DE102008023006A1 - Prosthesis coating for functional and cosmetic covering of prosthesis, particularly hand or foot prosthesis, has skin-colored layer which is made of plastic, and prosthesis coating is formed as hollow body - Google Patents

Abstract

The prosthesis coating has a skin-colored layer which is made of plastic. The prosthesis coating is formed as a hollow body and has an opening for insertion of the prosthesis. Another layer made of plastic in a different color is arranged on the side of the skin-colored layer facing the prosthesis. The skin-colored layer is made up of an elastic material, particularly flexible polyvinyl chloride. A transparent plastic coating is applied on a turned away side of the skin-colored layer of the prosthesis. An independent claim is included for a method for manufacturing a prosthesis coating.

Description

The The invention relates to a prosthesis coating for functional and / or cosmetic cover of a prosthesis with a skin-colored layer a plastic, wherein the prosthesis coating formed as a hollow body is and an opening for insertion the prosthesis, and a method for producing a Prosthesis coating.

prostheses on the extremities, especially hand or foot prostheses as well as arm prostheses, are covered with a coating of an elastic material provided to both cosmetic and functional requirements to fulfill. In an effort to be as possible natural Appearance also for amputees provide the technical components of the prostheses more and more of the natural Function of the missing limb customized. About that It also attempts to match the shape of the prostheses with those of the natural ones appendage to match, thus the use of the prosthesis in everyday Dealing as possible little noticeable. Next the shape of a prosthesis, the external appearance is also important why such prosthetics often with a denture cover be provided as possible close to the visual impression of a natural extremity. This is a plastic coating made of an elastic material of the desired shape accordingly and usually expensive colored by hand to one as possible natural To create an impression. Subsequently the coating will over the Denture pulled, where he also has the function, a protective cover provide the mechanical components of the prosthesis and optionally due to the elastically adherent properties of the coating to ensure a secure grip for actuated prostheses.

Around to produce such prosthesis coatings is a plastic filled in a negative mold and networked from the outside, so that is from the outside forms a closed layer inside, for example after Kind of a glove. The excess plastic is removed from the mold, in particular poured, the coating removed from the mold and subsequently reworked, so shortened to the desired dimensions and after all painted. This manufacturing process is extraordinary with one associated with high effort, since a high proportion of manual labor in the colored reworking of the coatings occurs.

task The present invention is therefore a prosthesis coating and to provide a method for its manufacture, made with which coatings Be that skin-like coloring have to be colored without consuming.

According to the invention this Task by a denture cover with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of Claim 10 solved. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are in the subclaims listed.

Of the prosthesis coating according to the invention for functional and / or cosmetic cover of a prosthesis, in particular a hand or foot prosthesis, with a skin-colored layer of a plastic, wherein the prosthesis cover as hollow body is formed and an opening for introducing the Prosthesis, provides that on the prosthesis facing Side of the skin-colored layer another layer of a plastic arranged in a different color, leaving the visible skin-colored layer is underlaid by a layer of paint through which a more natural one Appearance can be achieved because this layer through the translucent skin layer is at least partially visible and one of the natural ones Skin color approximated Effect generated.

A Development of the invention provides that the skin-colored layer made of an elastic material, in particular soft PVC is, likewise, the further layer of elastic material, be formed in particular a soft PVC, wherein the other Layer is formed on the skin-colored layer.

Prefers has the further layer, ie the inner layer, one Red or brown on, one the natural one Color shades corresponding design of the prosthesis cover to achieve.

A further approach to the natural appearance is achieved when the prosthesis coating has a skin-like surface structure has, so it is provided with wrinkles and pores.

The Skin-colored layer can have different layer thicknesses at selected locations or on selected ones Have areas, so that a different strong appearance the second color layer is reached, so the individual areas highlighted can be For example, the differences between the palm and back of the hand, ankles or also differences in dark skin colors.

On the side facing away from the prosthesis of the skin-colored layer, a transparent plastic coating may be applied to protect the skin-colored layer from mechanical stresses, preferably this transparent coating of an elastic material, in particular soft PVC formed and also has a skin-like structure on. The application of the transparent coating can also take place in the mold by first filled a transparent plastic compound and at least partially gelled or crosslinked, then filled a skin-colored plastic compound and gelled together or crosslinked to form a skin-colored layer and finally with a different colored, inner layer of plastic is covered. In addition to this three-layer structure and other color layers can be provided, also you can deviate from the above skin tones by using other colors produce particularly striking coatings to point out by a particularly unnatural color design offensively to the prosthesis.

Next an embodiment of the skin-colored layer in different layer thickness it is also possible to form the differently colored, inner layer with different layer thicknesses different color intensities to produce, so that corresponding color effects are generated.

The Process for producing a prosthesis coating, in particular a prosthesis coating Prostheses coating, as described above, in which a hollow shape with a skin-colored Plastic filled and from the outside heated is, wherein the plastic to form a hollow body, at least partially gelled or crosslinked, provides that the mold at selected Places or areas in proportion to the rest Mold less heated and a skin-colored layer of different thickness is formed and then on the inside of the skin-colored layer a different colored layer Plastic is applied. By training different Strengthen the skin-colored layer, the different colored layer of plastic seems different strong, so that the main skin color of the coating is determined. The Concentration of color and wall thickness are essential because the skin-colored layer laid the foundation for this will, to what extent the inner layer shines through. If lighter skin tones are desired, that is the underlying layer is red, rather with dark skin tones brown. In this way, a skin-like color results, without that elaborate needs to be colored.

A Development of the invention provides that on the outside the hollow mold insulating elements are arranged, depending on from the desired, to be transferred heat selected are. By applying different insulating on the conventional one Molds it is possible the heat transfer from the outside in to control the mold inside, as a thermal shield from. Depending on the insulating effect of the insulating therefore different Layer thicknesses, in particular the skin-colored layer, by different Gelling or crosslinking speeds achieved so that the With insulating panels cladding sites a smaller layer thickness as at the freely accessible Be formed elements of the mold. Through the covers on the forms can Thus, individual area will be highlighted, so in combination different with the color choice of the underlying color layer Shades in the coloring can be achieved the one natural Appearance. If necessary, postcolourations are much easier to perform than conventional coatings.

In front the filling The skin-colored plastic can be a transparent plastic filled in and under formation of a hollow body be crosslinked, this transparent layer as a mechanical Protective layer against wear of the skin-colored layer is provided.

When Plastic for all Layers is preferably a soft PVC emulsion provided in filled the mold becomes.

To the cross-linking of the differently colored plastic becomes the prosthesis coating taken from the mold and painted for final completion and made-up.

following is an embodiment of Invention with reference to the attached Figures explained in more detail. It demonstrate:

1 A dorsal view of a mold;

2 - a volar view of a form;

3 - A partially sectioned view of a two-layer prosthesis cover; such as

4 - A partially sectioned view of a three-layer prosthesis cover.

In the 1 is in dorsal plan view a form 10 shown for a prosthesis cover. Form 10 is designed for a prosthesis coating of a hand prosthesis and has at the proximal end an optionally closable filling opening for a plastic, in particular for a gellable or crosslinkable plastic. Preferably, soft PVC is used as the material for prosthesis coatings, but other elastic materials may also be used. On selected areas of the form 10 are insulating elements 20 arranged in the illustrated example in the area of the ankle and the fingertips.

In the 2 is a volare top view on the shape 10 according to the 1 shown, on the basis of which it can be seen that on the inside of the finger, in the area of the handball as well as in the wrist area likewise insulating elements 20 are applied. About these insulating elements 20 the heat input gets into the interior of the mold 10 regulated. There is a gellable material within the mold 10 For example, a soft PVC emulsion, it depends on the heat input from the outside to the mold 10 at which speed the gelling or crosslinking takes place. So are on selected areas of the form 10 Insulating applied decreases at these points by the shape 10 introduced amount of heat, thereby adjusts a corresponding thereto reduced Gelierneigung. In the places with insulating elements 20 covered, slower gelation or crosslinking takes place, so that the layer in the areas with the insulating elements 20 thinner than at the areas of the mold 10 that do not have insulating elements 20 exhibit.

The manufacturing method provides that the shape 10 is formed as a negative mold, and has a cavity in the interior, the surface of which corresponds to the outer surface of the prosthesis cover to be produced, in the present case corresponds as closely as possible to the natural appearance of a hand. To produce a prosthesis coating, a soft PVC emulsion is then introduced through the proximal filling opening, for example, and then heat is applied to the mold from the outside 10 applied, for example via heat rays or immersion in a heated liquid. After fishing the first emulsion, which consists either of a transparent soft PVC layer or a skin-colored soft PVC layer depending on the configuration, the ungelled PVC is removed and filled a second, different colored emulsion. Again, heat is supplied from the outside again and causes gelation of the second, differently colored emulsion. To produce the second or further, inner layer, the insulating elements 20 be completely or partially removed or replaced by other insulating. Likewise, insulating elements 20 in the application of the second or further layer with other insulating properties or at other locations of the mold 10 be applied to achieve an adapted layer thickness.

After a sufficient layer thickness of the second or further layer has been reached, the not yet gelled emulsion is poured out. After pouring the ungelled emulsion and before removing the prosthesis coating from the mold, the prosthesis coating is still gelled or crosslinked so as to be solidified so that it can be removed from the mold, then the finished prosthesis coating of the mold 10 taken. Finally, the prosthesis cover blank is finished, for example, by the desired length is cut or individual areas are nachkoloriert.

In the 3 is a finished denture cover 100 shown in a partially sectioned illustration. The prosthesis cover 100 is constructed in two layers or two layers, as can be seen in the enlarged detail. The inner layer 1 is made of a dark material, while the outer layer 2 made of a skin-colored material. The enlarged detailed representation shows that different layer thicknesses in some areas of the individual layers 1 . 2 present, which causes in the thinner areas of the outer layer 2 the coloring of the inner layer 1 shines through more strongly than at the thicker layer areas of the outer layer 2 , In this way, for example, at the ankles or joint regions of the prosthesis coating, a course of the coloring approximated to the natural coloring of a skin can be produced, without a color layer having to be applied from the outside.

In the 4 a variant is shown in the layer structure, in which the inner layer 1 and the skin-colored layer 2 according to the 3 are constructed. The two colored layers 1 . 2 are of a thin, transparent layer 3 surrounded, which is applied for protection reasons. This outer layer 3 Among other things, it serves the skin-colored layer 2 To protect against too rapid abrasion, which is unavoidable especially in hand prostheses by the gripping and daily use.

The 3 and 4 It can be seen that a total uniform thickness of the prosthesis cover 100 is present, with different layer thicknesses of differently colored layers 1 . 2 , Likewise, it is possible to achieve a particularly thick prosthesis coating by means of targeted insulation or heat supply to particularly stressed areas 100 to provide and to increase the total thickness of the prosthesis coating at particularly stressed points in this way. In principle, however, it is possible and intended to have a uniform thickness of the prosthesis cover 100 provide. Thus, the ratios of the layer thicknesses of the respective layers vary 1 . 2 to each other at substantially uniform overall layer thickness.

In this way, one obtains a prosthesis cover which has an opening for insertion of a prosthesis at its proximal end and can be easily applied to the prosthesis in an adapted color scheme. The skin-colored layer 2 is doing it with a different colored plastic layer 1 deposited and can from an outer cover 3 be covered, the outer coating 3 and / or the skin-colored layer 2 have a structure that corresponds to the structure of the natural skin, that has wrinkles and pores. This supports a natural appearance of the prosthesis. In principle, it is also possible that further colored plastic layers below the skin-colored layer 2 be applied, so that a greater variation in tints can be achieved. The layer thicknesses of the individual layers may vary in order to reinforce the respective hue or to let it shine through only slightly.

The Variation of the layer thicknesses is about the respective amount of heat controlled, which applied in the appropriate places on the form becomes. Also layers arranged further inside can have insulating elements in their Geliergeschwindigkeit and thus adjusted in their layer thickness become.

Claims (14)

Prosthesis cover for the functional and / or cosmetic covering of a prosthesis, in particular a hand or foot prosthesis, with a skin-colored layer ( 2 ) made of a plastic, wherein the prosthesis cover ( 100 ) is formed as a hollow body and having an opening for insertion of the prosthesis, characterized in that on the prosthesis side facing the skin-colored layer ( 2 ) another layer ( 1 ) is arranged from a plastic in a different color. Prosthesis coating according to claim 1, characterized in that the skin-colored layer ( 2 ) is formed of an elastic material, in particular soft PVC. Prosthesis coating according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the further layer ( 1 ) is formed of an elastic material, in particular soft PVC. Prosthesis coating according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further layer ( 1 ) on the skin-colored layer ( 2 ) is formed. Prosthesis coating according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further layer ( 1 ) has a red or brown color. Prosthesis coating according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the prosthesis coating ( 100 ) has a skin-like surface structure. Prosthesis coating according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the skin-colored layer ( 2 ) has different layer thicknesses at selected locations or in selected areas. Prosthesis coating according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the side facing away from the prosthesis of the skin-colored layer ( 2 ) a transparent plastic coating ( 3 ) is applied. Prosthesis coating according to claim 8, characterized in that the transparent coating ( 3 ) is formed of soft PVC. Process for producing a prosthesis coating, in particular a prosthesis coating according to one of the preceding claims, in which a hollow mold ( 10 ) is filled with a skin-colored plastic and heated from the outside, wherein the plastic is at least partially gelled to form a hollow body, characterized in that the hollow mold ( 10 ) at selected locations or areas relative to the remaining cavity ( 10 ) and a skin-colored layer ( 2 ) of different thickness and then on the inside of the skin-colored layer ( 2 ) a different colored layer ( 1 ) Plastic is applied. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that on the outside of the mold ( 10 ) Insulating elements ( 20 ), which are selected depending on the desired amount of heat to be transferred. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized that before filling the skin-colored plastic filled a transparent plastic and under formation of a hollow body gelled or gelled. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that as plastic a soft PVC emulsion in the mold ( 10 ) is filled. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that after gelling or crosslinking of the differently colored plastic prosthesis coating ( 100 ) from the mold ( 10 ) is removed and painted.