a data model of the limb stump.

20. The method according to claim 19, encompassing the further step of transferring the data model to a production facility for producing a prosthesis stump.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the production facility is a 3D printer or a milling machine.

22. An adherent stocking or sensor arrangement to cover or to be pulled over a limb stump, wherein the adherent stocking or the sensor arrangement comprises sensors for generating a data model.

23. (canceled)

24. The adherent stocking or sensor arrangement according to claim 22, wherein at least one of the adherent stocking and the arrangement of the sensors on the adherent stocking or on the sensor arrangement are star-shaped.

25. The adherent stocking or sensor arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the sensors are elongated and are arranged lengthwise in rows or chains.

26. (canceled)

27. The adherent stocking or sensor arrangement according to claim 22, wherein at least one of the adherent stocking and the arrangement of the sensors is connected to a retaining device.

28. The adherent stocking or sensor arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the adherent stocking comprises an arrangement of sensors.

29. The adherent stocking or sensor arrangement according to claim 22, having strap-shaped sections, wherein at least some of the sensors are present on the strap-shaped sections.

30. The adherent stocking or sensor arrangement according to claim 29, wherein at least some of the strap-shaped sections, which carry sensors, are connected to each other preferably at their ends, however in other sections they are spaced apart from the adjacent strap-shaped sections.

31. The adherent stocking or sensor arrangement according to claim 29, wherein at least some of the strap-shaped sections are connected to at least one further strap-shaped section in a hinged manner.

32. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: rotating the adherent stocking or the sensor arrangement about its longitudinal axis, for instance about a midpoint, and again detecting signals from sensors of the adherent stocking or of the sensor arrangement.

Description

[0215] In the following, the present invention is exemplarily explained with regard to the accompanying drawings in which identical reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. In the partly highly simplified figures, the following applies:

[0216] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinally cut medical apparatus according to the present invention;

[0217] FIG. 2 shows a set according to the present invention with the apparatus according to the present invention, a transmitting device and/or a receiving device and a signal processing device and/or a signal evaluating device;

[0218] FIG. 3 shows the apparatus according to the present invention with a connector at the lower end area of the membrane;

[0219] FIG. 3a shows a way of connecting the membrane and the upper edge of the wall in a possible embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

[0220] FIG. 4 shows an adherent stocking according to the present invention in a side view;

[0221] FIG. 5 shows a sensor arrangement according to the present invention on an elastic surface or an elastic carrier;

[0222] FIG. 6 shows a sensor arrangement as in FIG. 5 with the limb stump being inserted therein, which sensor arrangement contacts the limb stump like an octopus—from below with upwardly facing arms;

[0223] FIG. 7 shows the sensor arrangement of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 in a further embodiment;

[0224] FIG. 8a shows a sensor arrangement according to the present invention in a further embodiment, disposed or applied on a medical apparatus according to the present invention, in a top view on the latter, with a view in its interior;

[0225] FIG. 8b shows the medical apparatus of FIG. 8a from the side;

[0226] FIG. 9 shows the sensor arrangement according to the present invention in a further embodiment; and

[0227] FIG. 10a, b show the sensor arrangement according to the present invention again in a further embodiment.

[0228] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary, longitudinally (i.e. with respect to FIG. 1 from top to bottom) cut apparatus 100 from the side. The apparatus 100 comprises at least one pressure vessel 1 with a wall 3, a membrane 5 and an adherent stocking 215.

[0229] The pressure vessel 1, shown in FIG. 1 as purely optionally cylindrical, comprises optionally a first end side 2 (at the top in FIG. 1) and a second end side 4 (at the bottom in FIG. 1). The second end side 4 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 is fluid-tight sealed by a bottom plate or bottom surface 4a against an exterior A. The bottom surface 4a may be made of the same material as the wall 3.

[0230] The membrane 5 separates, in a fluid-tight manner, a fluid chamber or pressure chamber DK of the pressure vessel 1 from an exterior of the fluid chamber or pressure chamber DK, or exemplarily from the exterior A, i.e., a surrounding of the pressure vessel 1, or, as shown in FIG. 1, against a limb stump KS inserted into, or surrounded by, the membrane 5.

[0231] The membrane 5 may be fluid-tight connected to the pressure vessel 1 at an upper, usually ring-shaped, rectangular, square or differently shaped circumferential edge 7 of the wall 3, or at another site.

[0232] The upper edge or rim 7 is situated in a plane in which there is an insertion opening 9 of the pressure vessel 1 or it delimits said insertion opening 9 at its circumference. The insertion opening 9 is situated in the plane which is indicated with a dashed line.

[0233] The insertion opening 9 serves for inserting the limb stump KS, which is optionally wrapped with the adherent stocking 215, into an interior I of the pressure vessel 1.

[0234] The interior I is the volume delimited by the wall 3 of the pressure vessel 1. It extends from the second end side 4, which is fluid-tightly sealed by the bottom surface 4a, to the insertion opening denoted with 9 and indicated by a dashed line.

[0235] The pressure chamber DK is filled with a fluid, here exemplarily with liquid F indicated by points. A filling with gas is also contemplated or covered by the present invention.

[0236] In FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 is illustrated in a state in which the extremely schematically-indicated limb stump KS of the standing patient is inserted into the interior I such that it is surrounded by the adherent stocking 215 or by the membrane 5 at least in its distal section. The membrane 5 contacts together with the adherent stocking 215 the limb stump KS like a second skin.

[0237] The limb stump KS is preferably weighted or pressed with the full body weight of the standing patient. The amount of the liquid F is measured with regard to the known volume of the interior I or the pressure vessel 1 such that the limb stump KS may enter through the insertion opening 9 into the pressure vessel 1 at least so deep or far that the entire area of the adherent stocking 215 contacts the membrane 5; at least as much as it is relevant for generating a data model of the limb stump KS. At the same time, the amount of liquid F is optionally measured such that the distal end of the limb stump KS (at the bottom in FIG. 1) does not touch the bottom of the pressure vessel 1 or does not support itself on the bottom, respectively. In this way it is ensured that the patient rests with the inserted extremity on the pressure of the fluid and that the adherent stocking 215 undergoes or experiences at each point the same pressure by the membrane 5.

[0238] As is shown in the figure, the membrane 5, when no limb stump KS is inserted into the pressure vessel 1, lifts up or floats due to the pressure of the fluid, here of the liquid, and a liquid level is established (not shown in FIG. 1). Hence, the shape of the membrane 5, which is shown in FIG. 1, represents the shape which the membrane 5 takes under pressure when it contacts the inserted limb stump KS and is pulled under elastic stretching by the latter—in the example of FIG. 1—deep into the interior I towards the bottom surface 4a.

[0239] It is further to be seen in FIG. 1 that due to the fact that the wall 3 and the membrane 5 both prevent a fluid communication between the pressure chamber DK and the exterior A or prevent a fluid leakage out of the pressure chamber DK, they, hence, allow that the desired pressure builds up within the pressure chamber DK of the pressure vessel 1. However, they do not permit it to escape out of the latter or to be released.

[0240] As is seen in FIG. 1, the pressure chamber DK is thus formed by the membrane 5 and at least by parts of the wall 3 which, in this example, include also the bottom surface 4a of the end side 4.

[0241] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention unlike those shown in FIG. 1, the pressure chamber DK may consist of or comprise a completely closed membrane, which may lie in the interior I of the pressure vessel 1 like a balloon or a bubble.

[0242] The pressure vessel 1, shown in FIG. 1 or in one of the following figures, as well as the pressure vessel of any other embodiment according to the present invention, may comprise a non-round cross section instead of a round one, preferably an edgy cross section. The cross section may exemplarily be rectangular, polygonal or square. Particularly during the automatic measuring of the limb stump KS, when the limb stump is inserted into the apparatus 100, using a camera or the like as described herein, the last-mentioned cross sections may advantageously prevent or diminish artifacts which may be caused by the concave circumferential surface.

[0243] The adherent stocking 215 comprises optional sensors 225 which are illustrated in a simplified manner in the detail enlargement A as circular points. The sensors 225 are arranged in the adherent stocking 215 purely exemplarily equidistant from each other, but may likewise not be arranged equidistant and/or be arranged in another arrangement, for example on the inner side and/or on the outer side of the adherent stocking 215. For example, the sensors 225 may be arranged closer to each other in the distal end area (in FIG. 1 below) of the limb stump KS in order to achieve a higher resolution in generating a data model. The sensors 225 may be referred to as detectors, transducers, sensing elements or probes.

[0244] The sensors 225 may be active or passive sensors. Active sensors 225 may themselves transmit signals 227 (indicated as wavefront) without having to be activated from the outside. Active sensors may comprise a power supply, for example, they are powered by cables or by power storage elements. Passive sensors 225 may, purely exemplarily, be ferromagnetic iron particles which can be activated (magnetized) by an external magnetic field and subsequently detected.

[0245] The sensors 225 may be position sensors or referred to as such. They may transmit signals 227 which solely or in addition to measuring values indicate the position of the transmitting sensors 225.

[0246] The sensors 225 may be based on different measuring principles, for example as resistive sensors, inductive sensors, magnetic field sensors, magnetoelastic sensors, capacitive sensors, piezoelectric sensors, optoelectronic sensors, electrochemical sensors or temperature sensors. Alternatively and/or additionally, the sensors 225 may be detected as passive particles by mechanical waves (e.g. ultrasound waves) whose signals 227 may be reflected and, using other sensors outside the pressure vessel 1, e.g. piezoelectric transducers, may be converted into electrical signals and further processed.

[0247] By the sensors 225 in the adherent stocking 215, the outer contour of the body stump KS may be determined. Depending on where the sensors 225 are found and where they are arranged in or on the adherent stocking 215, an offset may be determined and included in the further data processing in order to determine the exact outer contour of the limb stump KS. The offset takes into account, for example, the thickness of the adherent stocking 215 and the exact position of the sensors 225 in or on the adherent stocking 215.

[0248] The signals 227 emitted by the sensors 225 may be received by the receiving devices (see FIG. 2) outside the apparatus 100. Likewise, passive sensors of transmitting devices (see FIG. 2) may be activated, e.g. by magnetic fields.

[0249] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary set 500 according to the present invention with the apparatus 100 according to the present invention, a transmitting and/or receiving device 501, as well as a signal processing and/or evaluating device 503 from the side.

[0250] The transmitting and/or receiving device 501 may be designed as a transmitting device 501, as a receiving device 501 or combined as transmitting and receiving device 501. For example, a plurality of transmitting devices 501 for emitting a magnetic field may be arranged on the circumference of the pressure vessel 1. Purely exemplarily, the transmitting device 501, being arranged on the left in FIG. 2, transmits signals 227 in the direction of the adherent stocking 215.

[0251] A plurality of receiving devices 501 may be arranged between the transmitting devices 501, above, below or at another point with respect to the transmitting devices 501 in order to receive signals 227 emitted by the sensors 225, see FIG. 2 on the right. These received signals 227 emitted by the sensors 225 may be transmitted, for example via wire or wireless, to a signal processing device 503 and/or to an evaluating device 503 in order to be processed and/or evaluated. The signal path 505 (e.g. by wire or wireless) is indicated by dashed lines.

[0252] In the signal processing device 503 or the evaluating device 503, the signals 227 which have been captured by the individual sensors 225 may be further processed and evaluated. For example, the singular signals 227, which may be regarded as the so-called vector-based point cloud, may be further processed to form a surface, in particular a 3D surface. For this, known methods (e.g. rendering) are available. A prosthesis shaft may subsequently be produced using these digital data (vector-based point cloud and/or 3D surface), for example using a 3D printer or a milling machine as a production facility.

[0253] FIG. 3 shows the apparatus 100 according to the present invention with a connector 53 at the lower end area of the membrane 5 in an exemplary embodiment.

[0254] The membrane 5 is—preferably in its distal, middle or central section or area—connected to a section 51 of the wall 3 or of the end side 4 in a force-fit manner. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the force-fit connection is effected by the connector 53, which extends from a distal end of the membrane 5 to the section 51, here purely optionally, the bottom surface 4a of the pressure chamber DK.

[0255] The connector 53 may be a thread, as shown in FIG. 3 by way of example. Any other suitable connector, such as a tape or Velcro or the like, is also encompassed by the present invention.

[0256] The connector 53 keeps the membrane 5 connected to the pressure vessel 1 or to the bottom surface 4a, preferably in the area of the second end side 4 of the pressure vessel 1, in particular in the area of the bottom surface 4a and preferably in the midpoint thereof, in a force-fit and/or form-fit and/or material manner.

[0257] It is preferred that the connector 53 at least in the state of use of the apparatus 100, that is, when the limb stump KS is inserted into the pressure chamber DK allows a complete or substantially complete flow around the distal end of the limb stump KS. A flow around the limb stump KS is thus still advantageously possible in FIG. 3, except for the surface which corresponds to the cross section of the connector 53. In this way, a floating or a pressure lift also of the distal section of the limb stump KS caused by the fluid may occur unchanged being very important for imitating or sensing the later load conditions in the finished shaft.

[0258] In addition to the connector 53 shown in FIG. 3, several or further connectors may be provided. These, like the connector 53, may be connected to the bottom surface 4a. They may alternatively or additionally be connected to the pressure chamber DK or to the pressure vessel 1 at another section of the wall 3 than the end side or bottom surface 4a. This also applies to the connector 53 shown in FIG. 3.

[0259] The connection between connector 53 on the one hand and wall 3 or bottom surface 4a on the other hand may be—as the connection, independent thereof, between connector 53 on the one hand and membrane 5 on the other—an adhesive connection, a screw connection, a plug connection, a snap connection a latch connection or the like. It may be releasable or non-releasable.

[0260] The connector shown in FIG. 3 is preferably not elastically stretchable. It is preferably not stretchable.

[0261] FIG. 3a shows exemplarily a connection of the membrane 5 to the upper edge 7 of the wall 3 of an apparatus 100 according to the present invention. Hereby, the membrane 5 is jammed or pressed by a connecting device 8, which may extend annularly around the apparatus 100, from below against the upper edge 7 of the wall 3. For this purpose, the upper edge 7 may comprise a collar 7a, which e.g. protrudes outwardly beyond the remaining or actual wall 3 of the apparatus 100, as shown in each of FIG. 1 to FIG. 3.

[0262] The connecting device 8 may hereby be releasably, in particular adjustably, fixed to the apparatus 100, for example by the screws indicated with “x” in the figure. These may for example extend horizontally and fix the connecting device 8 so firmly to the apparatus 100 such that enough force is generated upwardly in order to tightly connect the membrane 5 with the wall 3 of the apparatus 100, for instance by pressing the membrane 5 from below against the bottom side of the upper edge 7 of the wall 3.

[0263] Advantageously, there are no hard edges/surfaces and/or upwardly protruding screws or other fastening devices along the upper edge 7 of the apparatus caused by said connection of the membrane 5 to the wall 3, thus causing, particularly in the crotch area, pressure points and/or pain or may hurt or cause injury.

[0264] The membrane 5 lies from above on the upper edge 7 of the wall 3. Thus, said membrane 5 acts, in particular when the pressure is increased in the interior I due to inserting the limb stump into the apparatus 100 by which said membrane 5 bulges outwards and above all over or above the upper edge 7, like a cushion on which the patient my rest with parts of his bony pelvis, or at least with which he may come in contact. Therewith, the comfort for user and/or patient may be increased.

[0265] FIG. 4 shows exemplarily an adherent stocking 215 according to the present invention in a perspective side view. In the detail view A, corresponding to the description of FIG. 1, the sensors 225, shown simplified as dots and the exemplarily transmitted signals 227 are visible.

[0266] The adherent stocking 215 comprises, in an optional embodiment, at least in sections, an elastic material.

[0267] Unlike its representation in FIG. 4, the adherent stocking 215 may be an arrangement of sensors 225 as shown in the following figures.

[0268] FIG. 5 exemplarily shows a symmetrical, here also to be donated as star-shaped, arrangement of—here exemplarily elongated—sensors 225 with a view from below.

[0269] FIG. 6 shows the sensor arrangement of FIG. 5, attached to a limb stump with a view from the side. The “rays” of the star-shaped arrangement of the sensors 225 (of FIG. 5) lie, during use, onto the limb stump like octopus arms, pointing from bottom to top (with reference to FIG. 6).

[0270] In this, it is obvious that preferably the same number of sensors 225 is arranged on one or several cross sections of the limb stump, of the adherent stocking or of the sensor arrangement, preferably in a symmetrical, optionally equidistant, arrangement towards the midpoint of the arrangement M. The midpoint of the arrangement M is herein the point towards which the sensors 225 are aligned. The aforementioned cross sections extend in FIG. 6 or also in FIG. 7 (except a slight perspective view in FIG. 7) substantially horizontally, that is to say from left to right or vice versa with respect to these figures.

[0271] An optional arrangement according to the present invention of the sensors 225 on strap-shaped sections which each may comprise a row or chain of sensors 225 and, moreover, may also correspond to the “rays” of the star-shaped arrangement of the sensors, is indicated in FIG. 6.

[0272] A data model of the inserted limb stump may be generated by interpolating the sensor information 227 (not shown in FIG. 6, see however FIG. 2) or by a different way.

[0273] FIG. 7 shows the sensor arrangement of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 in a further embodiment. The sensors 225 are hereby arranged on strap-shaped sections 229. As already indicated in FIG. 5, the sensors 225 are arranged on the vertically extending strap-shaped sections 229 as a row or chain, corresponding to the “rays” of the star-shaped arrangement. The “rays” (which extend more or less vertically in FIG. 7) may be connected to further horizontal strap-shaped sections 231 (e.g. two, or three, as shown in FIG. 7, or more). Unlike it is shown in FIG. 7, the horizontal strap-shaped sections 231 may also comprise sensors. The arrangement of these optional sensors on the herein horizontally extending strap-shaped sections 231, may also be in row or chain, however this is not a must.

[0274] The further strap-shaped sections 231 may lie over or below the vertically extending strap-shaped sections 229.

[0275] FIG. 8a shows a sensor arrangement according to the present invention, placed on a medical apparatus according to the present invention 100 in top view of the latter with view to its interior.

[0276] The medical apparatus 100 has optionally a sensor arrangement with sensors 225, which are arranged on the vertically extending strap-shaped sections 229, as in the example of FIG. 7. The sensor arrangement rests on the upper edge 7 of the wall 3 of the medical apparatus 100. In this, the sensor arrangement spans over the insertion opening 9. The view in FIG. 8a is to the interior of the pressure vessel 1 and thus through the strap-shaped sections 229 on the membrane 5. Fastening devices, by which the membrane 5 is fastened to the wall 3, are not shown for reasons of clarity.

[0277] It can be seen in FIG. 8a that a retaining device 233 is placed outside to the wall 3, which is connected to a plurality or all of the strap-shaped sections 229 and holds them under tension by retention. The retention may be effected by weight of the retaining device 233. Alternatively or additionally, the retention may be effected by mechanisms such as spring sections, elastic elements or the like.

[0278] FIG. 8a thus shows the sensor arrangement on the apparatus 100 before a limb stump KS is inserted into the insertion opening 9.

[0279] FIG. 8b shows the medical apparatus 100 of FIG. 8a from the side, likewise before inserting a limb stump KS into the insertion opening 9.

[0280] As can be seen in FIG. 8b, sections of the strap-shaped sections 229 lie not only across the insertion opening 229, as shown in FIG. 8a, rather also outside the wall 3, held there in position by the retaining device 233, which here spans the strap-shaped sections 229 by its weight.

[0281] If the patient now inserts his limb stump KS into the insertion opening 9 and thus pushes the strap-shaped sections 229 into the depth of the interior of the apparatus 100, then the retaining device 233 moves upwards. In this, sections of the strap-shaped sections 229, which in FIG. 8b still lie outside the wall 3, move therewith into the interior of the pressure vessel 1.

[0282] If the patient enters with the limb stump KS into the insertion opening 9 of the pressure vessel 1, then the retaining device 233 lifts. If he pulls his limb stump KS out again, then the retaining device 233 may sink itself again. This is indicated by the double arrow.

[0283] The retaining device 233 thus ensures a uniform alignment of the sensors 225 left and right or front and rear on the limb stump KS.

[0284] FIG. 9 shows a sensor arrangement being alternative to the sensor arrangement of FIG. 7 in a further embodiment. The sensors 225 are hereby again arranged on strap-shaped sections 229 and optionally, as already shown in FIG. 7, on the strap-shaped sections 229 extending, during use, preferably vertically or from bottom to top along the limb stump KS as row or chain corresponding to the rays of the star-shaped arrangement of the sensors 225, which can be seen, for example, when the strap-shaped sections 229 are spread in a plane starting from the midpoint.

[0285] Unlike in FIG. 7, the strap-shaped sections 229 (which extend more or less vertically) are not connected to further, in particular horizontally extending, strap-shaped sections 231 (e.g. two, or three, as shown in FIG. 7, or more), which strap-shaped sections 231 are in FIG. 7 also optional.

[0286] However, the strap-shaped sections 229 merge into a first connecting section 235d or are connected therewith, each at a first end of them (in FIG. 9, below), which abuts the limb stump during use distally.

[0287] In addition, the strap-shaped sections 229 merge in a second connecting section 235p or are connected therewith each at a second end of them (in FIG. 9 above), which proximally abuts the limb stump or lies proximally to the first end during use.

[0288] Between adjacent strap-shaped sections 229 there is respectively a space R. The latter is preferably free, i.e. the front view of the sensor arrangement of FIG. 9 would allow a view through the sensor arrangement also on the strap-shaped sections 229 arranged on the rear-side. However, for the sake of clarity, these rear strap-shaped sections are not illustrated.

[0289] The space R increases in width from distal to proximal. It becomes therefore preferably wider to the top (with reference to its use state or to FIG. 9).

[0290] In this, adjacent spaces R have the same design. Adjacent spaces R may however also be provided in different sizes or widths.

[0291] It is of particular advantage when the design or size of all spaces R is known and stored in a software of the signal processing device.

[0292] The first connecting section 235d and the second connecting section 235p jointly define or determine the respective space R. For this purpose, the first connection section 235d and the second connecting section 235p are not elastic. Thus, the predetermined distance between the adjacent strap-shaped sections 229 remains preferably advantageously unchanged, and the positions of sensors 225, which lie on adjacent strap-shaped sections 229 remain likewise unchanged in this respect. The latter may play an essential role in the evaluation, using the signal processing device 503, of the signals emitted by the sensors 225 and received by the receiving device 503.

[0293] In FIG. 9, the first connecting section 235d is shown as a material-fit transition of adjacent strap-shaped sections 229. In other embodiments, the first connecting section 235d is itself designed as a separate component, e.g. as a strap structure or cap, which is connected to the adjacent strap-shaped sections 229 in a form-fit and/or force-fit connection.

[0294] FIGS. 10a and 10b show the sensor arrangement according to the present invention in again a further embodiment.

[0295] In this, the strap-shaped sections 229, which carry sensors 225 are in one or several, e.g. end-sided and/or middle, sections, herein referred to as connecting points 237, connected to at least one other strap-shaped section 229 likewise carrying one or several sensors 225, for instance at least to an adjacent strap-shaped section 229.

[0296] In between such connection points 237, the strap-shaped sections 229 connected therewith, are, however, preferably spaced from adjacent strap-shaped sections 229, indicated by the space R in FIGS. 10a and 10b.

[0297] In the example of FIGS. 10a and 10b, the connecting points 237 are hinged connections between strap-shaped sections 229. In this, the strap-shaped section 229 may be connected to one, two or more further strap-shaped sections 229.

[0298] In the example of FIGS. 10a and 10b, some or all of the strap-shaped sections 229 comprise, each, one or several sensors 225. These may at the same time also represent the connecting points 237 or vice versa. This is not shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b.

[0299] The comparison of FIG. 10a to FIG. 10b shows the scissor-like or diamond-like adjustability of the arrangement of strap-shaped sections 229 by the connecting points 237.

[0300] The concentration of the sensors 225 in longitudinal direction of the limb stump, which is not shown in FIG. 10a or 10b, but would extend during use of the sensor arrangement in up-down direction, may thereby be larger or smaller.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0301] 100 apparatus [0302] 1 pressure vessel [0303] 2 first end side [0304] 3 wall [0305] 4 second end side, may optionally be closed or sealed by the bottom surface or plane [0306] 4a bottom surface or plane [0307] 5 membrane [0308] 7 upper edge [0309] 7a collar [0310] 8 connecting device [0311] 9 insertion opening [0312] 53 connector [0313] 215 adherent stocking [0314] 225 sensors (of the adherent stocking or of the sensor arrangement) [0315] 227 signals/sensor information [0316] 229 strap-shaped section [0317] 231 further strap-shaped section [0318] 233 retaining device [0319] 235d first, distal connecting section [0320] 235p second, proximal connecting section [0321] 237 connecting point [0322] 500 set with apparatus and transmitting device and/or receiving device [0323] 501 transmitting device and/or receiving device [0324] 503 signal processing device and/or signal evaluating device [0325] 505 signal path [0326] DK pressure chamber of the pressure vessel [0327] I pressure vessel interior [0328] F fluid or liquid [0329] A pressure vessel exterior [0330] KS limb stump [0331] M midpoint of the sensor arrangement [0332] R space (or slot or gap)