PROSTHESIS SOCKET SYSTEM

Abstract

A prosthesis socket system with a rigid outer socket which has a proximal outer socket opening for receiving an extremity stump of a wearer of the prosthesis socket system, and a flexible inner socket, which is connected to the outer socket and has a proximal inner socket opening for receiving the extremity stump, wherein at least one sealing lip is arranged on an inner side of the inner socket facing the extremity stump.

Claims

1. A prosthesis socket system comprising: a rigid outer socket, which has a proximal outer socket opening for receiving an extremity stump of a wearer of the prosthesis socket system; a flexible inner socket, which is connected to the outer socket and has a proximal inner socket opening for receiving the extremity stump; at least one sealing lip arranged on an inner face of the inner socket directed toward the extremity stump.

2. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing lip is configured as a peripheral sealing lip, which is arranged along a complete inner circumference of the inner face of the inner socket.

3. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one window formed in the outer socket.

4. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sealing lip is arranged at least partially in a region of the inner socket that is covered by the window.

5. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the outer socket is configured as a lower-leg socket, and the at least one window is arranged in at least one of a frontal shin region or in a region of at least one of a head of a fibula and in a distal calf region.

6. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 3, wherein an adjustable insert, which is fastened to the outer socket, is arranged in the at least one windows.

7. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing lip is arranged closer to the proximal inner socket opening than to a distal end of the inner socket.

8. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing lip is arranged in one plane.

9. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing lip is arranged at least partially parallel to a contour of an inner socket edge surrounding the inner socket opening or to a contour of an outer socket edge surrounding the outer socket opening.

10. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the sealing lip is cohesively bonded to the inner socket or formed integrally thereon, and the sealing lip and the inner socket are made of the same material.

11. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prosthesis socket system has at least one of a release valve and a suction attachment for regulating a negative pressure between the extremity stump and the inner socket.

12. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner socket and the outer socket are connected to each other releasably and in a manner free of pistoning by a screw connection with locking nuts integrated in the inner socket.

13. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner socket is elastic at least in some regions or is made of an elastic material at least in some regions.

14. A prosthesis socket system comprising: a rigid outer socket having a first inner cavity and a proximal outer socket opening; a flexible inner socket positioned in the inner cavity and connected to the outer socket, the inner socket comprising: a second inner cavity to receive a user's residual limb; a proximal inner socket opening; an inner face directed toward the residual limb when the residual limb is positioned in the second inner cavity; at least one sealing lip arranged on the inner face.

15. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sealing lip is configured as a peripheral sealing lip, which is arranged along a complete inner circumference of the inner face.

16. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 14, further comprising at least one window formed in a sidewall of the outer socket.

17. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the sealing lip is arranged at least partially in a region of the inner socket that overlaps the at least one window.

18. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the outer socket is configured as a lower-leg socket, and the at least one window is arranged in one or more of a frontal shin region, a region of a head of a fibula, and a distal calf region.

19. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in one of claim 16, further comprising an adjustable insert fastened to the outer socket and arranged in the at least one window.

20. The prosthesis socket system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sealing lip is arranged closer to the proximal inner socket opening than to a distal end of the inner socket.

Description

[0027] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a frontal view of an illustrative embodiment of a prosthesis socket system according to the invention,

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a lateral view of an illustrative embodiment of a prosthesis socket system according to the invention,

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a frontal cross-sectional view of an inner socket of an illustrative embodiment of the prosthesis socket system according to the invention,

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a medial cross-sectional view of an inner socket of an illustrative embodiment of the prosthesis socket system according to the invention,

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a frontal view of a thigh socket,

[0033] FIG. 6 shows an approximated lateral-medial view of a thigh socket according to FIG. 5,

[0034] FIG. 7 shows a partial sectional view of a prosthesis socket system,

[0035] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a variant of an inner socket, and

[0036] FIG. 9 shows a sectional view according to FIG. 8.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a prosthesis socket system according to the invention in a frontal view. The prosthesis socket system in question here is a prosthesis socket system for a right lower leg of a patient who has undergone transtibial amputation. The prosthesis socket system has a rigid outer socket 10 and a flexible inner socket 20. The flexible inner socket 20 is arranged in the rigid outer socket 10, wherein the inner socket 20 protrudes from the outer socket 10 in the proximal direction. In the direction of a proximal outer socket opening 14, the outer socket 10 has an outer socket edge 12. In the direction of a proximal inner socket opening 24, the inner socket 20 has an inner socket edge 22. The outer socket opening 14 and the inner socket opening 24 serve to receive the right lower-leg stump of the patient.

[0038] Two windows 16.1 and 16.2 are formed in the outer socket 10 and are filled by the inner socket 20. An outer face of the inner socket 20 is to this extent visible in the windows 16.1 and 16.2. The frontal window 16.1 is designed in shape, arrangement and size to relieve the patient's tibia. The lateral window 16.2 is designed in shape, arrangement and size to relieve the head of the fibula of the patient. The shape, arrangement and size of the windows can be individually adapted to the anatomy for example of the particular prosthesis wearer or of an average person or to different body sizes or sexes. The outer socket 10 is connected to the inner socket 20 by means of screws 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 and 18.4. The screws 18.1 and 18.2 lie on a medial side of the prosthesis socket system, and the screws 18.3 and 18.4 lie on a lateral side of the prosthesis socket system. The number and arrangement of the screws 18.1 to 18.4 are shown here purely by way of example. It is also possible to provide more or fewer screws and/or to choose other positions. In particular, for connecting the outer socket 10 to the inner socket 20, a connection technique other than screwing can be chosen, for example a releasable form-fit connection via clips, hook-and-loop fasteners, interlocking regions, or other reversible connection systems.

[0039] An outer socket recess 19 for receiving a release valve is arranged medially in the outer socket 10. Alternatively or in addition, a suction attachment can be arranged in the outer socket recess 19, or at least one further outer socket recess 19 can be formed in the outer socket 10, in order to insert a second release valve or to attach a pump.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a lateral view of the prosthesis socket system from FIG. 1. The lateral window 16.2 for relieving the head of the fibula can be seen particularly clearly here. The dorsal arrangement of the window 16.3 for relieving the distal calf region can also be seen. The lateral screws 18.3 and 18.4, which connect the outer socket 10 and the inner socket 20 to each other on this side of the prosthesis socket system, can be clearly seen. A further window 16.1 is present on the ventral or frontal face of the outer socket 10 and relieves a region of the tibia. The inner socket 20 also fills all of the windows 16.1, 16.2 and 16.3 here, such that the outer face of the inner socket 20 is visible in each of the windows 16.1, 16.2 and 16.3. The contours of the outer socket 10 and of the inner socket 20 are similar to each other; in particular, the proximal edges 12, 22 have a similar profile and are arranged dorsally and ventrally at different heights, while the medial and lateral regions are curved and formed proximally with respect to the ventral and dorsal portions. Increased lateral stability is thus achieved, at the same time with a high degree of mobility of the intact joint.

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a frontal cross-sectional view of an inner socket 20 according to an illustrative embodiment of the prosthesis socket system according to the invention. A peripheral sealing lip 26 formed integrally on the inner socket 20 can be seen here. The sealing lip 26 is arranged in a plane running substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal extent of the inner socket 20 in the proximal-distal direction. In this illustrative embodiment, the flexible inner socket 20 has a material thickness of 3 mm to 4 mm in the medial-lateral direction. The peripheral sealing lip 26 has a material thickness of 0.8 mm in the proximal-distal direction. The peripheral sealing lip 26 is arranged closer to the proximal inner socket opening 24 than to a distal end portion of the inner socket 20. A medial locking nut 28.1 is arranged on the medial face of the inner socket 20. Two lateral locking nuts 28.2 and 28.3 are arranged on the lateral face of the inner socket 20. The number and the arrangement of the locking nuts 28.1, 28.2, 28.3 shown here have been chosen purely by way of example. The locking nuts 28.1, 28.2 and 28.3 serve for screwing to the outer socket 10 (not shown here) of the prosthesis socket system. An inner socket recess 29 is formed in a distal-medial portion of the inner socket 20. The inner socket recess 29 serves to receive, for example, a release valve 30 (not shown here). Alternatively, however, a suction attachment or another means of generating a negative pressure in the inner socket 20 can also be arranged.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a medial cross-sectional view of an inner socket 20 according to another illustrative embodiment of the prosthesis socket system according to the invention. The contour of the inner socket edge 22 runs along a three-dimensional curve from a lower, ventral dorsal portion to an upper, dorsal ventral portion, and, between these, it has a peak in a lateral and/or medial portion. The sealing lip 26 runs substantially completely at a uniform distance from the contour of the inner socket edge 22. In contrast to FIG. 3, the sealing lip 26 is not arranged in one plane but instead runs with the contour of the inner socket edge 22 along a three-dimensional curve. Alternatively, provision is made that the sealing lip 26 runs parallel or approximately parallel to the contour of the inner socket edge 22 or to a contour of the outer socket edge 12 (not shown here) of the outer socket 10 only in parts and, in the remaining regions, has a profile that takes account of the sealing requirements or the comfort needed by the patient.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a frontal view of a prosthesis socket system in the form of a thigh socket, with an outer socket 10 and with an inner socket 20 arranged in the latter.

[0044] The screws 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4 are arranged medially and laterally on the outer socket 10 and fasten the elastic inner socket 20 reversibly to the outer socket 10. A frontal window 16.1, in which an insert 40 is arranged, can be formed or arranged in the outer socket 10, which can be formed as a dimensionally stable component, for example made of a plastic or of a fiber-reinforced composite material. The contour of the insert 40 corresponds substantially to the contour of the window 16.1 but leaves a free space between the outer contour of the insert 40 and the inner contour of the window 16.1. The insert 40 is fastened to the outer socket 10 so as to be adjustable in the window 16.1. The fastening is effected by a clamping element 42, which can be designed as a cable, belt or strap system. The effective length of the clamping element 42 can be increased or shortened via a winding system or a clamping device 31, such that, in the case of a curved contour of the outer socket 10, a radially inwardly directed movement of the insert 40 takes place with shortening of the clamping element 42. If the clamping device 30 is released and the clamping element 42 relaxed, the insert 40 can be moved inside the window 16.1, in particular radially outward, in order to permit an increase in volume inside the inner socket 20 and the outer socket 10. The clamping element 42 is guided in channels 44 inside the outer socket 10 and the insert 40. As an alternative to the clamping element 42 being guided wholly in closed channels 44, the channels can also be partially open, in particular open toward the outside, and can be covered with a filling material or a padding.

[0045] An outer socket recess 19, in which the release valve 30 is arranged, is arranged inside the outer socket 10. The clamping device 31, which serves as a winding device for the clamping element 42, is fastened to the outer socket 10 underneath the release valve 30. The clamping device 31 can be rotated in two directions, in order, on the one hand, to wind up the clamping element 42 and, on the other hand, in an opposite direction of rotation, to lengthen the clamping element 42, so that the insert 40 can be loosened. Moreover, the clamping device 31 can be completely decoupled.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows a lateral view of the prosthesis socket system with the outer socket 10, and with the inner socket 20 secured reversibly in the latter for the purpose of receiving a thigh stump. In addition to the frontal recess or the frontal window 16.1 and the insert 40 arranged therein, a lateral medial recess 16.2 is formed in the outer socket 10, in which a second insert 40 is mounted. Here too, the outer contour of the second insert 40 is designed corresponding to the inner contour of the second window 16.2, wherein a gap is present between the insert 40 and the edge of the window 16.2. The clamping element 42 is guided in the channels 44 in the insert 40 and the outer socket 10. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the clamping element 42 runs peripherally from the opposite medial lateral side (not shown) over the frontal side to the lateral medial side of the prosthesis socket system, and its two free ends are brought together at the clamping device 31. By rotation in one or the other direction, as indicated by the arrows, the clamping element 42 can be shortened or lengthened by the clamping device 31.

[0047] On the rear dorsal side of the outer socket 10, an elastic flexible region 11 is formed which is softer and more flexible and resilient than the rest of the material of the outer socket 10. This makes sitting easier, for example. Additional screws 18.5, 18.6 are arranged in the rear region of the outer socket 10 and connect the inner socket 20 to the outer socket 10.

[0048] An attachment device or connector 50, for fastening the prosthesis socket system to a prosthetic knee joint (not shown), is arranged or formed at the distal end of the outer socket 10. The attachment device 50 is designed in particular as an adapter receptacle for a pyramid adapter.

[0049] FIG. 7 shows a partial sectional view of the prosthesis socket system with a dimensionally stable, substantially rigid outer socket 10 which is formed at least in some regions on the periphery. The flexible, in particular elastic inner socket 20 is arranged inside the outer socket 10. The inner socket edge 22, which extends radially outward over the outer socket edge 12 in order to cushion the outer socket 10 in the proximal end region, is formed at the proximal end. In the outer socket 10, a window 16.1 is formed in which an insert 40 is arranged. Inside the insert 40, channels 44 are arranged in which the clamping element 42 is guided displaceably. The clamping element 42 is designed for example as a strap, cord, belt or cable; alternative tensioning elements can likewise be used as clamping element 42. On the inner face of the insert 40, i.e. on the face directed toward the inner socket 20, a padding 46 is arranged which protrudes into the interior of the outer socket 10. A continuation of the outer wall of the outer socket 10 would have a substantially rectilinear profile and would bridge the opening 16.1. The padding 46 protrudes radially inward into the interior of the outer socket 10 and, as is shown in FIG. 7, presses the inner socket 20 radially inward in the direction of the thigh stump (not shown). If the clamping element 42 is wound up by the clamping device 31 and its effective length shortened, the clamping element 42 becomes taut between the channel openings in the outer socket 10 and tends to form a straight line. In this way, the insert 40 is moved inward, such that the volume of the inner socket 20 is reduced. In this way, the inner socket 20 is pressed onto the stump (not shown). This can be done, for example, to permit adaptation to a fluctuation in volume of the stump, to a change in the requirements of comfort or to an altered level of activity. For example, if a faster walking speed is sought, the centrifugal forces increase, such that tautness of the clamping element 42 and pressing of the insert 40 with the padding 46 in the direction of the thigh stump are felt to give additional securing.

[0050] Protruding radially inward from the inner socket 20 is the sealing lip 26 which, in the illustrative embodiment shown, extends substantially horizontally. In principle, other radially inward profiles of the sealing lip 26 inside the inner socket 20 are also possible. For example, the sealing lip 26 can follow the contour of the outer socket edge 12. It is likewise possible that the sealing lip 26 runs transversely across a window 16.1 and not, as in the illustrative embodiment shown, above the window 16.1. The sealing lip 26 can be arranged all around a window 16.1. The padding 46 can be elastic, and it can likewise be designed as an inflatable cushion of variable volume. The inner contour, that is to say the contour directed toward the inner socket 20, can have a pelotte shape. A shape of the padding 46 adapted to the contour of the body is alternatively provided.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a further variant of the inner socket 20, which is configured with a closed wall and has a proximal edge 22 that is higher at the lateral side in order to permit secure support on the patient over a large surface area. Inside the cavity formed by the inner socket 20, a peripheral seal 26 is integrally formed which protrudes radially inward and, in the fitted state, rests around the stump (not shown). The sealing lip 26 can be designed with a cross section or material thickness that decreases radially from the outside inward, in order to permit particularly flexible support across the whole surface of the patient's stump.

[0052] Distally from the sealing lip 26, which is arranged in one plane in the illustrative embodiment shown, knobs 25 or depressions are formed on the inner surface, in order to enlarge the inner surface of the inner socket. Particularly by providing knobs 25 on the inner surface, it is possible to obtain an enlarged support surface and therefore an improved adherence to the stump.

[0053] FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the inner socket 20. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the peripheral sealing lip 26 is formed as a separate, annular sealing lip 26 which is inserted into and secured in a prefabricated groove inside the inner socket 20, for example by adhesive bonding, casting or welding. As an alternative to this, it is possible for the sealing lip 26 to be configured in one piece with the rest of the inner socket 20. Similarly, the knobs 25 can be configured in one piece with the inner socket 20 or can be arranged and fastened on the inner face subsequently, for example by adhesive bonding, casting or welding.

[0054] If surface enlargement is to be effected by incorporating depressions in the wall of the inner socket 20, these depressions can be provided during the primary forming process or also at a later stage. In an embodiment with projections on the inner face, these knobs 25 can be arranged so as to extend in peripheral rows substantially parallel to the sealing lip 26. The rows of projections or knobs 25 can be arranged spaced uniformly apart from each other in the proximal-distal direction. It is likewise possible to arrange rows oriented in the proximal-distal direction and alongside one another in the circumferential direction. In addition to the projections being configured solely as knobs, they can also be configured as furrows, grooves or protruding ribs. It is likewise possible for the inwardly protruding projections to be configured differently, for example as ring-shaped, belt-like projections in conjunction with knobs. The material of the projections or knobs 25 can be identical to the material of the rest of the inner socket 20 and can in particular be softer, in order achieve good wearing comfort.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0055] 10 outer socket [0056] 11 elastic flexible region [0057] 12 outer socket edge [0058] 14 outer socket opening [0059] 16.1 . . . 16.3 windows [0060] 18.1 . . . 18.4 screws [0061] 19 outer socket recess [0062] 20 inner socket [0063] 22 inner socket edge [0064] 24 inner socket opening [0065] 25 knobs [0066] 26 sealing lip [0067] 28.1 . . . 28.3 locking nuts [0068] 29 inner socket recess [0069] 30 release valve [0070] 31 clamping device [0071] 40 insert [0072] 42 clamping element [0073] 44 channel [0074] 46 padding [0075] 50 attachment device