GB2435216A

GB2435216A - Adjustable retention of a size adjustable prosthetic socket

Info

Publication number: GB2435216A
Application number: GB0703167A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Brownlie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-17
Filing date: 2007-02-19
Publication date: 2007-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-19
Also published as: GB2435216B; GB0703167D0; GB0603221D0

Abstract

A releasable fastening means is provided for use with a prosthetic socket adapted for size adjustment. The releasable fastening means comprises a length of flexible material having at respective ends thereof releasable fastening means which may be, for example, a touch and close fastening, snap, studs, strap and buckle. In use the fastening means is secured around the prosthetic socket to provide a comfortable and secure fit. The socket itself has proximal and distal edge portions wherein the proximal edge is of variable size and the fastening means permits loosening or tightening of the fitment of the proximal edge. Comfort padding may also be provided to the adjustable retention means.

Description

Comfort Sock This invention relates to an article for use with a

prosthetic mounting socket or sleeve to facilitate use thereof by a person requiring a lower leg prosthesis. In particular, the article is suitable for use by a person having either a through-knee (disarticulation), or an above-knee leg amputation, with the ability to end bear on the leg stump, and provides a secure and safe means for the person requiring such a prosthesis to use it in normal daily life in a manner approximating usage of a natural limb.

Whenever a person loses part of a limb, some of the challenges to be addressed by the prosthetic designer include providing secure attachment, approximation of normal function, and safety to the user of the prosthesis.

In the case of a leg amputation through or just above the knee, the remaining upper leg stump (thigh) is considered as the primary basis for attachment of a form of lower leg prosthesis, but additional attachment means including strapping and waist belt are often required as components in the attachment of the prosthesis.

Whereas the means for attachment of the prosthetic limb is often designed with movement in an upright (walking) posture, less consideration has been given to the performance of the prosthetic limb and its paraphernalia for the user in a seated position. Frequently, users of such prosthetic limbs find great discomfort when seated, and may be driven to remove it to relieve the discomfort. This is not at all convenient for normal life in a working environment or when travelling long distances where being in a seated position is unavoidable, e.g. on aircraft, trains and buses.

A common basis for attachment is to provide a prosthetic socket or sheath which in use is positioned as a sheath over the stump, and serves as a core for mounting of the prosthetic lower limb. This is a rigid shape socket which periodically has to be substituted by a replacement due to natural volume changes in the fleshy part of the thigh stump over time. This may necessitate at least 3 or 4 changes per annum. Since the user of the prosthesis requires professional assistance by a prosthetist in the design and fitting of a substitute socket, there is both inconvenience to the user, and cost implications for the provider of the prosthetic service. If it were possible to reduce the number of visits to an out-patient department or clinic for the purposes of securing attendance by a prosthetist, considerable advantages could be gained. This, however, requires a fresh approach to the development of prosthetic devices for such amputees.

An object of the present invention is to provide improvements in the field of prosthetics for patients who have lower leg amputation, with the ability to end bear on the upper leg stump.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adjustable retention means for use with a prosthetic stump socket adapted for size adjustment, said adjustable retention means comprising a length of flexible material having at respective ends thereof releasable fastening means, and, optionally, positioned on at least one portion of said length, a pad of cushioning material to mitigate or relieve the effects of pressure upon the stump. The adjustable retention means is of sufficient length to wrap around at least an upper (proximal) edge portion of a prosthetic stump socket.

The flexible material may be a laminate of the same or differing materials fastened together, e.g. by sewing or by garment adhesive, and where additional comfort is required, the optional pad of cushioning material may be incorporated within such a laminate. Suitable materials include leather, silk, rubber, foam, sheepskin, heavy or light canvas etc. The releasable fastening conveniently may be cooperating portions of hook and loop fastening of the Velcro type positioned upon the length of material so as to be fastened by overlying parts of said length. Alternatively, any of suitably positioned snap stud fasteners, strap and buckle, eyelet and lacing which may be releasably tied and knotted, or the like releasable fasteners alone or in combination to provide a prosthetic user with the ability to adjust the tightness fit of the socket.

The adjustable retention means may incorporate comfort padding to overlie a selected portion of the socket e.g. the posterior proximal edge of the stump socket.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an article for use by a person who has had a lower leg amputation, with the ability to end bear on the upper leg stump, the article comprising a socket adapted for size adjustment and fitment over the stump, having proximal and distal edge portions, wherein the proximal edge portion is of variable size, and there is provided adjustable means for loosening or tightening the fitment of the proximal edge, said adjustable retention means including a releasable fastening.

The socket may be forrried such that it is partially cutaway to remove at least a posterior proximal edge portion of the socket, or it may be so formed initially as to provide a notch or gap in the posterior proximal edge portion. The material from which the socket is formed is normally sufficiently resilient to allow a degree of movement to partially close or widen the cutaway gap. The permitted movement is normally sufficient to compensate for natural volume fluctuation in the fleshy part of the upper stump.

The socket may comprise a generally tubular form with a longitudinal slot to allow the form to be expanded or contracted in size to accommodate variance in required internal volume.

The partial closure or widening of the cutaway or slot may be controlled by application of adjustable retention means having a releasable fastening controllable by the wearer of the prosthesis to apply appropriate adjustment. The ability to provide self-adjustment without the need for intervention by a prosthetist is a considerable advantage to the amputee.

The adjustable retention means for use with such a cutaway socket may comprise a length of flexible material configured to be applied to the socket to circumvent at least the proximal edge and overlap the cutaway portion. The length of flexible material preferably has limited lengthwise stretch in order to reliably constrain the proximal edge portion in a desired position and provided a desired degree of comfortable and functional fit to the stump. Suitable materials include leather, silk, rubber, foam, sheepskin, heavy or light canvas etc. The releasable fastening conveniently may be cooperating portions of hook and loop fastening of the Velcro type positioned upon the length of material so as to be fastened by overlying parts of said length. Alternatively, any of suitably positioned snap stud fasteners, strap and buckle, eyelets and lacing which may be releasably tied and knotted, or the like releasable fasteners may be used alone or in combination to provide a prosthetic user with the ability to adjust the tightness fit of the socket.

The adjustable retention means may incorporate comfort padding to overlie the posterior proximal edge cutaway of the stump socket.

In the accompanying single sheet of drawings, Figure 1 a illustrates an adjustable fastening comfort sock for use with a prosthetic stump socket adapted for size adjustment; Figure lb illustrates an adjustable fastening comfort sock for use with a prosthetic stump socket adapted for size adjustment (opposite handedness) Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a prosthetic stump socket adapted for size adjustment by having a cutaway slot extending longitudinally from the posterior proximal edge; and Figure 3 shows the rear view of the prosthetic socket shown in Figure 2.

Referring to the figures, there is illustrated an adjustable retention means 1 for use with a prosthetic socket 4 having a profiled proximal edge 6, and a distal edge 7, said adjustable retention means comprising a length of flexible material 2 having at respective ends thereof releasable fastening means 3, 3' and a flap 5 adapted to overlie the "handedness" rising profile of the proximal edge 6. The socket is adapted to adjust fitment around the proximal edge 6, by provision of a cutaway slot S extending longitudinally of the socket.

In use, the socket is located over the stump and the adjustable retention means is wrapped around the socket towards the proximal edge 6, and fastened using the releasable fastening means to provide a tight comfortable fit around the stump.

A lower leg prosthesis (not shown) is attached in a manner known per se.

Claims

Claims 1. An adjustable retention means for use with a prosthetic

socket adapted for size adjustment, said adjustable retention means comprising a length of flexible material having at respective ends thereof releasable fastening means, whereby the fastening means can be secured around a prosthetic socket for comfortable secure fit upon an upper leg stump.

2. Adjustable retention means as claimed in claim 1, of sufficient length to wrap around at least an upper (proximal) edge portion of a prosthetic socket.

3. Adjustable retention means as claimed in claim 1, or claim 2 wherein the releasable fastening comprises cooperating portions of hook and loop fastening of the Velcro type positioned upon the length of material so as to be fastened by overlying parts of said length.

4. Adjustable retention means as claimed in claim 1, or claim 2, wherein the releasable fastening comprises any of suitably positioned snap stud fasteners, strap and buckle, eyelet and lacing which may be releasably tied and knotted, or the like releasable fasteners alone or in combination to provide a prosthetic user with the ability to adjust the tightness fit of a socket to which the adjustable retention means is applied in use.

5. Adjustable retention means as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising comfort padding arranged to overlie the proximal edge of a stump socket when the adjustable retention means is applied in use.

6. An article for use by a person who has had a lower leg amputation and has the ability to end bear on the upper leg stump, the article comprising a socket adapted for size adjustment and fitment over the stump, having proximal and distal edge portions, wherein the proximal edge portion is of variable size, and there is provided adjustable retention means for loosening or tightening the fitmerit of the proximal edge, said adjustable retention means including a releasable fastening.

7. An article as claimed in claim 6, wherein the socket is formed such that it is partially cutaway to remove at least a posterior proximal edge portion of the socket.

8. An article as claimed in claim 6, wherein the socket is formed with a notch or gap in the posterior proximal edge portion.

9. An article as claimed in claim 6, wherein the socket comprises a tubular form with a longitudinal slot to allow the form to be expanded or contracted in size to accommodate variance in internal volume.

10. An article as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9. wherein the adjustable retention means comprises adjustable retention means having a releasable fastening controllable by the wearer of the prosthesis to apply appropriate adjustment.

11. An article as claimed in claim 10, wherein the adjustable retention means for use the socket comprises a length of flexible material configured to be applied to the socket to circumvent at least the proximal edge, said length of flexible material having limited lengthwise stretch to constrain the proximal edge portion in a desired position and provide a desired degree of comfortable and functional fit of the socket to the stump.

12. An article as claimed in any one of claims 61o 11, wherein the releasable fastening comprises fastening means selected from the group consisting of cooperating portions of hook and loop fastening of the Velcro type positioned upon the length of material so as to be fastenable by overlying parts of said length; suitably positioned snap stud fasteners, strap and buckle, eyelet and lacing which may be releasably tied and knotted, to adjust the tightness fit of the socket in use.

13. An article as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 12 comprising comfort padding configured to overlie at least a portion of the proximal edge.

14. An article as claimed in claim 13, wherein the socket has a posterior cutaway, gap, notch or slot, and the comfort padding is configured to overlie said posterior cutaway, gap, notch or slot.

15. A prosthesis for use by a person having a lower leg amputation and retaining the ability to end bear on the upper leg stump, comprising a socket adapted to fit over the stump, having proximal and distal edge portions, wherein the proximal edge portion is of variable size, and there is provided adjustable retention means for loosening or tightening the fitment of the proximal edge, said adjustable retention means including a releasable fastening, and means for attachment of the lower leg prosthesis at the distal edge.