Pressure/temperature monitoring device for prosthetics

• US 7,150,762 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2003
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otto Bock HealthCare LP (Nader Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Otto Bock HealthCare LP (Nader Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Caspers, Carl A.
• Primary Examiner(s): SNOW, BRUCE EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US10/699,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20040167638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 623 27- 37, 623/912
• US Class Current: 623/33
• 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 2002/7615 Measuring means for implanting artificial joints A61F2/4657
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7635 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7655 for measuring fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/766 for measuring moisture
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7665 for measuring temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/769 Displaying measured values
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7695 Means for testing non-implantable prostheses for testing implantable prostheses A61F2240/008; for implanting artificial joints A61F2/468
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/802 Suction sockets, i.e. utilizing differential air pressure to retain the prosthesis on the stump
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/008 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/912 Method or apparatus for measuring or testing prosthetic

Abstract

An apparatus and method for monitoring aspects of a socket of a prosthetic limb having a residual limb contained therein. The apparatus includes and the method uses sensors for measuring one or more of pressure, force, temperature, moisture, and vacuum and one or more devices for displaying sensor values to the wearer, setting sensor limits, and/or sounding an audible alarm when a sensor limit is exceeded.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring one or more aspects relating to a socket of an prosthetic limb having a residual limb contained therein, the apparatus comprising:

(a) at least one of a pressure sensor and a force sensor;

(b) a temperature sensor;

(c) a moisture sensor;

(d) a display of values sensed by at least one of the pressure sensor, force sensor, temperature sensor, moisture sensor; and

(e) an alarm for indicating when a value sensed by one of the pressure sensor, force sensor, temperature sensor, and moisture sensor is beyond a sensor value limit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a computer for setting sensor value limits.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a disconnectable connection between the computer and the remainder of the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

(f) a liner within the socket; and

wherein the apparatus is configured such that pressure between the residual limb and the socket or between the socket and the liner can be sensed.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum sensor, and wherein the display of values is sensed by at least one of the pressure sensor, force sensor, temperature sensor, moisture sensor and vacuum sensor, and wherein the alarm indicates when a value sensed by one of the pressure sensor, force sensor, temperature sensor, moisture sensor and vacuum sensor is beyond a sensor value limit.

5. An apparatus for monitoring the environment of the prosthetic socket of an artificial limb having a residual limb contained therein, the apparatus comprising:

(a) at least one sensor positioned at least partially within a wall of the socket for sensing at least one of pressure, force, temperature, and moisture, wherein the at least one sensor can be configured with value limits; and

(b) an indicator of when a value sensed by the at least one sensor is beyond a value limit; and

a computer for setting sensor value limits.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the indicator comprises a display for sensed values.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a disconnectable connection between the computer and the remainder of the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

(c) a liner within the socket; and

wherein the apparatus is configured such that pressure between the residual limb and the socket or between the socket and the liner can be sensed.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sensor for sensing pressure can sense a vacuum between the socket and the residual limb.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sensor for sensing pressure can sense pressure being applied to a portion of the residual limb.

19. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the indicator comprises an audible alarm.

11. A method for monitoring aspects relating to a socket of a prosthetic limb and a residual limb contained therein, the method comprising:

(a) sensing at least one of pressure and force, and at least one of temperature and moisture, with respect to at least one of the socket, the residual limb, and a space there between;

(b) setting sensor value limits; and

(c) indicating when a sensed value is beyond at least one of the sensor value limits.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

(d) displaying sensed values.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the socket includes a liner and wherein sensing pressure comprises sensing a vacuum between the socket and the liner or between the liner and the residual limb.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein sensing pressure comprises sensing pressure being applied to a portion of the residual limb.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein sensing force comprises sensing force being applied to a portion of the residual limb.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein indicating comprises providing an audible alarm.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein sensing temperature comprises sensing temperature within the socket.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein sensing moisture comprises sensing moisture within the socket.

21. An apparatus for monitoring the environment of the prosthetic socket of an artificial limb having a residual limb contained therein, the apparatus comprising:

a liner mountable over the residual limb and having a wall, the liner receivable within the socket;

at least one sensor positioned within the wall of the liner for sensing at least one of pressure, force, temperature, and moisture, wherein the at least one sensor can be configured with value limits;

an indicator of when a value sensed by the at least one sensor is beyond a value limit; and

a computer for setting sensor value limits.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the indicator comprises a display for sensed values.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the indicator comprises at least one of an audible alarm and a visual alarm.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a disconnectable connection between the computer and the remainder of the apparatus.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a sensor for sensing a vacuum within the socket.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the wall of the liner comprises an inner wall to be positioned adjacent to the residual limb, and wherein the at least one sensor is positioned within the inner wall of the liner.

27. An apparatus for monitoring the environment of the prosthetic socket of an artificial limb having a residual limb contained therein, the apparatus comprising:

(a) at least one sensor positioned within a wall of the socket for sensing at least one of pressure, force, temperature, and moisture, wherein the at least one sensor can be configured with value limits; and

(b) an indicator of when a value sensed by the at least one sensor is beyond a value limit, wherein the indicator comprises an audible alarm.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a computer for setting sensor value limits.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a disconnectable connection between the computer and the remainder of the apparatus.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising:

(c) a liner within the socket; and

wherein the apparatus is configured such that pressure between the residual limb and the socket or between the socket and the liner can be sensed.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the sensor for sensing pressure can sense a vacuum between the socket and the residual limb.

32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the sensor for sensing pressure can sense pressure being applied to a portion of the residual limb.