Alignment device for a prosthetic limb

• US 6,206,932 B1
• Filed: 11/24/1998
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Timothy Johnson
• Original Assignee: Timothy Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Application Number:
  US09/199,240
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 623/38, 623/31-33, 623/36, 623/27, 623/57, 623/58
• US Class Current: 623/38
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/70 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/74 fluid , i.e. hydraulic or pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/76 Means for assembling, fitting or testing prostheses, e.g. for measuring or balancing, e.g. alignment means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/80 Sockets, e.g. of suction type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30387 Dovetail connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/304 with additional means for limiting said sliding
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30405 made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30411 having two threaded end parts connected by a threaded central part with opposite threads at its opposite ends, i.e. for adjusting the distance between both end parts by rotating the central part
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30494 Cooperating protrusions and recesses, e.g. radial serrations, located on abutting end surfaces of a longitudinal connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30495 using a locking ring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30505 spring biased
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30518 with possibility of relative movement between the prosthetic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5012 having two or more inflatable pockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5018 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5021 for adjusting a position by translation along an axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5041 having bearing bushes between the rotating parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/607 Lower legs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6614 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6657 : having a plate-like or strip-like spring element, e.g. an energy-storing cantilever spring keel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6854 : for locking or unlocking a joint
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/701 : operated by electrically controlled means, e.g. solenoids or torque motors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 : using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws

Abstract

An alignment device for a prosthetic limb to provide angular movement of the prosthetic limb in an anterior-posterior plane. The alignment device includes a mounting mechanism supported by a prosthetic socket, a prosthetic limb operatively connected to the mounting mechanism, and an extendable and retractable positioning mechanism operatively connected to the mounting mechanism and the prosthetic limb. The prosthetic limb is adapted to move angularly in the anterior-posterior plane upon extension or retraction of the positioning mechanism. A hinge connection may be provided between the prosthetic limb and the mounting mechanism to permit the prosthetic limb to rotate about a hinge axis extending through the hinge connection. Methods for aligning a prosthetic limb are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An alignment device for a below-the-knee prosthetic lower leg adapted to be operatively connected to a prosthetic foot, comprising:

a mounting mechanism;

a below-the-knee prosthetic lower leg operatively connected proximate an upper end thereof to the mounting mechanism and adapted to be operatively connected to a prosthetic foot, the prosthetic lower leg being adapted to move angularly in an anterior-posterior plane relative to the mounting mechanism; and

an extendable and retractable positioning mechanism operatively connected to the mounting mechanism and the prosthetic lower leg, whereby the prosthetic lower leg is angularly aligned in the anterior-posterior plane upon extension or retraction of the positioning mechanism.

2. The alignment device of claim 1 wherein the positioning mechanism is extendable and retractable at least partially in a generally linear direction.

3. The alignment device of claim 1 wherein the mounting mechanism includes a mounting base and a pair of spaced side plates affixed to the mounting base.

4. The alignment device of claim 1 further including a prosthetic foot operatively connected at a lower end of the prosthetic lower leg.

5. The alignment device of claim 1 further including a prosthetic socket operatively connected to the mounting mechanism.

6. The alignment device of claim 1 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a turnbuckle assembly.

7. The alignment device of claim 1 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a hydraulic actuator.

8. The alignment device of claim 1 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises an electric actuator.

9. The alignment device of claim 1 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a linkage assembly including a threaded screw and a coupling member threadably mounted on the screw and operatively connected to the prosthetic lower leg.

10. The alignment device of claim 1 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a linkage assembly including a shaft and a coupling member slidably mounted on the shaft and operatively connected to the prosthetic lower leg.

11. The alignment device of claim 10 further including at least one inflatable bladder member operable to move the coupling member along the shaft.

12. An alignment device for a below-the-knee prosthetic lower leg adapted to be operatively connected to a prosthetic foot, comprising:

a mounting mechanism;

a below-the-knee prosthetic lower leg operatively connected proximate an upper end thereof to the mounting mechanism through at least one hinge connection and adapted to be operatively connected to a prosthetic foot, the prosthetic lower leg being adapted to move angularly in an anterior-posterior plane relative to the mounting mechanism upon movement about the hinge connection; and

an extendable and retractable positioning mechanism operatively connected to the mounting mechanism and the prosthetic lower leg for moving the prosthetic lower leg about the hinge connection, whereby the prosthetic lower leg is angularly aligned in the anterior-posterior plane upon extension or retraction of the positioning mechanism.

13. The alignment device of claim 12 further including a U-shaped clamp mounted to the prosthetic lower leg.

14. The alignment device of claim 13 wherein the hinge connection is associated with one end of the U-shaped clamp.

15. The alignment device of claim 12 wherein the hinge connection includes a hinge axis extending generally transverse to a long cross sectional dimension of the prosthetic lower leg.

16. An alignment device for a below-the-knee prosthetic lower leg adapted to be operatively connected to a prosthetic foot, comprising:

a mounting mechanism;

a prosthetic lower leg support mechanism operatively connected to the mounting mechanism through at least one hinge connection and configured to support a below-the-knee prosthetic lower leg proximate an upper end of the prosthetic lower leg, the prosthetic lower leg support mechanism being adapted to move the prosthetic lower leg angularly in an anterior-posterior plane relative to the mounting mechanism upon movement of the prosthetic lower leg support mechanism about the hinge connection; and

an extendable and retractable positioning mechanism operatively connected to the mounting mechanism and adapted to be operatively connected to the prosthetic lower leg for moving the prosthetic lower leg support mechanism about the hinge connection, whereby the prosthetic lower leg is adapted to be angularly aligned in the anterior-posterior plane upon extension or retraction of the positioning mechanism.

17. The alignment device of claim 16 wherein the mounting mechanism includes a mounting base and a pair of spaced side plates affixed to the mounting base.

18. The alignment device of claim 16 wherein the prosthetic lower leg support mechanism comprises a U-shaped clamp.

19. The alignment device of claim 18 wherein the hinge connection is associated with one end of the U-shaped clamp.

20. The alignment device of claim 16 further including a rotatable lever operatively connected to the prosthetic lower leg support mechanism and the positioning mechanism.

21. The alignment device of claim 20 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a turnbuckle assembly.

22. The alignment device of claim 20 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a hydraulic actuator.

23. The alignment device of claim 20 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises an electric actuator.

24. The alignment device of claim 16 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a linkage assembly including a threaded screw and a coupling member threadably mounted on the screw and operatively connected to the prosthetic lower leg support mechanism.

25. The alignment device of claim 16 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a linkage assembly including a shaft and a coupling member slidably mounted on the shaft and operatively connected to the prosthetic lower leg support mechanism.

26. The alignment device of claim 25 further including at least one inflatable bladder member operable to move the coupling member along the shaft.

27. An artificial limb, comprising:

a prosthetic socket;

a mounting mechanism supported by the prosthetic socket;

a below-the-knee prosthetic lower leg operatively connected proximate an upper end thereof to the mounting mechanism and adapted to be operatively connected to a prosthetic foot, the prosthetic lower leg being adapted to move angularly in an anterior-posterior plane relative to the mounting mechanism; and

an extendable and retractable positioning mechanism operatively connected to the mounting mechanism and the prosthetic lower leg, whereby the prosthetic lower leg is angularly aligned in the anterior-posterior plane upon extension or retraction of the positioning mechanism.

28. The artificial limb of claim 27 wherein the mounting mechanism is slidably mounted to the prosthetic socket through an adjustable mount.

29. The artificial limb of claim 28 wherein the adjustable mount comprises a dovetail connection.

30. The artificial limb of claim 27 further including a mounting adaptor operatively connected to the prosthetic socket and adapted to support the mounting mechanism.

31. The artificial limb of claim 27 wherein the mounting mechanism is integral with the prosthetic socket.

32. A method of aligning a below-the-knee prosthetic lower leg in an anterior-posterior plane, the prosthetic lower leg being adapted to be operatively connected to a prosthetic foot, comprising:

mounting a below-the-knee prosthetic lower leg for rotation about a hinge axis proximate an upper end thereof; and

operatively connecting an extendable and retractable positioning mechanism to the prosthetic lower leg for moving the prosthetic lower leg about the hinge axis, whereby the prosthetic lower leg is angularly aligned in the anterior-posterior plane upon extension or retraction of the positioning mechanism.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the hinge axis extends generally transverse to a long cross sectional dimension of the prosthetic lower leg.

34. The method of claim 32 further including the step of operatively connecting a prosthetic foot at a lower end of the prosthetic lower leg.

35. The method of claim 32 further including the step of operatively connecting a prosthetic socket to the prosthetic lower leg.

36. A method of aligning a below-the-knee prosthetic lower leg in an anterior-posterior plane, comprising:

providing a hinge connection at an upper end of a below-the-knee prosthetic lower leg, the prosthetic lower leg being adapted to be operatively connected to a prosthetic foot;

providing a hinge axis through the hinge connection extending generally transverse to a long cross sectional dimension of the prosthetic lower leg;

mounting the below-the-knee prosthetic lower leg at the hinge connection for rotation about the hinge axis; and

operatively connecting an extendable and retractable positioning mechanism to the prosthetic lower leg for moving the prosthetic lower leg about the hinge connection, whereby the prosthetic lower leg is angularly aligned in the anterior-posterior plane upon extension or retraction of the positioning mechanism.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a turnbuckle assembly.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a hydraulic actuator.

39. The method of claim 36 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises an electric actuator.

40. The method of claim 36 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a linkage assembly including a threaded screw and a coupling member threadably mounted on the screw and operatively connected to the prosthetic lower leg at the hinge connection.

41. The method of claim 36 wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a linkage assembly including a shaft and a coupling member slidably mounted on the shaft and operatively connected to the prosthetic lower leg at the hinge connection.