WO2024074208A1

WO2024074208A1 - Articulated connection device for an exoprosthesis

Info

Publication number: WO2024074208A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/077770
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johann Martin BAUBÖCK
Original assignee: Bauboeck Johann Martin
Priority date: 2022-10-06
Filing date: 2022-10-06
Publication date: 2024-04-11

Abstract

The invention relates to an articulated connection device (1) for an exoprosthesis (6), wherein the connection device (1) comprises a connecting pin (10) having, at its distal pin end (12), a detent portion (13) provided with detent notches (14) and, at its proximal pin end (15) that is opposite in the longitudinal axis direction (11), a ball head (16), and wherein the connection device (1) also comprises a connection part (20), wherein the connection part (20) has, at its distal end (22), a joint socket (23) for receiving the ball head (16) of the connecting pin (10) in an articulated manner and, at its proximal end (25) that is opposite in the longitudinal axis direction (21), a threaded portion (26) having an external screw thread (27), wherein, in the assembled position of the connection device (1), the ball head (16) of the connecting pin (10) is mounted in the joint socket (23) of the connection part (20), and the connecting pin (10) is pivotably (30) connected to the connection part (20) in an articulated manner (3, 4). The invention also relates to a prosthesis system (100) which comprises an articulated connection device (1), a liner sleeve (5) for application to an arm stump or leg stump (2) of a prosthesis wearer, and a prosthesis shaft (60) of an exoprosthesis (6).

Description

ARTICULATED CONNECTION DEVICE FOR AN EXOPROSTHESIS

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to an articulated connection device for an exoprosthesis, for example for a thigh, lower leg or arm prosthesis, comprising a pin. Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, a prosthesis system is specified comprising an articulated connection device, a liner cuff for application to an arm or leg stump of a prosthesis wearer, and a prosthesis shaft.

STATE OF THE ART

Numerous different designs are already known from the state of the art to provide connections between a liner cuff for attachment to an arm or leg stump of the prosthesis wearer and a correspondingly adapted prosthesis shaft for exoprostheses, i.e. for artificial limb prostheses that are worn outside the body of a prosthesis wearer, such as thigh, lower leg or arm prostheses. The term "prosthesis wearer" used here and below includes people of both sexes equally.

Liner cuffs are usually made of an elastic fabric material with a silicone coating and are orthopedically adjusted so that they are rolled up tightly and precisely onto the corresponding arm or leg stump of the prosthesis wearer. At the front, distal end of such a liner cuff, a fastening plate with a distally protruding threaded connection with an internal thread is usually incorporated. This threaded connection is used to attach a so-called pin pin, which is screwed with an external thread section on its proximal pin end into the threaded connection of the fastening plate of the liner cuff, which has a corresponding internal thread. The pin pin serves as a connecting element between the liner Cuff and the prosthesis shaft , which can be attached to the pin pin at a distal pin section which is opposite the proximal pin end .

The corresponding prosthetic shaft, which is usually made of a rigid plastic or plastic composite material, is dimensioned and orthopedically shaped in such a way that the interior of the prosthetic shaft, which is referred to as the prosthetic socket, accommodates the corresponding arm or leg stump of the prosthetic wearer. A locking device is usually provided at the distal end of the prosthetic shaft, which engages the pin and, when the locking device is actuated accordingly, serves to remove the prosthesis, i.e. the prosthetic shaft together with other prosthetic components connected to it, by the prosthetic wearer.

Different designs of such pins are known. For example, prosthesis systems are available that include a rigid pin that can optionally have a smooth, grooved or worm-threaded distal pin section. An external thread section is provided at the proximal end of the pin for screwing into the fastening plate of the liner cuff.

Closure systems that work with a pin with a smooth distal pin section on the outside without grooves or notches enable continuous locking in the longitudinal direction of the distal pin section, whereby the respective locking position of the closure system in relation to the pin pin can change silently under pressure. Closure systems that work with a pin pin that is partially grooved on the outside or equipped with a worm thread make an audible clicking noise when locking in the individually selected locking point of the pin pin, which signals to the prosthesis wearer that the prosthesis is firmly connected to the liner cuff.

Such locking systems are also available under the trade names "Shuttle Lock" and "Clutch Lock". The corresponding pin pins with external grooves, notches or threaded sections are therefore also referred to as "Shuttle Pin", "Clutch Pin" or "Locking Pin". The disadvantage of all of the above-mentioned connection variants is that the pins, which are usually made of hardened metal, are rigid. The use of such rigid pins to connect the liner cuff and the prosthesis shaft is experienced by many prosthesis wearers as unpleasant and, in particular, painful when wearing the prosthesis for a long time, since the rigid connection between the prosthesis and the liner cuff created by such rigid pins does not allow any freedom of movement and, in particular, small inaccuracies when applying the liner cuff inevitably lead to pressure points on the arm or leg stump of the prosthesis wearer.

For example, the publications WO 03/041619 A1 and US 2003/0195636 A1 disclose closure systems for such prostheses which comprise a flexibly bendable pin pin. Such flexibly bendable pin pins are said to have the advantage of compensating for inaccuracies in the fit when putting on the prosthesis and preventing possible pressure points on the arm or leg stump of the prosthesis wearer when wearing the prosthesis. In fact, however, when wearing such prosthesis systems which use a flexibly bendable pin pin as a connecting element between the liner cuff and the prosthesis shaft, it has been shown that, on the one hand, inaccuracies when putting on or taking off the prosthesis can occur. Putting the liner cuff over the arm or leg stump cannot be fully compensated for by using a flexible, bendable pin, which is why painful pressure points can continue to occur on the arm or leg stump when the prosthesis is worn, or the liner cuff has to be removed again and put back over the arm or leg stump of the prosthesis wearer in an improved, precisely adjusted position, which is time-consuming. On the other hand, the overall feel of the prosthesis suffers when using a flexible, bendable pin, which is why the prosthesis wearer cannot move and control the corresponding exoprosthesis as precisely as is the case when using a rigid pin as a connecting element. Furthermore, freedom of movement when wearing a prosthesis system of this type is still restricted despite using a flexible, bendable pin. An adjustable locking pin unit has already been disclosed in the publication WO 02/060358 A1, in which a pin pin provided with ring-shaped ribs or notches has a flattened head section at its proximal pin end instead of an external thread section. This head section is not screwed to the fastening plate incorporated in the liner sleeve, but is located inside a housing fastened to the fastening plate and presses against the fastening plate. If necessary, a flat, shock-absorbing material, for example made of foam rubber, can be placed between the proximal head section of the pin pin and the fastening plate. The pin pin is pushed with its distal end first through a hole in a circular disk that is convexly curved in the distal direction, the head section of the pin pin being movably mounted in the hole in the circular disk and being larger than the hole so that it cannot be pushed through the hole in the circular disk in the distal direction. The circular disk is comparable to a sliding bearing and is mounted on the inside of a closure cap of the housing so that it can move in several lateral directions. The inside of the housing forms a sliding shell with a concavely curved inner proximal sliding surface, the proximal inner curvature of which is complementary to the distal convex curvature of the curved circular disk. The distal end of the pin protrudes distally through an opening in the closure cap and away from the housing. Using a standard closure system for prostheses, a prosthetic shaft can be attached to the ribs or notches of the pin pin. The opening in the closure cap is, however, large enough that the pin pin located within the slidingly mounted, curved circular disk has sufficient freedom of movement in a lateral direction within the closure cap opening and can be adjusted in its position. The curved circular disk, which slides against the proximal inner side of the closure cap, is slightly larger than the opening in the closure cap.

The disadvantage of this design is at least the complex construction with a housing and a

Plain bearing in the form of a slidingly mounted curved circular disk for the storage of the pin pin so that it can be moved in one or more lateral directions. The pin pin can indeed be articulated within the housing within narrow limits with small deflection angles around the distal longitudinal direction. However, even with this design known from WO 02/060358 A1, the freedom of movement when wearing such a prosthesis system is still restricted due to the flattened head section at the proximal end of the pin, which is pressed against the fastening plate when loaded. Furthermore, due to the completely sliding or floating storage of the pin pin in the lateral direction, there is no defined storage point for the pin pin. The pin pin can slide laterally along the fastening plate without guidance with the flattened head section arranged at its proximal end of the pin, and is also stored in the distal area within the opening in the closure cap so that it can slide laterally by means of the laterally displaceable, curved circular disk. Thus, particularly during a pressure load phase when wearing the prosthesis, it can happen that the pin disadvantageously remains in a laterally inclined position within the housing and the pressure load of the prosthesis shaft is transferred eccentrically from the pin to the proximally adjacent fastening plate, thus transferring pressure loads eccentrically to the arm or leg stump of the prosthesis wearer, which should, however, be avoided from an orthopedic point of view.

TASK OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to propose an articulated connection device which enables increased freedom of movement when used with a generic prosthesis system and with which pressure points on the arm or leg stump of the prosthesis wearer are prevented as far as possible when wearing an exoprosthesis.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a prosthetic system comprising such an articulated connection device, a liner Cuff for application to an arm or leg stump of the prosthesis wearer, as well as a prosthesis shaft are specified.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This object is achieved according to the invention with an articulated connecting device for an exoprosthesis, wherein the connecting device comprises a pin pin, which pin pin has a locking section provided with locking notches at its distal pin end and a ball head at its proximal pin end opposite the distal pin end in the longitudinal axis direction, and wherein the connecting device further comprises a connecting part, wherein the connecting part has a joint socket at its distal end for the articulatedly movable reception of the ball head of the pin pin and a threaded section with an external thread at its proximal end opposite the distal end in the longitudinal axis direction, wherein in the assembled position of the connecting device the ball head of the pin pin is mounted in the joint socket of the connecting part and the pin pin is connected to the connecting part in an articulated pivotable manner.

The connecting device according to the invention advantageously allows for increased freedom of movement in the assembled position when used with a prosthesis system according to the invention. In addition, when wearing an exoprosthesis or a prosthesis system that is equipped with a connecting device according to the invention, pressure points on the arm or leg stump of the prosthesis wearer can be prevented as far as possible.

The positional information used here and below for parts or components of the connecting device according to the invention or of the prosthesis system, such as the terms "top", "bottom", "above", "below", "front", "back", "side", "inside", "outside", "in the axial direction", "in the radial direction" and the like, essentially serve to better understand the invention, in particular in conjunction with the following drawings. The anatomical position and direction designations used here, such as the terms "distal", "proximal" and "lateral", also serve to make the invention easier to understand. The term "distal" here indicates the longitudinal direction of the limbs in question that points away from the center of the person's body or in a distant direction for the limbs of a prosthesis wearer that are prosthetically fitted with an exoprosthesis, for example for a thigh, lower leg or arm prosthesis. Conversely, the "proximal" direction is the longitudinal direction of the limbs in question that is oriented towards the center of the prosthesis wearer's body. The term "lateral" refers to lateral directions of the limbs in question, which are therefore oriented transversely to the prosthetically fitted thigh, lower leg or arm of the prosthesis wearer. These anatomical position and direction designations are relative to the body of the prosthesis wearer and are therefore independent of his or her respective position, for example whether the prosthesis wearer is standing upright, sitting, moving or sleeping. The position information used may possibly refer to certain components in the assembled position of the connecting device according to the invention, the use of such a connecting device in the installed position in a prosthesis system, or to individual views in the figures. In any case, such position information is familiar to the person skilled in the art, but does not limit the present invention.

It can be particularly advantageous if, in the assembled position of the connecting device according to the invention, the longitudinal axis direction of the pin can be pivoted by a deflection angle of at least 10°, preferably of at least 15°, particularly preferably of at least 20°, in relation to the longitudinal axis direction of the connecting part.

The longitudinal axis direction of the connection part corresponds to the distal direction of the corresponding extremity of the prosthesis wearer to which the prosthesis system is attached. In other words, the deflection angle of the pin can be at least 10°, preferably at least 15°, particularly preferably at least 20°, i.e. also equivalently in relation to the distal direction of the extremity of the prosthesis wearer. In our own preliminary tests, prototypes of a connecting device according to the invention have already been tested, which enable a deflection angle of the pin of around 12° to 16° in relation to the longitudinal axis of the connecting part. Even these prototypes of the connecting device according to the invention enable a significantly improved, increased freedom of movement when used with a prosthetic system according to the invention compared to conventional, rigid pins. In addition, when wearing the prosthetic system equipped with a prototype of a connecting device according to the invention, it can be seen that pressure points on the arm or leg stump of the prosthetic wearer are prevented even when the corresponding exoprostheses are worn for longer periods and both the wearing comfort and the functionality of the prosthetic system are improved compared to previous prosthetic systems thanks to the connecting device according to the invention.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of an articulated connecting device according to the invention, a deflection angle of the longitudinal direction of the pin in relation to the longitudinal axis direction of the connecting part of at least 20 ° can be achieved, whereby the freedom of movement during use with such a prosthesis system according to the invention can be further improved and, as a result, the wearing comfort for the prosthesis wearer can be further increased. The deflection angle of the pin in relation to the longitudinal axis direction of the connecting part can be optimized, for example, by appropriately tapering the transition region of the pin in the distal direction between the ball head and the locking section at the opposite, distal end of the pin. This tapered region is also referred to as the ball neck. The smaller the cross-section of this tapered region of the ball neck, the larger the deflection angle and the greater the freedom of movement of the pin, which is mounted in the joint socket of the connecting part.

This optimization task is also associated with the appropriate material selection for the manufacture of an articulated connection device according to the invention. Preferably, at least the mechanically highly stressed components of the The articulated connecting device, such as the pin, can be made of hardened, high-strength metals or metal alloys. It is also conceivable to produce at least individual components of the connecting device according to the invention from composite materials, for example as metal matrix composites, ceramic matrix composites, and/or polymer matrix composites.

In a further development of the invention, a connecting device can further comprise at least one securing means, wherein in the assembled position of the connecting device the ball head of the pin pin is mounted captively with the at least one securing means in the joint socket of the connecting part.

Depending on the design variant of the joint connection, one or more securing means can be used, for example in the form of a locking pin, locking split pin or a locking ring, which can each be inserted, placed or pushed into complementarily shaped corresponding through holes and/or groove recesses in the area of the joint socket and/or in the area of the connecting part in order to store the ball head of the pin pin captively within the joint socket of the connecting part when the connecting device is in the assembled position.

It can also be advantageous if the one or more securing means can be released again from their inserted, inserted or pushed-in securing position in order to be able to disassemble the connecting device according to the invention into its individual parts again if necessary. This can be particularly useful in cases where the connecting device is to be adapted to the requirements of the prosthesis wearer, as well as in the case of repairs to the connecting device.

In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the articulated connection of the pin pin to the connecting part in the connecting device can be designed as a universal joint, wherein the ball head of the pin pin has at least one through hole arranged in the lateral direction and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis direction for at least partially accommodates at least one securing means , wherein in the assembled position of the connecting device at least one securing means is positioned partially in the at least one through hole and partially in a radial hole of the connecting part such that the ball head is securely mounted in the joint socket .

The mounting of the ball head of the pin in the joint socket of the connecting part as a universal joint advantageously enables a high degree of mobility of the assembled connecting device, whereby rotation of the pin about its longitudinal axis within the joint socket of the connecting part is prevented due to the at least one securing means, preferably a securing bolt, which is inserted through a through hole in the area of the housing of the joint socket of the connecting part and a corresponding complementary through hole through the ball head of the pin. In a similar way to a universal joint, rotations or torques of the connecting part can thus be transmitted to the pin coupled to it.

It can be particularly expedient if, in such a connecting device according to the invention, the ball head of the pin has a first through-hole in a first lateral direction and a second elongated hole through-hole in a second lateral direction, the second lateral direction being oriented orthogonally to the first lateral direction, and the first through-hole serving to accommodate a first securing means, preferably a securing bolt with a transverse bore, and the second elongated hole through-hole being provided for partially accommodating a second securing means, preferably a securing pin, wherein in the assembled position of the connecting device the second securing means, preferably the securing pin, within the second elongated hole through-hole secures the first securing means, preferably the securing bolt, in its position within the first through-hole, the securing pin preferably engaging in the transverse bore of the securing bolt. In this design, the first securing means and the second securing means secure each other in the assembled position of the connecting device. To release the assembled connecting device, the second securing means must first be removed from its installed position in order to release the first securing means. Only after the first securing means has also been removed from its installed position can the ball head of the pin be removed from its position in the joint socket of the connecting part and thus the joint connection of the connecting device be released.

In a further development of the invention, in the assembled position of the connecting device, a further, third securing means, preferably a cap sleeve, can close the radial bore of the connecting part on the outside, wherein the securing means located in the radial bore of the connecting part is stored in a captive manner.

In this design, the first securing means, the second and a further, third securing means secure each other in the assembled position of the connecting device. The security against loss of the ball head of the pin in the assembled position of the connecting device within the joint socket of the connecting part is thereby further increased. In the case of a union sleeve as the third securing means, the union sleeve expediently has an inner diameter that is complementary to the shaft diameter or outer diameter of that section of the connecting part in which the radial bore for receiving the second securing means is located.

In a preferred alternative second embodiment of the connecting device according to the invention, the articulated connection of the pin with the connecting part can be designed as a ball joint, wherein the joint socket of the connecting part has an internal groove running transversely to the longitudinal axis direction for receiving at least one securing means, and wherein in the assembled position of the connecting device at least one first securing means, preferably a securing ring, is arranged in the The inner groove of the joint socket is positioned so that the ball head is securely housed in the joint socket.

Advantageously, with such a design of the articulated connection as a ball joint, the pin can rotate about its longitudinal axis within the joint socket of the connecting part. However, with this articulated connection, no torque can be transmitted to the pin in the longitudinal axis direction of the connecting part.

Particularly advantageously, in such a connecting device according to the invention, the ball head can be free of bores and the pin can be mounted in the joint socket of the connecting part so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

In the case of the ball joint design, the pin can be manufactured with a ball head that is free of holes, more easily and more cost-effectively than in the case of the previously mentioned universal joint design.

It may be expedient if, in such a connecting device according to the invention, in the assembled position of the connecting device, a further, second securing means, preferably a locking pin or locking split pin, is positioned at least in sections in a radial bore of the connecting part, wherein the second securing means secures the first securing means in its position within the inner groove of the joint socket.

As already explained above for the design variant with a universal joint, the security against loss of the ball head mounted within the joint socket is further increased in the design variant with a ball joint by using two securing devices which secure each other in the assembled position of the connecting device.

The tasks mentioned above are also carried out by a

Prosthesis system according to the invention solved, wherein the

Prosthetic system an articulated connection device according to the Invention comprises, as well as a liner cuff for application to an arm or leg stump of a prosthesis wearer, wherein the liner cuff has a distal connection plate with a threaded connection, and further comprises a prosthesis shaft of an exoprosthesis with a through opening for receiving the locking section of the pin pin and with a closure device fastened to the prosthesis shaft in the region of the through opening.

The above-mentioned advantages and advantageous effects of the articulated connection device according to the invention also apply equally to the prosthesis system according to the invention.

A prosthesis system according to the invention can offer particularly high wearing comfort and increased freedom of movement, in which, in the fastened arrangement of the prosthesis system, the liner cuff is tightly fastened to an arm or leg stump of the prosthesis wearer, wherein in the connecting device in the assembled position the ball head of the pin pin is mounted in the joint socket of the connecting part and the pin pin is pivotably connected to the connecting part, and wherein the threaded section of the connecting part is connected to the threaded connection of the liner cuff, and the prosthesis shaft is fastened by means of the locking device to the locking section of the pin pin inserted into the through-opening.

It can be particularly useful if, in a prosthesis system according to the invention, the threaded connection of the liner cuff has an internal thread which corresponds to the external thread of the threaded section of the connecting part, wherein, in the fixed arrangement of the prosthesis system, the threaded section of the connecting part is screwed to the threaded connection of the liner cuff. In this embodiment, the connecting part of the connecting device can advantageously be detachably fastened to the liner cuff in a force-fitting and form-fitting manner.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the closure device in the prosthesis system can comprise a, preferably spring-mounted, locking holder, which locking holder in the fixed arrangement of the prosthesis system can be positively and/or engages force-fittingly in a locking notch of the locking section of the pin pin, which is located within the through-opening of the prosthesis shaft when the prosthesis system is in the fixed position.

The locking device is expediently designed in such a way that when the prosthesis shaft is put on, the locking holder automatically engages, preferably by means of spring force, in a corresponding locking notch in the locking section of the pin pin and the prosthesis shaft is thus articulated to the liner sleeve by means of the connecting device arranged in between. In order to release the connection and to be able to remove the exoprosthesis, a locking button or a corresponding actuating button is preferably provided in the area of the locking device, which when actuated acts on the locking holder or is coupled in terms of movement to the locking holder and releases the pin pin within the through opening of the prosthesis shaft.

A prosthesis system according to the invention can be particularly user-friendly and safe to use if, in the fixed arrangement of the prosthesis system in the assembled position of the connecting device, the ball head of the pin is captively mounted in the joint socket of the connecting part with at least one securing means.

A prosthesis system according to the invention enables a particularly high degree of freedom of movement, in which, in a fixed arrangement of the prosthesis system in the assembled position of the connecting device, the longitudinal axis direction of the pin can be pivoted by a deflection angle of at least 10 °, preferably of at least 15 °, particularly preferably of at least 20 °, in relation to the longitudinal axis direction of the connecting part.

In this regard, reference is also made to the previously mentioned advantages and advantageous effects of correspondingly large deflection angles of the longitudinal axis direction of the pin in relation to the longitudinal axis direction of the connecting part. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. The schematic drawings are examples and are intended to illustrate the inventive concept but are in no way intended to restrict it or even represent it exhaustively.

Showing:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a prosthesis system with an articulated connection device according to the invention in a partial sectional view in an isometric exploded position;

Fig. 2 shows an articulated connection device according to the invention in a first embodiment with a universal joint in an isometric exploded position;

Fig. 3 shows the connecting device shown in Fig. 2 in an isometric view in assembled position including possible deflection of the pin;

Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of the connection part of the connecting device shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 in an isometric view from below;

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view of the connecting part shown in Fig. 4 from the side;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view from a first side of the pin shown in Figures 1 to 3;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view from a second side of the pin shown in Figures 1 to 3;

Fig. 8 shows a second embodiment of a prosthesis system with an articulated connection device according to the invention in a partial sectional view in an isometric exploded position;

Fig. 9 shows an articulated connection device according to the invention in a second embodiment with a ball joint in an isometric exploded position;

Fig. 10 shows the connecting device shown in Fig. 9 in an isometric view in assembled position including possible deflection of the pin; Fig. 11 shows a detailed view of the connection part of the connecting device shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 in an isometric view from below;

Fig. 12 is a partial sectional view of the connecting part shown in Fig. 11 from the side;

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pin shown in Figures 8 to 10.

WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a prosthesis system 100 with an articulated connection device 1 according to the invention.

The spatial coordinate system in Fig. 1 shows the distal direction D in the downward direction of the arrow D, which points away from the body center of a prosthesis wearer. The proximal direction P points upwards, which points or is oriented towards the body center of the prosthesis wearer. The direction of the arrow LI indicates a first lateral direction LI, which points laterally away from the body of the prosthesis wearer. The direction of the arrow L2 indicates a second lateral direction L2, which also points laterally away from the body of the prosthesis wearer. The second lateral direction L2 is oriented orthogonal to the first lateral direction LI, with both lateral directions LI, L2 being oriented orthogonal to the distal direction D and the proximal direction P.

The connecting device 1 shown in Fig. 1 and in Figures 2 and 3 comprises a pin pin 10 with a longitudinal axis direction 11 of the pin pin 10, with a distal pin end 12, a locking section 13 with several locking notches 14, with a proximal pin end 15, and with a ball head 16 which has a diameter 17. The ball head 16 has a first through-hole 18 in a first lateral direction LI for receiving a first securing means 31 and a second elongated through-hole 19 in a second lateral direction L2 for receiving a second securing means 32. The pin pin 10 therefore has a locking section 13 provided with locking notches 14 on its distal pin end 12 and a ball head 16 on its proximal pin end 15 opposite the distal pin end 12 in the longitudinal axis direction 11. The ball head 16 merges into the cylindrical shaft of the pin pin 10, forming a waisted neck section. In the view shown here, several locking notches 14 are each arranged in a ring shape in the area of the locking section 13, which takes up approximately half the length in the longitudinal axis direction 11 of the cylindrical shaft of the pin pin 10. Alternatively, pin pins 10 can also be used within the scope of the invention, the locking section 13 extending, for example, along the entire shaft of the pin pin 10 to the waisted neck section of the ball head 16.

The first through-hole 18 is oriented orthogonally to the second elongated through-hole 19. Both through-holes 18 and 19 cross each other and, viewed in the longitudinal axis direction 11 of the pin 10, are at the same level at the same position in relation to the proximal direction P.

The connecting device 1 further comprises a connecting part 20, wherein the connecting part 20, viewed in the longitudinal axis direction 21, has at its distal end 22 a joint socket 23 with an inner diameter 24 for articulatedly receiving the ball head 16 of the pin pin 10. At its proximal end 25, which is opposite the distal end 22 in the longitudinal axis direction 21, there is a threaded section 26 with an external thread 27. In the assembled position of the connecting device 1, the ball head 16 of the pin pin 10 is mounted in the joint socket 23 of the connecting part 20 and the pin pin 10 is pivotably connected to the connecting part 20 in an articulated manner.

Fig. 1 and the other figures 2 to 7 each relate to the design of the articulated connection device as a universal joint 3.

The assembled position of the connecting device 1, as shown in Fig. 3 based on the exploded views of Figures 1 and 2, is the ball head 16 of the pin 10 together with a first securing means 31 and a second Securing means 32 stored in a captive manner within the joint socket 23 of the connecting part 20 .

The first securing means 31 here is a securing bolt 35 with a transverse bore 36, which is inserted into the first through-bore 18 within the ball head 16. Orthogonal to this, in the assembled position in the second elongated through-bore 19, is the second securing means 32 in the form of a securing pin 37 with an outer diameter that corresponds to the inner diameter of the transverse bore 36 in the securing bolt 35.

The second securing means 32 in the form of the securing pin 37 is comparatively longer in its longitudinal axis direction than the securing bolt 35. The securing bolt 35 is designed in such a way that it does not protrude beyond the contour of the ball head 16 in its longitudinal axis direction or, in other words, is shorter than the diameter 17 of the ball head 16. In contrast, the securing pin 37 is longer than the diameter 17 of the ball head 16, and is so long that the securing pin 37, in the inserted position, engages with its edge sections in radial bores 28 on opposite sections in the area of the joint socket 23 of the connecting part 20 and otherwise runs within the elongated through-bore 19 and through the transverse bore 36 of the securing bolt 35.

The two radial bores 28 for the locking pin 37 in the area of the cylindrical shaft of the connecting part 20 each have a bore diameter 29 which corresponds to the outer diameter of the locking pin 37 and essentially to the diameter of the transverse bore 36 of the locking bolt 35. The diameter of the elongated hole of the elongated hole through-bore 19 is selected to be larger than the outer diameter of the locking pin 37 in the proximal direction P and in the distal opposite direction D in order to allow the universal joint 3, which is comparable to a cardan joint, appropriate play for the deflection of the pin pin in relation to the longitudinal axis direction of the connecting part. Returning to Fig. 1, the prosthesis system is used to attach to an arm or leg stump 2 of a prosthesis wearer and comprises, in addition to the connecting device 1, a liner cuff 5 which is worn in a manner known per se so as to fit snugly on the arm or leg stump 2 of the prosthesis wearer. The liner cuff 5 has a distal connection plate 50 with a threaded connection 51 with an internal thread 52.

The prosthesis system 100 also includes an exoprosthesis 6 with a prosthesis shaft 60, which is shaped on its inside as a prosthesis socket 61 for receiving the arm or leg stump 2 of the prosthesis wearer and the liner cuff 5. The prosthesis shaft 60 has a through-opening 62 for receiving the locking section 13 of the pin pin 10. In the area of the through-opening 62 of the prosthesis shaft 60, at the distal end 63 of the prosthesis shaft 60, there is a closure device 70 attached to the prosthesis shaft 60.

The closure device 70 comprises a locking pin 71, which is oriented here transversely to the longitudinal direction 64 of the through-opening 62 and is coupled to a locking holder 72. The locking holder 72 shown here is spring-mounted by means of a spring element 73 and serves to securely fix the prosthesis system 100 in a fixed arrangement in which the pin pin 10 is inserted with its distal pin end 12 in the distal direction D into the through-opening 62 of the prosthesis shaft 60.

The locking device 70 is expediently designed such that when the prosthesis shaft 60 is put on, the locking holder 72 automatically engages by means of spring force 72 in a corresponding locking notch 14 of the locking section 13 of the pin pin 10 and the prosthesis shaft 62 is thus connected in an articulated manner to the liner sleeve 5 by means of the connecting device 1 arranged between them. In order to release the connection and to be able to remove the exoprosthesis 6, a locking button 75 or a corresponding actuating button is preferably provided in the area of the locking device, which acts on the locking holder 72 when actuated in the direction of arrow 74 or is movable with the locking holder 72 by means of the locking pin 71. is coupled. During the actuation 74 of the locking button 75 or the push button, the locking connection of the locking holder 74 with the locking section 13 on the pin 10 is released and the pin 10 is released within the through opening 62 of the prosthesis shaft 60.

In Fig. 2, in addition to the first securing means 31 and the second securing means 32, which are also shown in Fig. 1, a further third securing means 33 is shown in the form of a cap sleeve 38. The cap sleeve 38 has an inner diameter 39 which corresponds to the outer diameter of the shaft of the connecting part 20 and can be plugged onto the connecting part 20 in the distal direction D in order to secure the first 31 and the second 32 securing means within the ball head 16 of the pin 10 or within the connecting part 20.

Fig. 3 shows the connecting device 1 shown in Fig. 2 in an isometric view in the assembled position including possible deflections of the pin pin 10. A dashed contour line 10' indicates a first position 10' of the pin pin 10 deflected by a deflection angle 30, wherein a longitudinal axis direction 11' of the deflected pin pin 10' is sketched. A dashed contour line 10'' indicates a second position 10'' of the pin pin 10 deflected by a deflection angle 30, wherein a longitudinal axis direction 11'' of this deflected pin pin 10'' is again sketched. The longitudinal axis direction 11,11' or 11'' of the pin 10,10' or 10'' can be pivoted here by a deflection angle 30 of at least 20° in relation to the longitudinal axis direction 21 of the connecting part 20.

Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of the connecting part 20 of the connecting device 1 shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 in an isometric view from below. In this view, the recess of the joint socket 23 at the distal end 22 of the connecting part 20 can be clearly seen, wherein the inner diameter 24 of the joint socket 23 corresponds to the outer diameter 17 of the ball head 16 of the pin pin 10. Fig. 5 shows a partial sectional view of the connecting part 20 shown in Fig. 4 from the side.

Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal sectional view from a first lateral side LI of the pin pin 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3. In this view, the two holes arranged crosswise and orthogonally to one another in the area of the ball head 16 of the pin pin 10 can be clearly seen. The through hole 18 for receiving the locking bolt 35 can be seen from the front, the elongated through hole 19 for receiving the locking pin 37, which has a smaller outer diameter than the locking bolt 35, can be seen here in the cross section.

Fig. 7 shows a longitudinal sectional view from a second lateral side L2 of the pin 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3. The view from the lateral side L2 according to Fig. 7 is rotated by a rotation angle of 90° in relation to the longitudinal axis direction 11 of the pin 10 compared to the view from the lateral side LI shown in Fig. 6. Or in other words, the second lateral direction L2 of the longitudinal sectional view according to Fig. 7 is oriented orthogonal to the first lateral direction LI of the longitudinal sectional view according to Fig. 6, wherein both lateral directions LI, L2 are each oriented orthogonal to the longitudinal axis direction 11 of the pin 10.

In Fig. 7, the through-hole 18 for receiving the locking bolt 35 can be seen in cross section in the transverse direction, while the elongated hole through-hole 19 for receiving the locking pin 37, which has a smaller outer diameter compared to the locking bolt 35, can be seen from the front. The dimension of the elongated hole through-hole 19 in the longitudinal axis direction 11 corresponds to the bore diameter of the through-hole 18.

The following figures 8 to 13 each relate to a second embodiment of an articulated connecting device 1 according to the invention, wherein instead of a universal joint 3 in this embodiment a ball joint 4 without through holes in the ball head 16 of the pin 10 is shown. Unless explicitly mentioned below are differences between the first embodiment of the articulated connection device 1 with universal joint 3 and the following description of the second embodiment of the articulated connection device 1 with ball joint 4, the previous description also applies analogously to the following description of the second embodiment of an articulated connection device 1 according to the invention. Components that are structurally identical or have the same function are each provided with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 8 shows the second embodiment of a prosthesis system 100 with an articulated connection device 1 according to the invention with a ball joint 4 in a partial sectional view in an isometric exploded position.

Fig. 9 shows the articulated connection device 1 according to the invention in the second embodiment with a ball joint 4 in an isometric exploded position.

Fig. 10 shows the connecting device 1 shown in Fig. 9 in the assembled position including possible deflection of the pin 10.

Fig. 11 shows a detailed view of the connection part 20 of the connecting device 1 shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 in an isometric view from below.

Fig. 12 shows the connecting part 20 shown in Fig. 11 in a partial sectional view from the side.

Fig. 13 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the pin 10 shown in Figures 8 to 10.

The exploded view according to Fig. 8 differs from the view in Fig. 1 essentially only in the design of the joint connection of the connecting device 1 as a ball joint 4 and in the locking means 31, 32, which differ from Fig. 1, for the captive mounting of the ball head 16 of the pin 10 within the joint socket 23 of the connecting part 20.

The first securing means 31 is an open locking ring 41 which, comparable to a snap ring, serves to positively fix the ball head 16 axially within the joint socket 23. serves. The locking ring 41 or snap ring itself consists here, for example, of permanently elastic spring steel wire with a constant cross-section, which is bent into a ring. A circumferential groove 42 within the wall of the joint socket 23 serves to partially accommodate the locking ring 42 after the ball head 16 of the pin has been inserted into the joint socket.

A locking pin 43 or locking split pin, which can be inserted into radial bores 28 on the outside of the connecting part 20, serves as a further, second securing means 32, which in the fastened position holds the first securing means 32 securely in its installed position, in order to prevent the locking ring 41 from becoming accidentally loose or lost during use of the prosthesis system 100.

In contrast to the first embodiment according to Figures 1 to 7, in the second embodiment the ball head 16 of the pin 10 has no holes. This can also be seen in Figure 13, for example.

The two securing means 31, 32 do not engage in the pin 10 when the connecting device 1 is in the assembled position. The pin 10 can therefore rotate about its longitudinal axis direction 11 in the assembled position within the joint socket 23 of the connecting part 20 when mounted as a ball joint 4. In Fig. 10, the direction of rotation 44 of the mounted pin 10 in relation to the longitudinal axis direction 11 is sketched with a double arrow 44.

Furthermore, with regard to Fig. 10, reference is made to the otherwise identical description of Fig. 3. A dashed contour line 10' in Fig. 10 indicates a first position 10' of the pin 10 deflected by a deflection angle 30, wherein a longitudinal axis direction 11' of the deflected pin 10' is sketched. A dashed contour line 10" indicates a second position 10" of the pin 10 deflected by a deflection angle 30, wherein a longitudinal axis direction 11" of this deflected pin 10" is sketched. The longitudinal axis direction 11 , 11 ' or 11 '' of the pin 10 , 10 ' or 10 '' can be pivoted here by a deflection angle 30 of at least 20 ° in relation to the longitudinal axis direction 21 of the connecting part 20 .

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 Articulated connecting device

2 Arm or leg stump of the prosthesis wearer

3 universal joint

4 Ball joint

5 Liner cuff

6 Exoprosthesis

10 pin pin

10 first position of the pin deflected by deflection angle

10 second position of the pin deflected by deflection angle

11 Longitudinal axis direction of the pin

11 Longitudinal axis direction of the pin in the first deflected position

11 Longitudinal axis direction of the pin in second deflected position

12 distal pin end

13 Rest section

14 locking notch

15 proximal pin end

16 Ball head

17 Diameter of the ball head

18 Through hole for locking bolt

19 Long hole through hole for locking pin

20 Connection part

21 Longitudinal axis direction of the connecting part

22 distal end of the connector

23 Articular cavity

24 Inner diameter of the joint socket

25 proximal end of the connector

26 Thread cut

27 external thread

28 radial hole for locking pin

29 Bore diameter

30 deflection angle LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS (continued)

31 first securing means

32 second securing device

33 third security measure

35 locking bolts

36 Cross hole of the locking bolt

37 Locking pin

38 cap sleeve

39 Inner diameter of the coupling sleeve

41 Retaining ring

42 Groove for receiving the locking ring

43 locking pin, locking split pin

44 Direction of rotation (double arrow) of the mounted pin

50 Liner cuff connection plate

51 Threaded connection of the connection plate

52 internal thread

60 Prosthetic stem

61 Prosthetic socket

62 Passage opening of the prosthetic shaft

63 distal end of the prosthetic shaft

64 Longitudinal direction of the passage opening

70 Locking device

71 Locking pin

72 Locking bracket

73 Spring element

74 Actuation direction (arrow)

75 Lock button

76 Fasteners, Screw

100 Prosthetic system

D distal direction ( arrow ) ; pointing away from the body center

P proximal direction (arrow); pointing towards the body center

LI (first) lateral direction (arrow); away from the body

L2 (second) lateral direction (arrow); away from the body

Claims

CLAIMS Articulated connecting device (1) for an exoprosthesis (6), wherein the connecting device (1) comprises a pin (10), which pin (10) has a locking section (13) provided with locking notches (14) at its distal pin end (12) and a ball head (16) at its proximal pin end (15) opposite the distal pin end (12) in the longitudinal axis direction (11), and wherein the connecting device (1) further comprises a connecting part (20), wherein the connecting part (20) has a joint socket (23) at its distal end (22) for articulatedly receiving the ball head (16) of the pin (10) and a threaded section (26) with an external thread (27) at its proximal end (25) opposite the distal end (22) in the longitudinal axis direction (21), wherein in the assembled position of the connecting device (1) the ball head (16) of the pin (10) is mounted in the joint socket (23) of the connecting part (20) and the pin (10) is pivotably connected (30) to the connecting part (20) in an articulated (3,4) manner. Connecting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the assembled position of the connecting device (1) the longitudinal axis direction (11) of the pin (10) can be pivoted by a deflection angle (30) of at least 10°, preferably of at least 15°, particularly preferably of at least 20°, in relation to the longitudinal axis direction (21) of the connecting part (20). Connecting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least one securing means (31, 32, 33), characterized in that in the assembled position of the connecting device (1) the ball head (16) of the pin (10) is mounted with the at least one securing means (31, 32, 33) in a captive manner in the joint socket (23) of the connecting part (20). Connecting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the articulated connection of the pin (10) to the connecting part (20) is designed as a universal joint (3), wherein the ball head (16) of the pin (10) has at least one through-bore (18, 19) arranged in the lateral direction (L1, L2) and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis direction (11) for at least partially receiving at least one securing means (31, 32, 33), wherein in the assembled position of the connecting device (1) at least one securing means (31, 32, 33) is positioned in sections in the at least one through-bore (18, 19) and in sections in a radial bore (28) of the connecting part (20) such that the ball head (16) is mounted in the joint socket (23) in a captive manner. Connecting device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the ball head (16) of the pin pin (10) has a first through-bore (18) in a first lateral direction (LI) and a second elongated hole through-bore (19) in a second lateral direction (L2), wherein the second lateral direction (L2) is oriented orthogonally to the first lateral direction (LI), and wherein the first through-bore (18) serves to receive a first securing means (31), preferably a securing bolt (35) with a transverse bore (36), and wherein the second elongated hole through-bore (19) is provided for partially receiving a second securing means (32), preferably a securing pin (37), wherein in the assembled position of the connecting device (1), the second securing means (32), preferably the securing pin (37), is within the second elongated hole through-bore (19) the first securing means (31), preferably the securing bolt (35), is secured in its position within the first through-hole (18), wherein the securing pin (37) preferably engages in the transverse hole (36) of the securing bolt (35). Connecting device (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that in the assembled position of the connecting device (1) a further, third securing means (33), preferably a cap sleeve (38), closes the radial bore (28) of the connecting part (20) on the outside, wherein the securing means (31, 32) located in the radial bore (28) of the connecting part (20) is mounted so as to be captive. Connecting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the articulated connection of the pin (10) to the connecting part (20) is designed as a ball joint (4), wherein the joint socket (23) of the connecting part (20) has an internal groove (42) running transversely to the longitudinal axis direction (21) for receiving at least one securing means (31, 32), and wherein, in the assembled position of the connecting device (1), at least one first securing means (31, 32), preferably a securing ring (41), is positioned in the internal groove (42) of the joint socket (23) so that the ball head (16) is mounted so as to be captive in the joint socket (23). Connecting device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the ball head (16) is free of bores and the pin (10) is mounted in the joint socket (23) of the connecting part (20) so as to be rotatable (44) about its longitudinal axis direction (11). Connecting device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that in the assembled position of the connecting device (1) a further, second securing means (32), preferably a securing pin (43) or securing split pin, is positioned at least in sections in a radial bore (28) of the connecting part (20), the second securing means (32) securing the first securing means (31) in its position within the inner groove (42) of the joint socket (23). Prosthesis system (100) comprising an articulated connection device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, a liner cuff (5) for application to an arm or leg stump (2) of a prosthesis wearer, wherein the liner cuff (5) has a distal connection plate (50) with a Threaded connection (51), and further comprising a prosthesis shaft (60) of an exoprosthesis (6) with a through opening (62) for receiving the locking section (13) of the pin pin (10) and with a closure device (70) fastened to the prosthesis shaft (60) in the region of the through opening (62). Prosthesis system (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that in the fastened arrangement of the prosthesis system (100) the liner cuff (5) is fastened tightly to an arm or leg stump (2) of the prosthesis wearer, in the connection device (1) in the assembled position the ball head (16) of the pin pin (10) is mounted in the joint socket (23) of the connection part (20) and the pin pin (10) is connected to the connection part (20) in an articulated (3,4) pivotable (30) manner, wherein the threaded section (26) of the connection part (20) is connected to the threaded connection (51) of the liner cuff (5), and the prosthesis shaft (60) is fastened by means of the closure device (70) to the locking section (13) of the pin pin (10) inserted into the through opening (62). Prosthesis system (100) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the threaded connection (51) of the liner cuff (5) has an internal thread (52) which corresponds to the external thread (27) of the threaded section (26) of the connecting part (20), wherein in the fastened arrangement of the prosthesis system (100) the threaded section (26) of the connecting part (20) is screwed to the threaded connection (51) of the liner cuff (5). Prosthesis system (100) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the closure device (70) comprises a locking holder (72), preferably spring-mounted (73), which locking holder (73) in the fastened arrangement of the prosthesis system (100) engages in a positive and/or non-positive manner in a locking notch (14) of the locking section (13) of the pin pin (10) within the through opening (62). Prosthesis system (100) according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that in the secured arrangement of the prosthesis system (100) in the assembled position of the connecting device (1), the ball head (16) of the pin (10) is mounted in the joint socket (23) of the connecting part (20) with at least one securing means (31, 32, 33) in a captive manner. Prosthesis system (100) according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that in the secured arrangement of the

Prosthesis system (100) in the assembled position of the connecting device (1), the longitudinal axis direction (11) of the pin pin (10) by a deflection angle (30) of at least 10°, preferably of at least 15°, particularly preferably of at least 20°, in relation to the longitudinal axis direction (21) of the

connecting part (20) can be pivoted.