Prosthetic device with a rotatable pyramid and lateral travel limit

Abstract

A prosthetic device having a rotatable pyramid and lateral travel limit is provided. A first member has a first end connectable to a prosthetic component and a second end with a bar having sides and a distal face. The distal face has ribs thereon. A central hole is provided through the first member. A second member has a first end with a pyramid and a second end with a ring that defines a recess with a solid face. A third member has a dome on a first end and a channel on the second end. The pyramid extends through a central hole through the dome. A screw passes through the central hole of the first member wherein it can engage the second member within the recess. The lateral movement of the bar within the channel is bound by the screw contacting the second member.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a first member with a bar and a central hole, said central hole receiving a limiter; a second member having a ring with a diameter; and a third member with a channel and a tapered hole, said bar being laterally movably received within said channel and said second member being received within said tapered hole, said third member being laterally adjustable relative to said first member by a distance that is no greater than said diameter of said ring as said limiter contacts said ring at outer travel limits preventing additional lateral travel of said bar relative to said channel.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first member comprises: a first member first end with a connector; and a first member second end with said bar.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said bar has a plurality of ribs thereon.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein a lock screw passes through said third member contacts one of said plurality of ribs to lock said third member relative to said first member.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said second member comprises: a second member first end with a pyramid; and a second member second end, said ring being at said second member second end.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said third member comprises a dome.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein: said second member has an angled side wall between said pyramid and said ring, said pyramid extending from said dome when said angled side wall engages said tapered hole.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said second member is rotatable within said tapered hole to a rotational position, yet a travel range between said first member and said third member is unchanged regardless of said rotational position.

9. A device comprising: a first member having a bar and a central hole; a second member having a pyramid and a ring, said ring having a ring interior defining a ring diameter, said ring having a recess having a solid face; a third member having a channel; and a limiter insertable through said first member into said recess so that movement of said bar relative to said channel is limited as said limiter is bound by said ring, wherein: said pyramid is rotatable relative to said third member to a rotational position; said bar is adjustably received within said channel in a lateral direction; lateral movement of said bar relative to said channel is limited to a maximum lateral travel wherein said limiter contacts said ring, said maximum lateral travel being unrelated to said rotational position of said pyramid.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said limiter is a limit screw.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein at least one lock screw can pass through said third member to contact said first member to lock said third member in a lateral position relative to said first member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the device of the present invention in relation with adjacent items.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is an opposite perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 5 is an alternative side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 2.

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the third member laterally offset from the first member.

(8) FIG. 8 is a top view of FIG. 7

(9) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

(10) FIG. 10 is an end view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 2.

(11) FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 2.

(12) FIG. 12 is an isolated perspective view of a first member of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 13 is an alternative perspective view of the first member.

(14) FIG. 14 is a side view of the first member.

(15) FIG. 15 is an end view of the first member.

(16) FIG. 16 is an alternative end view of the first member.

(17) FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 in FIG. 16.

(18) FIG. 18 is an isolated perspective view of the second member of the present invention.

(19) FIG. 19 is an alternative perspective view of the second member.

(20) FIG. 20 is a side view of the second member.

(21) FIG. 21 is an end view of the second member.

(22) FIG. 22 is an alternative end view of the second member.

(23) FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 23-23 in FIG. 22.

(24) FIG. 24 is an isolated side view of the third member of the present invention.

(25) FIG. 25 is an end view of the third member.

(26) FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the third member.

(27) FIG. 27 is an alternative end view of the third member.

(28) FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 28-28 in FIG. 27.

(29) FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 29-29 in FIG. 27.

(30) FIG. 30 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 29.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(31) While the invention will be described in connection with one or more preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

(32) Looking first to FIG. 1, it is seen that a possible environment for use of the present invention is illustrated. A person 5 having a limb 6 terminating in a stump 7 is provided. A socket 10 with a socket central axis 11 and an end 12 is further provided. A three prong adapter 30 with a threaded clamp 31 is further provided. The three prong adapter is connectable to the end 12 of the socket 10. A pylon 40 is further provided having a four-hole clamp 45 with holes 46 and a rim 47. It is appreciated that while certain ancillary components are illustrated, that the present invention is not limited for use with those components.

(33) A device 50 of the present invention is useful to overcome offset between the pylon 40 and the socket central axis 11 in the lateral direction 15, medial direction 16, anterior direction 17, posterior direction 18 or some combination thereof.

(34) The device 50 is illustrated in FIGS. 2-30. The device 50 can be made of any suitable material, including but not being limited to metal, steel, titanium alloy, aluminum or other materials. The device 50 has a first member (or piece) 55, a second member (or piece) 105 and a third member (or piece) 155. Each of these components is described below.

(35) The first member 55 is illustrated in isolated views in FIGS. 12-17. The first member 55 has a center (or central portion) 56. A first end 60 is provided having a connector 61. The connector 61 has an exterior surface 62 threaded with threads 63. A second end 65 is also provided. The second end 65 has a bar 70. Bar 70 is formed of two sides 71 and 72 and a distal face 73. The sides 71 and 72 preferably diverge from each other moving away from the center 56. Each side 71 and 72 has an outer edge where the sides meet the distal face 73. These edges are preferably generally parallel to each other. A plurality of ribs (or teeth or protrusions) 74 are oriented across the face 73 between the sides 71 and 72. The ribs 74 are preferably generally parallel to each other. A central hole 80 is provided and passes through the first member 55. The central hole 80 preferably passes through the geometric center of the bar 70 and is aligned generally perpendicular to the distal face 73. The central hole 80 is preferably threaded and can threadably receive screw 210.

(36) Turning now to FIGS. 18-23, it is seen that the second member 105 is illustrated in isolated views. The second member 105 has a first end 110 with a pyramid 111 formed thereon. The second member 105 further has a second end 120 with a sidewall 121. Sidewall 121 preferably has a generally circular shaped profile. Sidewall 121 has a cone-shaped (angled) portion and a constant diameter portion. A ring 122 extends from the end of sidewall 121. The ring has a generally circular shaped interior perimeter. The ring 122 defines a recess 123 with a solid interior face 124. That is, face 124 preferably has no holes there through. Further, face 124 is preferably flat.

(37) Turning now to FIGS. 24-30, it is seen that the third member 155 of the device 50 is illustrated in isolated views. The third member 155 has two opposed ends 170 and 175, respectively. A dome 180 having a central hole 181 and a sidewall 182 is provided on the first end 170. The central hole has an angled portion and a constant diameter portion. The sidewall 182 terminates at a platform 190. The platform 190 has a generally circular shaped profile. Two angled holes 191 and 192 are formed through the platform. The holes 191 and 192 are preferably located about 180 degrees from each other. A sidewall 200 is at the second end 175 of the third member 155. A channel 205 is formed into the second end 175 and is open through the sidewall 200 on both sides of the third member. The channel is shaped for mating engagement with the bar 70 of the first member 55. In this regard, the channel 205 has sidewalls that respectively are angled towards each other as they span towards the end 175 of the member 155. The channel 205 further has a base face. The two screw holes 191 and 192 both pass into the channel 205 and are located at opposite sides of the channel. Screws 195 can be received through holes 191 and 192.

(38) Looking now at FIGS. 2-11, the assembly and use of device 50 is explained including positioning and orientation of the three members 55, 105 and 155.

(39) The second member 105 is received within the third member 155. Specifically, the first end 110 is received within the central hole 181 of the third member by being inserted from end 175 wherein the pyramid 111 extends beyond the dome 180. The angled portion of sidewall 121 mates with the angled portion of hole 181 to prevent the second member 105 from passing completely through the central hole 181. The second member 105 is rotatable about an axis relative to the third member 155 so that the rotational orientation of the pyramid can be adjusted. The second piece is frictionally held in tight engagement with the third piece when adjacent prosthetic components are connected to the pyramid and press against the dome.

(40) The bar 70 of the first member is laterally and adjustably received within the channel 205 of the third member 155. The second member 105 cannot be removed from the third member 155 when the first member 55 is slid into the third member 155. Screw 210 can be inserted into the central hole 80 of the first member wherein it can be placed against or adjacent to the face 124 of the recess 123 of the second member 105. In this regard, the screw 210 distal end is within the perimeter of the ring 122. Screw 210 can accordingly be called a lock screw. The lateral travel of the first member 55 relative to the third member 155 is limited by the distance that the ring 122 can travel before it contacts the screw 210. It is appreciated that the amount of the first member 55 relative to the third member 155 is unchanged by the rotational orientation of the second member 105 relative to the third member 155.

(41) The first member 55 can be removed from the third member 155 when the screw 210 is unthreaded a sufficient amount wherein the distal end of the screw would not engage the ring 122 when the pieces are laterally moved relative to each other and the screw would not be capable of engaging the ring. The pyramid is removable from the third member when the first member and third member are disengaged.

(42) Screw 210 can, but does not need to, engage the bottom surface 124 of the second end 120 of the second member 105. In embodiments where the screw contacts the solid face 124, the force of the screw reinforces the pressing of the sidewall 121 against the side wall 182 of the central hole 181 of the dome 180 of the third member 155.

(43) It is appreciated that while a screw 210 is illustrated, that a pin or other type of limiter could be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention.

(44) Screws 195 can be inserted into holes 191 and 192 wherein they enter channel 205 to contact ribs 74 of the bar 70. Holes 191 and 192 are preferably angled inwards. Engagement between the screws and ribs creates a stable connection between the two members to lock the lateral offset position on the device in place (specifically the lateral position of the first member relative to the third member). Accordingly, screws 195 can be called lock screws.

(45) Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, prosthetic device having a rotatable pyramid and lateral travel limit that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages as set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.