DE2345084A1 - LEG PROSTHESIS IMPROVEMENTS - Google Patents

Description

Li *;: χ% ϊ.

Patent, ™ ^

8035 Gauting. Z J 4 D U O H

Hubertusstr. 83V2 .___

September 6, 1973 ! Kleine Akteih 104-j, DT

JE Hanger & Company Limited, Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, London, England

Improvements to prosthetic legs

The present invention relates to improvements in leg prostheses, particularly on the visible part of the Shin part of such prostheses.

Basically, all modern leg prostheses consist of a load-bearing metal structure, for example a light metal alloy, which is completely separated from the embellishment part, and the latter (often from consisting of a plastic laminate) has little or no load-bearing function.

There is an increasing trend towards a modular system of standardized elements for construction to use of artificial limbs.

Elements such as knee and foot joints are standard sizes and engaging surfaces and are

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equipped with various forms of mechanical or hydraulic controls and other actuation parts, to meet the needs of individual patients.

Among such elements are various standardized shapes of tibial limbs from predetermined or adjustable size.

The object of the invention is in particular to provide a standardized tibial covering element which can be changed in length to create an economical, hygienic and aesthetically attractive covering the shin elements guaranteed.

According to the invention this is achieved in that a two-part cover for a tibial limb mass of a leg prosthesis is provided with an upper part Resilient plastic, the interior of which is designed so that it glides over the outer surfaces of the limbs and can lay on it, and having a lower portion in the form of a thin, generally tubular, laminated one Shell, with the outer surface of said upper Partly over a given length at the lower end of which is tapered at a certain angle and the inner surface

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of the lower part is tapered over a given length at its upper part at a smaller angle, so that the lower part is fitted over the flexible upper part by applying force and the total length of the joined Parts of the maximum length before force fitting by removing a length of material from the top The end of the lower part can be shortened before the overlay.

The term "tapered" heretofore is not intended to be exclusive mean a conical taper, in practice it is rather the parts to improve the aesthetic appearance given a slightly curved outline; in this context the word "angle" means a general one Reduction of the circumference from the higher to the lower parts of a part.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the ' Interior of the upper part "should be reinforced with a standard pre-formed glass laminate, which has relatively hard surfaces which lends itself to mating with the metal elements of the tibia limb mass.

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The interior of the upper part can also be set back over certain areas in order to only have a thin exterior Leaving skin which can be slit to allow access to the adjustable elements of the tibia mass.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the lower or distal end of the lower part can also do so be designed so that it can be fitted onto and attached to an ankle or foot member.

Before adjusting the lower part by exerting force on the upper part, the inner surface of the upper The end of the former can be raised or tapered slightly to avoid the formation of an unsightly hump in the resilient Surface of the latter to avoid.

The principle of the invention is explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an assembled, adjusted to the greatest length Shin cover or embellishment part,

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FIG. 2 is a similar view of the cover or embellishment part according to FIG. 1, however set to the minimum length

FIG. 3 is a section through a detail of the cover or embellishment part according to FIG 1 and 2 in a plane running at right angles to the plane of the preceding figures, and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover or decoration part according to FIG. 3.

From Figure 1 it can be seen that the lower end of the upper part 1 of the cover or embellishment part of a circumference A is tapered over the length L to a circumference B, whereas the upper end of the lower part 2 from The circumference A is tapered over the length L + X to the circumference B.

The knee and ankle centers are indicated by O and P in Figures 1 and 2, respectively.

According to Fig. 1, the matched parts 1 and 2 result in the maximum length between the center of the knee and the ankle, whereas according to Fig. 2 a length X cut away from the upper end of the lower part 2 and the distance between

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-G-

the centers have been shortened accordingly.

It should be noted that cutting off shorter lengths as X from the lower part 2 makes it possible to obtain any total length between the maximum and the minimum.

The lower part can be marked or graduated to indicate the cutting height for a particular shin length and it should also be noted that because the tapered sections are not linear, the Scale lines do not necessarily have to be evenly spaced.

When attaching or plugging the two parts together, it is not necessary that both of them go through the one underneath Structure are held together, as can be seen in connection with the upper part 1 from FIGS. A similar structure on the ankle holds the lower parts in place.

From Figures 3 and 4 it can be seen that the upper part of the cover or /. Embellishment part 3 a preformed one Contains coating 3 made of glass laminate, which is vertical

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Has surfaces such as 4 and 5, which on complementary surfaces the upper and lower end fitting members 6 of a tubular tibial member 7 made of metal abut.

As mentioned above, the lower part 2 also comprises vertical and horizontal surfaces (which preferably in a relatively stiff glass laminate are included), which rest against horizontal surfaces of the elements of an ankle fitting.

In the end result, it is obvious / a top cover or cover. Embellishment part 1 up and above a standardized Slide the measuring shin 7 until surfaces like 8 and 9 prevent it from being pushed open again. Then v / ird cut away the upper "tapered" end of part 2 until that the lower tibia limbs make a similar finding of the cover or beautification element for any desired length between the center of the knee joint and the center of the ankle causes.

A variation in tibia length of 2 1/2 "(6.4 cm) meets the requirements of 90% of the patients, and does so can be achieved with ease with the cover element according to the present invention.

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It should be noted that a small warehouse of standardized upper and lower parts of different thicknesses can meet the needs of the majority of female and male patients.

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Claims (3)

Claims .] Covering or beautification element of an artificial one Shin, which is cast from plastic “characterized in that a two-part cover is provided is, with an upper part made of resilient plastic, the interior of which is designed so that it over outer surfaces of the limb slides and rests on it, and with a lower part in the form of a thin, generally tubular laminated shell, with the outer surface of said upper part over a given Length at the lower end is tapered at a certain angle and the inner surface of the lower part over a given length is tapered at a smaller angle at its upper end so that the lower part is through Force is taken care of the resilient upper part and the total length of the assembled parts opposite the maximum length before force fitting by removing a length of material from the top of the bottom Part is shortened. 2. Cover or beautification element according to claim 1, - characterized in that the interior of the upper End of the upper part of the cover with harder material 409812/0466 is reinforced so that abutment surfaces for complementary Metal surfaces of a covered shin can be created. 3. Cover or beautification element according to claim 2, characterized in that the reinforcement is designed as a standardized preformed glass laminate, around which the resilient plastic material is cast will. 409812/0460