Prosthesis coupling
First Claim
1. A coupling for use in an apparatus for connecting a prosthesis to a bone of a stump of an amputated limb, said apparatus including a tubular female socket having an open lower end adapted to be inserted within an intermedullary cavity of the bone, a sleeve for providing an interface between said female socket and the skin directly below the opening in said socket, and a lock pin carried by said prosthesis having a stem portion adapted to be coaxially disposed and slideably within said tubular female socket for securing said prosthesis to said stump, said coupling comprising:
- (a) a resilient member interposed between said tubular female socket and said sleeve;
(b) means for attaching an inner portion of said resilient member to a lower end of said socket;
(c) means for attaching an outer portion of said resilient member to said sleeve; and
(d) said resilient member having an intermediate flexible portion permitting said sleeve to move relative to said socket;
whereby disturbing of the skin seal between said sleeve and said skin is minimized by permitting said sleeve to move relative to said socket.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coupling for use in an apparatus for connecting a prosthesis to the bone of a stump of an amputated limb which permits a bio-compatible carbon sleeve forming a part of the prosthesis connector to float so as to prevent disturbing the skin seal around the carbon sleeve. The coupling includes a flexible member interposed between a socket that is inserted within an intermedullary cavity of the bone and the sleeve. A lock pin is carried by the prosthesis and has a stem portion which is adapted to be coaxially disposed and slideably within the tubular female socket for securing the prosthesis to the stump. The skin around the percutaneous carbon sleeve is able to move as a result of the flexing coupling so as to reduce stresses caused by changes in the stump shape and/or movement between the bone and the flesh portion of the stump.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A coupling for use in an apparatus for connecting a prosthesis to a bone of a stump of an amputated limb, said apparatus including a tubular female socket having an open lower end adapted to be inserted within an intermedullary cavity of the bone, a sleeve for providing an interface between said female socket and the skin directly below the opening in said socket, and a lock pin carried by said prosthesis having a stem portion adapted to be coaxially disposed and slideably within said tubular female socket for securing said prosthesis to said stump, said coupling comprising:
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(a) a resilient member interposed between said tubular female socket and said sleeve; (b) means for attaching an inner portion of said resilient member to a lower end of said socket; (c) means for attaching an outer portion of said resilient member to said sleeve; and (d) said resilient member having an intermediate flexible portion permitting said sleeve to move relative to said socket; whereby disturbing of the skin seal between said sleeve and said skin is minimized by permitting said sleeve to move relative to said socket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for connecting a prosthesis to a bone of a stump of an amputated limb comprising:
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(a) a tubular female socket adapted to be inserted within an intermedullary cavity of the bone; (b) a bio-compatible sleeve adapted to be carried adjacent the skin line of the stump so that the skin can heal therearound providing a skin seal; (c) a resilient member connected between said bio-compatible sleeve and said tubular female socket providing a resilient connection therebetween so as to permit shifting of said bio-compatible sleeve relative to said socket; and (d) a lock pin carried by said prosthesis having a stem portion adapted to be coaxially disposed and slideably within said tubular female socket for securing said prosthesis to said stump.
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Specification