초록 ▼

The present invention facilitates the use of the rapid manufacturing systems in the manufacture of prosthetic limb sockets by providing a substantially flat and strong distal attachment plate or base for the deposition of the fused-deposition-modeling materials thereon. The present invention also pr

The present invention facilitates the use of the rapid manufacturing systems in the manufacture of prosthetic limb sockets by providing a substantially flat and strong distal attachment plate or base for the deposition of the fused-deposition-modeling materials thereon. The present invention also provides a method for fabricating a socket of a prosthetic limb which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a substantially flat distal attachment plate, where the attachment plate includes a coupling mechanism carried thereon for coupling a prosthetic upright assembly thereto; and (b) repeatedly depositing layers of solidifying material to the proximal surface of the attachment plate, controlled, at least in part, according to the dimensions of the patient's residual limb, so as to form a socket for receiving the patient's residual limb. The attachment plate may have a notch machined or formed into its proximal surface, about a periphery thereof, for receiving a first layer of the solidifying material and providing at least two bonding surfaces for the solidifying material.

대표청구항 ▼

The present invention facilitates the use of the rapid manufacturing systems in the manufacture of prosthetic limb sockets by providing a substantially flat and strong distal attachment plate or base for the deposition of the fused-deposition-modeling materials thereon. The present invention also pr

The present invention facilitates the use of the rapid manufacturing systems in the manufacture of prosthetic limb sockets by providing a substantially flat and strong distal attachment plate or base for the deposition of the fused-deposition-modeling materials thereon. The present invention also provides a method for fabricating a socket of a prosthetic limb which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a substantially flat distal attachment plate, where the attachment plate includes a coupling mechanism carried thereon for coupling a prosthetic upright assembly thereto; and (b) repeatedly depositing layers of solidifying material to the proximal surface of the attachment plate, controlled, at least in part, according to the dimensions of the patient's residual limb, so as to form a socket for receiving the patient's residual limb. The attachment plate may have a notch machined or formed into its proximal surface, about a periphery thereof, for receiving a first layer of the solidifying material and providing at least two bonding surfaces for the solidifying material. on of a second element. 4. A modular connection according to claim 1 wherein said second concentric wall is formed along a portion of a sidewall defining an aperture extending in a first element, and said first concentric wall is formed on a projection of a second element. 5. A modular connection according to claim 1 wherein: said taper junction is formed by the interaction of a first taper with a second taper, with said second taper being formed along a portion of a sidewall defining an aperture in a first element, and said first taper being formed on a projection of a second element; and said second concentric wall is formed along a portion of a sidewall defining an aperture extending in a first element, and said first concentric wall is formed on a projection of a second element. 6. A modular connection according to claim 5 wherein said first concentric wall is disposed on the projection of the second element coaxial with, and distal to, said first taper. 7. A modular connection according to claim 6 wherein said second concentric wall is disposed on the first element coaxial with, and distal to, said second taper. 8. A modular connection according to claim 1 wherein said one concentric wall is expandable so as to be pressure locked against the other of said concentric walls. 9. A modular connection according to claim 5 wherein said first concentric wall is expanded by insertion of a third element into a recess formed in the second element. 10. A modular connection according to claim 9 wherein the aperture extends completely through the first element. 11. A modular connection according to claim 9 wherein the aperture comprises a blind hold formed in the first element. 12. A modular connection according to claim 9 wherein the aperture comprises a pair of parallel openings. 13. A modular connection according to claim 9 wherein said taper junction and said engaged-fit junction axially overlap one another. 14. A modular connection according to claim 1 wherein said one concentric wall is contracted so as to be pressure locked against the other of said concentric walls. 15. A modular connection in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first and second concentric walls are each of a cylindrical configuration. 16. An orthopedic component comprising a first element and a second element, with the first element and the second element being secured to one another with a modular connection, wherein said modular connection comprises: a taper junction, and an engaged-fit junction, said engaged-fit junction being formed by the interaction of a first concentric wall with a second concentric wall, said first concentric wall being located internally of said second concentric wall, and one of said concentric walls being deformable so as to be pressure locked against the other of said concentric walls. 17. An orthopedic component according to claim 16 wherein said taper junction is formed by the interaction of a first taper with a second taper. 18. An orthopedic component according to claim 17 wherein said second taper is formed along a portion of a sidewall defining an aperture in said first element, and said first taper is formed on a projection of said second element. 19. An orthopedic component according to claim 16 wherein said second concentric wall is formed along a portion of a sidewall defining an aperture extending in said first element, and said first concentric wall is formed on a projection of said second element. 20. An orthopedic component according to claim 16 wherein: said taper junction is formed by the interaction of a first taper with a second taper, said second taper being formed along a portion of a sidewall defining an aperture in said first element, and said first taper being formed on a projection of said second element; and said second concentric wall being formed along a portion of a sidewall defining an aperture in said first element, and said first concentric wall is formed on a projection of said secon d element. 21. An orthopedic component according to claim 20 wherein said first concentric wall is disposed on the projection of the second element coaxial with, and distal to, said first taper. 22. An orthopedic component according to claim 21 wherein said second concentric wall is disposed on the first element coaxial with, and distal to, said second taper. 23. An orthopedic component according to claim 16 wherein said first concentric wall is expandable so as to be pressure locked against said second concentric wall. 24. An orthopedic component according to claim 23 wherein said second concentric wall is formed along a portion of a sidewall defining an aperture in said first element, and said first concentric wall is formed on a projection of said second element, and further wherein said first concentric wall is expanded by insertion of a third element into a recess formed in said second element. 25. An orthopedic component according to claim 24 wherein the aperture extends completely through the first element. 26. An orthopedic component according to claim 24 wherein the aperture comprises a blind hole formed in the first element. 27. An orthopedic component according to claim 24 wherein the aperture comprises a pair of parallel openings. 28. An orthopedic component according to claim 24 wherein said taper junction and said engaged-fit junction axially overlap one another. 29. An orthopedic component according to claim 16 wherein said second concentric wall is contracted so as to be pressure locked against said first concentric wall. 30. An orthopedic component in accordance with claim 16 wherein the first and second concentric walls are each of a cylindrical configuration.