Adjustable prosthetic limb socket
The present relates to an adjustable prosthetic limb socket system having a partial rigid support, a non-elastic, flexible support and adjustment means. The adjustable socket system of the present invention can be used for several types of amputations including transfemoral amputations, transtibial amputations, transhumeral amputations, transradial amputations, and other types of amputations. The present invention further includes kits having the adjustable prosthetic limb socket system, as well as methods of making the adjustable prosthetic limb socket system. Methods of using the socket system are further encompassed by the present invention.
1. A socket system for attachment of a prosthetic device to a residual limb of an individual, the residual limb having a volume, a surface area, and a length defined between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, wherein the socket system comprises:
a. a rigid support, the rigid support having a rigid member and a distal base, wherein the rigid member is configured to extend along the length of the residual limb, and wherein the rigid member is shaped to conform to between about 15% and about 75% of the surface area of the residual limb, to thereby define, when in use, a balance of the surface area of the residual limb unsupported by the rigid member;
b. a non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support made from one or more materials used to make wearable garments, wherein the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support is fixedly secured along its length to the rigid support and positioned, when in use, to cover the balance of the surface area of the residual limb unsupported by the rigid member, wherein the rigid member and the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support are configured to cover opposing sides along the longitudinal axis of the residual limb, and wherein the rigid member and the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support do not overlap except in areas used to secure one to the other; and
c. an adjuster to maintain a volumetric fit of the socket system to the residual limb, wherein the adjuster is directly attached to each of the rigid support and the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support;
wherein, when in use, the socket system maintains hydrostatic weight bearing while the volume of the residual limb changes.
2. The socket system of claim 1 , further comprising an attachment for the prosthetic device, wherein the attachment is at the distal base of the rigid support.
3. The socket system of claim 1 , wherein the rigid member is shaped to conform to at least about 50% of the surface area of the residual limb.
4. The socket system of claim 1 , wherein the rigid member is shaped to cover at least about 180° of a circumference of the residual limb.
5. The socket system of claim 1 , wherein the adjuster is selected from the group consisting of: fasteners, straps, snaps, buckles, buttons, hooks, elastic members, trap-locks, ties, laces, clips, zippers, metal loops or roller loops, drawstring & cord lock arrangements, hook-to-hook arrangements, hook & loop arrangements, bungee cord & cord lock arrangements, magnets, slides, block and tackle arrangements, rope/chord and hook arrangements, and a combination thereof.
6. The socket system of claim 1 , further comprising a first gel liner, a second liner, a locking mechanism, or a combination thereof.
7. The socket system of claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum port, suction valve or a locking mechanism.
8. The socket system of claim 1 , wherein the socket system is configured to fit the residual limb, wherein the residual limb is a transfemoral residual limb, a transtibial residual limb, a transhumeral residual limb, or a transradial residual limb.
9. The socket system of claim 1 , wherein the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support is configured to cover a posterior side of a transfemoral residual limb.
10. The socket system of claim 1 , wherein the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support is configured to cover a posterior side of a transtibial residual limb.
11. The socket system of claim 1 , wherein the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support is configured to cover a medial side of a transhumeral residual limb.
12. The socket system of claim 1 , wherein the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support is configured to cover a radial side of a transradial residual limb.
13. A socket for attachment of a prosthetic device to a residual limb of an individual, the residual limb having a circumference, a volume, a surface area, and a length defined between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, wherein the socket comprises:
a. a rigid support, wherein the rigid support comprises a distal base and a rigid member that is shaped to conform to at least a portion of the residual limb, wherein the rigid member is configured to extend along the length of the residual limb, and wherein the rigid member is configured to cover at least about 180° of the circumference of the residual limb, thereby leaving a balance of the surface area of the residual limb unsupported by the rigid member;
b. a non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support made from one or more materials used to make wearable garments, wherein the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support is fixedly secured along its length to the rigid support, wherein the flexible support covers the balance of the residual limb, wherein the rigid member and the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support are configured to independently cover opposing sides along the longitudinal axis of the residual limb, and wherein the rigid member and the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support do not overlap except in areas used to secure one to the other; and
c. an adjuster to maintain a volumetric fit of the socket to the residual limb when in use, wherein the adjuster is directly attached to each of the rigid support and the non-rigid, flexible support;
wherein, when in use, the socket adjusts to fit the volume of the residual limb and wherein, when in use, the socket provides hydrostatic weight bearing.
14. The socket of claim 13 , further comprising an attachment for the prosthetic device, wherein the attachment is at the distal base of the rigid support.
15. The socket of claim 13 , wherein the rigid member is shaped to conform to at least about 50% of the surface area of the residual limb.
16. The socket of claim 13 , further comprising a first gel liner, a second liner, or a combination thereof.
17. The socket of claim 13 , wherein the rigid support is made from a material that comprises thermoplastic, polypropylene, acrylic, polyester or epoxy resins layered with nylon, carbon braids or fiberglass cloths, or a combination thereof.
18. The socket kit of claim 13 , further comprising a vacuum port.
19. The socket of claim 13 , wherein the socket is configured to fit the residual limb wherein the residual limb is a transfemoral residual limb, a transtibial residual limb, a transhumeral residual limb, or a transradial residual limb.
20. The socket of claim 13 , wherein the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support is configured to cover a posterior side of a transfemoral residual limb.
21. The socket of claim 13 , wherein the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support is configured to cover a posterior side of a transtibial residual limb.
22. The socket of claim 13 , wherein the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support is configured to cover a medial side of a transhumeral residual limb.
23. The socket of claim 13 , wherein the non-elastic, non-rigid, flexible support is configured to cover a radial side of a transradial residual limb.