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Automated design and manufacture of artificial limbs

  • US 5,539,649 A
  • Filed: 01/17/1995
  • Issued: 07/23/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for producing a three-dimensional topographic image of a portion of a human limb and for producing a prosthetic device for attachment to said limb, comprising:

  • transducer means for generating an ultrasonic signal and for directing said ultrasonic signal toward said limb, said transducer further comprising means for detecting portions of said ultrasonic signals reflected by the surface of said limb and by the surface of the bone within said limb and for producing electronic signals in response thereto;

    means for moving said transducer to a plurality of positions proximate to the surface of said limb;

    means for tracking a source point in space of said ultrasonic signal;

    data processing means for processing a plurality of said electronic signals from said transducer and information from said tracking means to produce an electronic data representation of said surfaces of said limb and said bone;

    data modification means for defining a limb socket surface structure for said prosthetic device based on modification of said electronic data representation of said surface of said limb and according to said electronic data representation of said surface of said bone, said modification serving to provide optimal support structures to areas on said limb socket surface proximal to said bone; and

    a numerically controlled mill for automated production of said prosthetic device for attachment to said limb, said numerically controlled mill being responsive to control signals generated by said data processing means and said data modification means.

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