Prosthetic device contouring and alignment method and apparatus

1. A method of recording information regarding a balance orientation of a limb-receiving member covering a residual limb of an amputee, the method comprising:

positioning the limb-receiving member in the balance orientation with the limb-receiving member bearing on a movable alignment device, wherein positioning the limb-receiving member includes positioning the limb-receiving member relative to the alignment device to align a first anatomical plane of the residual limb with the transmitted light; and

transmitting light from the movable alignment device onto the limb-receiving member to define a first balance plane trough the limb-receiving member;

repositioning the limb-receiving member in the balance orientation with the limb-receiving member positioned relative to the alignment device to align a second anatomical plane of the residual limb with the transmitted light; and

transmitting light from the movable alignment device onto the limb-receiving member to define a second balance plane through the limb-receiving member.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining a balance axis defined by the intersection of the first balance plane and the second balance plane.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising aligning a component of a prosthetic device with the balance axis.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying one or more pressure pads to the interior of the limb-receiving member.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the height of the alignment device to accommodate positioning of the limb-receiving member in the balance orientation.

6. A method of preparing a prosthesis for an amputee having a lower extremity residual limb, comprising:

forming a cast on the residual limb;

positioning the cast in a first balance orientation with the cast bearing on an alignment device having a movable marker, the marker facing the cast to designate a first balance plane passing through the cast;

recording the first balance plane as indicated by the marker;

positioning the cast in a second balance orientation with the cast bearing on the alignment device with the marker facing the cast to designate a second balance plane passing through the cast;

recording the second balance plane as indicated by the marker;

determining an axis of intersection of the first balance plane and the second balance plane; and

aligning a prosthetic component based on the axis of intersection.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising applying one or more pressure-reducing pads to the residual limb before the cast is formed.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

removing the cast from the residual limb;

applying one or more pressure-inducing pads to interior to the cast;

forming a positive limb model based on the cast and pressure-inducing pads; and

forming a prosthetic socket based on the positive limb model.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein aligning a prosthetic component includes coupling an artificial shin structure to the socket in alignment with the axis of intersection.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein recording the first central plane and the second central plane includes marking a line in each plane on the cast.