CN110897764A

CN110897764A - Artificial limb

Info

Publication number: CN110897764A
Application number: CN201910868571.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: N·马卡布格; B·莱基
Original assignee: Mitt Wearable Equipment Co Ltd
Current assignee: Mitt Wearable Equipment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-09-14
Filing date: 2019-09-12
Publication date: 2020-03-24
Also published as: GB2570018B8; GB2570018A8; GB2570018B; GB2570018A; WO2020053597A1; GB201815008D0

Abstract

A prosthesis 10 (e.g., for an arm or leg) comprising: (i) a flexible liner 12 for receiving a residual limb therein, (ii) a tightener 14 on the flexible liner for reducing the circumference of the flexible liner to tighten the liner about the limb, (iii) a rigid mount 16a, 16b secured to the liner and axially spaced from the tightener along the liner, defining a cavity extending axially from the liner to receive a portion of the limb, (iv) an instrument 18 (e.g., a pen, a prosthetic hand, a motorized instrument, etc.), (v) a connector (22, 26) for securing a first portion of the instrument to the mount, and (vi) a fulcrum defined by the rigid mount and the instrument when the instrument is secured to the mount by the connector, the instrument being pivotable about the fulcrum relative to the mount between: (a) a holding state in which the second portion of the instrument abuts the mount and the instrument is fixedly held on the mount; and (b) a spaced state in which the second portion of the instrument is spaced from the mount and can be released from the mount. Magnets (30, 32 in fig. 2) on the instrument or mount bias the second portion of the instrument toward the mount and into a retained state.

Description

Artificial limb

Background

The invention relates to a prosthesis. In particular, the invention relates to a prosthesis comprising: a flexible sleeve extending beyond a user's joint in use; a retractor for reducing the circumference of the sleeve on a first side of the user's joint proximal to the user's body; a rigid mount secured to the bushing on a second side of the user's joint distal to the user's body; an instrument securable to the mount; a connector (including at least one magnet) for holding an instrument on the mount.

Various types of prostheses are known. For example:

US7,611,476 "vacuum sealed orthotic prosthesis and other body worn devices" describes various prostheses including a flexible sleeve extendable over a user's joint, a strap for reducing the circumference of the sleeve on a first side of the user's joint proximal to the user's body, and an artificial body component (i.e. an appliance) secured to the sleeve on a second side of the user's joint.

US514,225 "leg prosthesis" describes a flexible sleeve (for receiving the hip of a user), a waist belt at a first axial end of the sleeve for securing the sleeve around the waist of the user, a thigh stump receiving sleeve (i.e. a mount) at a second axial end of the sleeve, a lower leg (i.e. an instrument) secured to the receiving sleeve.

US3,262,131 "leg prosthesis with removable stump support sock" describes a prosthesis comprising: a rigid mounting for receiving a user's calf stump/stump; a flexible sleeve extending from the mount over a user's knee; the annular elastic border serves to reduce the circumference of the flexible sleeve around the user's thigh; a leg bar extending from the rigid link; screws or rivets for fixing the leg rods to the rigid mount.

A disadvantage of the known devices is that they require dexterity in the use of both hands to remove and replace the prosthetic device. Which makes them unsuitable for users of hand or arm prostheses. The object of the present invention is to solve this drawback and to provide a prosthesis with which the appliance can be easily removed and replaced using only one hand.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a prosthesis comprising: a flexible liner for receiving a residual limb, the liner defining a longitudinal axis; a tightener on the flexible liner for reducing the flexible liner circumference to tighten the liner around the proximal limb in use; a rigid mount secured to the liner and axially spaced along the liner from the tightener, the rigid mount defining a cavity extending axially from the liner for receiving therein, in use, a portion of a residual limb already received within the liner; an instrument; a connector for securing a first portion of the instrument to the mount; a fulcrum defined by the rigid mount and the instrument when the instrument is secured to the mount by a connector, the instrument being pivotable relative to the mount about the fulcrum between: (i) a holding state in which a second portion of the instrument abuts the mount; and (ii) a spaced state in which the second portion of the instrument is spaced from the mount; and a magnet on the instrument or mount for biasing a second portion of the instrument toward the mount to thereby resist relative movement of the instrument and the mount from the holding condition toward the spaced condition, wherein the connector does not allow release of the instrument from the mount when the instrument and the mount are in the holding condition and allows release of the instrument from the mount when the instrument and the mount are in the spaced condition.

Typically, the mounting member defines a first plug and the instrument defines a corresponding first recess sized and shaped to receive the first plug therein.

Typically, the instrument defines a second plug and the mounting member defines a corresponding second recess sized and shaped to receive the second plug therein.

Preferably, the first plug and the second recess are axially spaced apart along the mount.

Typically, the instrument is in a holding state:

relative axial movement of the instrument and the mount;

relative rotation of the instrument and the mount, and movement other than relative rotation toward the spaced-apart condition; and

relative tangential movement of the instrument and the mount,

is prevented by the following abutting contacts: an abutting contact between a first plug defined by the mount and the instrument; and an abutting contact between the second plug and the mount defined by the instrument.

Typically, the mount is made of a first component and a second component, the first and second components of the mount each being secured to the bushing, and wherein: (i) the first plug is defined by the first part of the mount; and (ii) the second recess is defined by the second part of the mount.

Preferably, the first part of the mounting member and the second part of the mounting member extend along the bush along diametrically opposite sides of the bush.

Typically, the second part of the mount extends over at least 90% of the axial length of the cavity defined by the mount, which in use extends from within 5 cm of the free end of the user's limb to close the joint of the user's limb.

Typically, the first part of the mount: an axial end extending axially from the bushing distal to the tightener; a first member of the mounting member extending axially from an axial end of the first member distal to the retractor; and an axial end extending axially from the cavity defined by the mount distal to the retractor.

Preferably, the bushing; and the cavity defined by the mount is open at both axial ends.

Typically, the first plug defined by the first part of the mount is located on the first part of the mount, the first part: axially projecting from the second part of the mount; and projects axially from the cavity defined by the mount.

Typically, the first part of the mount is spaced from the second part of the mount, the bush bridging a gap therebetween.

When the instrument is secured to the mounting, the instrument preferably projects axially beyond the axial end of the mounting remote from the retractor and the axial end of the bushing remote from the retractor.

Typically, at least one vent is defined by the mount.

Typically, the bushing defines at least one vent hole coincident with the at least one vent hole defined by the mount.

It is preferable that:

a first magnet disposed on the first plug defined by the mount;

a second magnet aligned with the first magnet in an opposite polarity configuration within the instrument adjacent the first recess defined by the instrument;

at least one third magnet is adjoined on the instrument in proximity to the second plug defined by the instrument; and

at least one fourth magnet aligned within the mount with the at least one third magnet in an opposite polarity configuration adjacent a second recess defined by the mount.

Typically, the wall thickness of the mount or the instrument in the vicinity of the first, second, third and fourth magnets is less than the wall thickness of the region surrounding the mount and the instrument.

Typically, the wall thickness of the mount or the instrument in the vicinity of the first, second, third and fourth magnets is less than 1 millimeter.

Preferably, the polysiloxane is applied to a radially inner surface of the liner, in use increasing the coefficient of friction of the radially inner surface of the liner.

Drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a first perspective exploded view of a prosthesis according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a second exploded perspective view of the prosthesis of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the prosthesis of FIG. 1 with the appliance in a retaining state;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the prosthesis of FIG. 1 having the appliance in a spaced apart condition;

fig. 5 is a perspective view of the prosthesis of fig. 1 secured to a user.

In this specification: (i) "residual limb" is intended to mean a portion of the limb that is damaged beyond a healthy joint; and (ii) "proximal limb" is intended to mean the part of the limb on the side of the healthy joint opposite the residual limb, close to the body.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1-5, the prosthesis 10 includes a liner 12, a retractor 14, a mounting member 16, and an instrument 18.

The prosthesis 10 is particularly suited for persons with hand or arm disabilities.

The bushing 12 is: tubular defined as longitudinal axis a-a shown in fig. 1 and 2; open at both axial ends; made of a flexible, breathable fabric. The bushing 12 is sized and shaped to: a residual limb of the user extending below the elbow is accommodated via a first axial end 12a (often referred to as the proximal end) of the liner 12; and extends across the elbow of the user to a portion of the user's proximal limb (i.e., the upper arm portion).

A silicone tape (not shown), preferably a platinum cured silicone rubber tape, is applied to the radially inner surface of the liner 12 to increase the coefficient of friction inside the liner 12. Preferably, the silicone strip is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A of the liner 12. In use, the silicone band prevents the liner 12 from sliding along the user's residual limb or proximal limb.

Electrode sensors (not shown and optionally made of conductive wire) may be incorporated (e.g., sewn or braided) into the liner 12. Furthermore, the sleeve 12 may be made of a perspiration-venting material with sufficient cushioning to protect the user from the rigid edges of the mounting 16. The liner 12 should have sufficient structural rigidity to hold itself open into a tubular shape without external force, which facilitates insertion of the user's limb therein without the need to hold the liner 12 open with the other hand. The inner surface of the liner may have different surface materials to provide different coefficients of friction with the skin of the user in different areas. For example, portions of the inner surface of the liner 12 may be smooth so that the liner is free to move over the elbow of the user, while other portions of the inner surface of the liner 12 may be adhesive so as to grip the proximal limb.

The tightener 14 is fixed at or near the first axial end 12a of the bush 12 and is in the form of a strip with Velcro (RTM). In use, the strap 14 is tightened around the proximal limb of the user (i.e. between the elbow and shoulder of the user), around the proximal limb, and secured in this tightened configuration by velcro (RTM). In effect, the tightener 14 reduces the circumference of the flexible sleeve 12, tightening the first axial end 12a of the sleeve 12 around the proximal limb of the user. It will be appreciated that since the elbow joint circumference is typically greater than the humeral circumference, the tightener 14 prevents the first axial end 12a of the bushing 12 from moving past the elbow.

While the retractor 14 has been described in the form of a belt having velcro (RTM), it will be appreciated that the retractor may take any other form. For example, the tightener may include: braided cords (e.g., shoelaces) with strap locks or holes along their length to capture and lock the cord in predetermined increments; a non-retractable wire with a spool (optionally motorized) regulated by a pawl and ratchet mechanism; webbing (e.g., nylon, polypropylene, or cotton) with ladder lock to form loops and varying perimeter lengths; or an elastic undersized U-shaped member that can be deployed to be positioned over the proximal limb of the user.

The mounting member 16 is made of a rigid plastics material and defines a cavity extending axially from the liner 12 for receiving the distal portion of the residual limb therein. The cavity defined by the mount 16 is open at both axial ends.

The mounting member 16 is fixed to the hub 12 but is axially spaced from the tightener 14 along the hub 12.

The mount 16 includes a first component 16a and a second component 16b, each of which is: spaced apart from each other; are movable relative to each other; and is fixed to the liner 12. Typically, the first and

second members

16a, 16b are disposed at diametrically opposite ends of the liner 12 and extend axially along the liner 12. The bushing 12 also bridges the gap between the first and

second parts

16a, 16b of the mounting 16.

The first part 16a of the mounting 16 extends: beyond the second axial end 12b (commonly referred to as the distal end) of the bushing 12: the axial end of the second part 16b distal to the tightener 14 beyond the mounting 16; and beyond the axial end of the cavity defined by the mounting 16 (distal to the retractor 14). However, the second part 16b of the mount 16 extends over at least 90% of the axial length of the cavity defined by the mount 16 and does not extend beyond the second axial end 12b of the bushing 12. In use, the second part 16b of the mounting 16 extends within 5 cm of the free/distal end of the user's limb to proximate the user's elbow.

Optionally, the second part 16b of the mounting member 16 extends axially along the inside of the bush 12 and defines a recess along its length.

Each mounting

portion

16a and 16b defines a vent aperture 20, the vent apertures 20 coinciding with respective vent apertures defined by the liner 12. These ventilation holes assist in the ventilation of the user's residual limb.

The first plug 22 is defined by the first part 16a of the mounting 16. The first plug 22 extends radially beyond the second axial end 12b of the bushing 12.

The second recess 24 is defined by the second part 16b of the mounting 16. The first plug 22 and the second recess 24 are axially spaced along the mounting 16.

In use, the first plug 22 and the second recess 24 extend from the liner 12 or towards the liner 12 along the coronal plane of the user's body.

While the mount 16 has been described as including a first component 16a and a second component 16b, it should be understood that the mount 16 may include a single integrally manufactured component.

The radially inner surface of the mounting 16 may be lined adjacent the cavity defined thereby with a flexible, resilient material which accommodates changes in the size of the user's residual limb and accommodates swelling of the residual limb during wear.

The instrument 18 may include a pen, a prosthetic hand, an otobo kemi clan hero (RTM) hand, or any other instrument useful to a user. The instrument 18 defines: a first recess 26 corresponding to/complementary to the first plug 22 defined by the first part 16a of the mounting 16, i.e. sized and shaped to receive the first plug 22 therein; and a second plug 28 corresponding/complementary to the second recess 24 defined by the second part 16b of the mounting 16, i.e. sized and shaped to be received within the second recess 24. The first recess 26 and the second plug 28 are axially spaced apart along the instrument 18.

Although, the first plug 22 has been described as extending from the mounting member 16, with the corresponding first recess 26 described as being defined by the instrument 18; the second plug 28 has been described as extending from the instrument 18 with the corresponding second recess 24 described as being defined by the mounting 16, it being understood that the recesses and plugs on the mounting and instrument are interchangeable. For example, the first plug may be defined by the instrument and the second plug may be defined by the mount, and the mount may also define the first and second recesses, respectively.

Where the instrument 18 is a motorized instrument, the instrument 18 and mount 16 may include complementary connectors that enable electronic communication between the mount 16 and the instrument 18 when the instrument 18 is coupled to the mount 16. A battery (not shown) may also be received by the mount 16.

The first magnet 30 is disposed on the first plug 22 defined by the first member 16a of the mount 16. The second magnet 32 is disposed on the instrument 18 adjacent a first recess defined by the instrument 18. Four third magnets 34 are disposed on the instrument 18 adjacent the second plug 28 defined by the instrument 18. Also, four fourth magnets 36 are provided on the second part 16b of the mount 16 adjacent the second recess 24 defined by the mount 16.

Preferably, the first and

fourth magnets

30, 36 are located within the mount 16, and the second and third magnets 32, 34 are located within the instrument 18. It is also preferred that the wall thickness of the mount 16 or instrument 18 in the vicinity of the first, second, third or

fourth magnets

30, 32, 34, 36 be less than the wall thickness of the surrounding area of the mount 16 or instrument 18. Typically, the wall thickness of the mount 16 or instrument 18 near the first, second, third or

fourth magnets

30, 32, 34, 36 is less than 1 millimeter, preferably about 0.5 millimeters.

The instrument 18 may be secured to the mount 16 by: receiving the first plug 22 on the mount 16 within a first recess 26 defined by the instrument 18; a second plug 28 on the instrument 18 is received within the second recess 24 defined by the mounting 16. The first plug 22 is received within the corresponding first recess 26, and a second portion of the instrument 18 (i.e., the portion adjacent the first recess 26) is secured to the mounting member 16 by coupling with opposing first and

second magnets

30, 32 that act as a connector.

It will be appreciated that where the first and

second parts

16a, 16b of the mount 16 are provided at diametrically opposite ends of the liner 12, the attachment of the instrument 18 to both the first and

second parts

16a, 16b of the mount 16 results in the first and

second parts

16a, 16b of the mount 16 being "clamped" onto the limb, thereby better transferring forces between the instrument/mount on the one hand and towards the limb on the other.

When the instrument 18 is secured to the mount 16, the instrument 18 projects axially beyond: an axial end of the mounting 16 distal to the tightener 14; and a second axial end 12b of the bushing 12.

When the instrument 18 is secured to the mount 16 by the links (22, 26, 30 and 32), a fulcrum 38 is defined by the mount 16 and the instrument 18, the instrument 18 being pivotable relative to the mount 16 about the fulcrum 38 between:

a retained state (as shown in fig. 3 and 5) in which a first portion of the instrument 18 (i.e., a portion adjacent to the first recess 26 defined by the instrument 18) abuts the mount 16; and

a spaced-apart state (as shown in fig. 4) in which the first portion of the instrument 18 is spaced apart from the mount 16 (in particular, in which the first plug 22 on the mount 16 is no longer received within the first recess defined by the instrument 18).

The opposing first and

second magnets

30, 32 bias the second portion of the instrument 18 toward the mount 16, thereby preventing relative movement of the instrument 18 and mount 16 from the holding state toward the spaced state.

It can be understood that: the third magnet 34 and the fourth magnet 36 may be ferromagnetic bodies other than magnets, the ferromagnetic bodies being attracted by the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 32; or the first and

second magnets

30, 32 may be ferromagnetic rather than magnetic, with the ferromagnetic being attracted by the third and fourth magnets 34, 36.

The connectors (22, 26, 30 and 32) do not allow the instrument 18 to be released from the mount 16 when the instrument 18 and mount 16 are in the retained state.

With the connections (22, 26, 30 and 32) allowing the instrument 18 to be released from the mount 16, the instrument 18 and the mount 16 must pivot relative to each other toward the spaced apart condition.

It will be appreciated that when the connectors (22, 26, 30 and 32) connect the instrument 18 to the mount 16 and the instrument 18 is in the retained condition, abutment occurs between the first plug 22 defined by the mount 16 and the instrument 18 and between the second plug 28 defined by the instrument 18 and the mount 16, preventing:

relative axial movement of the instrument 18 and mount 16 (i.e., movement of the instrument 18 in the direction shown as B-B in FIG. 3);

relative rotation of the instrument 18 and mount 16 (i.e., rotation of the instrument 18 shown by arrows C-C in fig. 3), and movement other than relative rotation toward the spaced-apart condition; and

relative tangential movement of the instrument 18 and mount 16 (i.e., movement of the instrument 18 in the direction shown as D-D in fig. 3).

It will be appreciated that the method for removing the instrument 18 from the mount 16 may be accomplished simply by impacting the instrument 18 to pivot the instrument 18 relative to the mount 16 toward the spaced condition, and then allowing the links (22, 26, 30 and 32) to release the instrument 18 from the mount 16. It will also be appreciated that when the instrument 18 is secured to the mount 16 (the instrument is in the holding state), the instrument 18 is able to resist forces and moments (other than the pivoting moment that causes the instrument 18 to move toward the spaced-apart state) without causing relative movement of the instrument 18 and the mount 16. This arrangement enables a disabled user with limited functionality in one hand to remove and replace the appliance 16.

Claims

1. A prosthesis, comprising: a flexible liner for receiving a residual limb therein, the liner defining a longitudinal axis; a tightener on the flexible liner for reducing the circumference of the flexible liner so as to tighten the liner in use about a residual limb contained therein; a rigid mount secured to the liner and axially spaced from the tightener along the liner, the rigid mount defining a cavity extending axially from the liner for receiving therein, in use, a residual limb already received within the liner; an instrument; a connector for securing a first portion of the instrument to the mount; a fulcrum defined by the rigid mount and the instrument when the instrument is secured to the mount by the connector, the instrument being pivotable relative to the mount about the fulcrum between: (i) a holding state in which a second portion of the instrument abuts the mount; and (ii) a spaced state in which the second portion of the instrument is spaced from the mount; and a magnet on the instrument or the mount for biasing the second portion of the instrument toward the mount to thereby resist relative movement of the instrument and the mount from the holding condition toward the spaced condition, wherein the connector does not allow release of the instrument from the mount when the instrument and the mount are in the holding condition and allows release of the instrument from the mount when the instrument and the mount are in the spaced condition.

2. A prosthesis according to claim 1 in which the mounting member defines a first plug and the appliance defines a corresponding first recess sized and shaped to receive the first plug therein.

3. A prosthesis according to claim 2 in which the instrument defines a second plug and the mounting member defines a corresponding second recess sized and shaped to receive the second plug therein.

4. A prosthesis according to claim 3 in which the first plug and the second recess are axially spaced apart along the mounting member.

5. A prosthesis according to claim 4 in which the mounting is made of first and second components, the first and second components of the mounting each being secured to the sleeve, and in which: (i) the first plug is defined by the first part of the mount; and (ii) the second recess is defined by the second part of the mount.

6. A prosthesis according to claim 5 in which the first part of the mounting member and the second part of the mounting member extend along the sleeve along diametrically opposite sides of the sleeve.

7. A prosthesis according to claim 6 in which the second part of the mounting member extends over at least 90% of the axial length of the cavity defined by the mounting member to extend, in use, from within 5 cm of the free end of the user's limb to close to the user's limb joint.

8. A prosthesis according to claim 7 in which the first part of the mounting: an axial end extending axially from the bushing distal to the tightener; an axial end extending axially from the first part of the mount distal to the retractor; and an axial end extending axially from the cavity defined by the mounting member distal to the retractor.

9. A prosthesis according to claim 8 in which the sleeve and the cavity defined by the mounting member are open at both axial ends.

10. A prosthesis according to claim 9 in which the first plug defined by the first part of the mounting member is located on the first part of the mounting member, the first part projecting axially from the second part of the mounting member and axially from the cavity defined by the mounting member.

11. A prosthesis according to claim 10 in which the first part of the mounting member is spaced from the second part of the mounting member, the sleeve bridging a gap between the first and second parts.

12. A prosthesis according to claim 11 in which the instrument projects axially beyond the axial end of the mount distal the retractor and the axial end of the sleeve distal the retractor when the instrument is secured to the mount.

13. A prosthesis according to claim 12 in which (i) at least one vent hole is defined by the mounting member and (ii) the sleeve defines at least one vent hole coincident with the at least one vent hole defined by the mounting member.

14. A prosthesis according to claim 13 in which a first magnet is provided on a first plug defined by the mounting member; a second magnet aligned with the first magnet in an opposite polarity configuration within an instrument adjacent a first recess defined by the instrument; at least one third magnet adjoined on the instrument near a second plug defined by the instrument; and at least one fourth magnet aligned within the mount with the at least one third magnet in an opposite polarity configuration adjacent a second recess defined by the mount.

15. A prosthesis according to claim 14 in which (i) the wall thickness of the mount or the device in the vicinity of the first, second, third and fourth magnets is less than the wall thickness of the region surrounding the mount or the device; and (ii) a wall thickness of the mount or the instrument adjacent the first, second, third and fourth magnets is less than 1 millimeter.

16. A prosthesis according to claim 15 in which silicone is applied to a radially inner surface of the sleeve to increase the coefficient of friction of the radially inner surface of the sleeve in use.