Durability test system for repetitive loading of a prosthetic socket

1. A system for repetitive loading of a prosthetic socket, the system comprising:

a base;

a load cell coupled to the base;

a first coupling mechanism positioned vertically above the load cell, wherein the first coupling mechanism is configured to be removably coupled to a first end of the prosthetic socket;

a second coupling mechanism positioned vertically above the first coupling mechanism, wherein the second coupling mechanism is configured to be removably coupled to a second end of the prosthetic socket;

a rod having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of the rod is coupled to the second coupling mechanism;

a motor coupled to the second end of the rod;

a support structure extending vertically from the base;

an actuator coupled to the support structure such that the actuator is positioned vertically above the second coupling mechanism; and

a curved rail coupled to the actuator and positioned between the actuator and the second coupling mechanism, wherein the curved rail is configured to contact the second coupling mechanism along an arc defined by the curved rail such that the second coupling mechanism moves along the arc when the motor moves the rod.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the motor generates a cyclic motion that pushes and pulls the rod to thereby push and pull the second coupling mechanism along the arc of the curved rail.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the rod is indirectly coupled to the second coupling mechanism.

4. The system of claim 3 , the system further comprising:

a second rod having a first end coupled to the first end of the rod and a second end coupled to a first side of the second coupling mechanism; and

a third rod having a first end coupled to the first end of the rod and a second end coupled to a second side of the second coupling mechanism.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one rotatable component coupled to the second coupling mechanism, wherein the at least one rotatable component is configured to contact the curved rail.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the curved rail includes at least one groove in a bottom surface of the curved rail configured to receive the at least one rotatable component.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one groove in the bottom surface of the curved rail comprises two grooves, and wherein the at least one rotatable component is configured to be received between the two grooves.

8. The system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one rotatable component comprises a cylindrical disk with a plurality of ball bearings.

9. The system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one rotatable component extends vertically from the second coupling mechanism such that only the at least one rotatable component contacts and moves along the arc when the motor moves the rod.

10. The system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one rotatable component comprises a first rotatable component positioned on a first side of the second coupling mechanism and a second rotatable component positioned on a second side of the second coupling mechanism.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to adjust a compressive force between the curved rail and the second coupling mechanism.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured to cause a range of motion of the prosthetic socket from about −25 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the prosthetic socket to about 25 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the prosthetic socket.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured to cause a range of motion of the prosthetic socket from about −5 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the prosthetic socket to about 23 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the prosthetic socket.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein about one half of a static failure load is applied to the prosthetic socket by the actuator during operation of the motor.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein a length of the rod is adjustable.

16. A method for testing a durability of a prosthetic socket, the method comprising:

positioning a prosthetic socket into the system of claim 1 ;

applying a compressive force to the prosthetic socket; and

activating the motor to generate a cyclic motion that pushes and pulls the rod to thereby push and pull the second coupling mechanism along the arc of the curved rail for a number of cycles.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the compressive force is applied to the prosthetic socket via the actuator.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the compressive force comprises about one half of a static failure load of the prosthetic socket.

19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

evaluating a durability of the prosthetic socket after the number of cycles.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the compressive force is varied throughout the number of cycles.