Alignment device for a prosthetic limb

• US 6,761,743 B1
• Filed: 09/24/2001
• Issued: 07/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timothy Johnson
• Original Assignee: Timothy Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Application Number:
  US09/937,390
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 623/27, 623/31-33, 623/36, 623/38, 623/57-58
• 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 (10) for a prosthetic limb (12) to provide angular movement of the prosthetic limb (12) in an anterior-posterior plane. The alignment device (10) includes a mounting mechanism (24) supported by a prosthetic socket (28), a prosthetic limb (12) operatively connected to the mounting mechanism (24), and an extendable and retractable positioning mechanism (84) operatively connected to the mounting mechanism (24) and the prosthetic limb (12). The prosthetic limb (12) is adapted to move angularly in the anterior-posterior plane upon extension or retraction of the positioning mechanism (84). A hinge connection (606, 610) may be provided between the prosthetic limb (12) and the mounting mechanism (602) to permit the prosthetic limb (12) to rotate about a hinge axis extending through the hinge connection (606, 610). 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 having a base and a pivotal connection and being configured to be operatively connected to the below-the-knee prosthetic lower leg through the pivotal connection proximate an upper end of the prosthetic lower leg, the pivotal connection being movable in a path relative to the base so that the prosthetic lower leg is adapted to move angularly in an anterior-posterior plane relative to the base; and

an extendable and retractable positioning mechanism operatively connected to the mounting mechanism and configured to be operatively connected to the prosthetic lower leg, whereby the positioning mechanism is adapted to angularly align the prosthetic lower leg 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 further including a below-the-knee prosthetic lower leg operatively connected proximate an upper end thereof to the mounting mechanism.

4. The alignment device of claim 3 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 comprising a locking mechanism associated with the coupling member and operable to prevent sliding movement of the coupling member on the shaft.

12. The alignment device of claim 11 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a rack gear having a plurality of teeth operable to engage a plurality of teeth formed on the coupling member.

13. The alignment device of claim 11 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking plate operable to engage a slotted pin associated with the coupling member.

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