Abstract:
A cosmesis including a thigh component and a shin component that fit over a prosthetic knee joint. The thigh component and shin component are pivotally joined along an axis of rotation coinciding with that of the prosthetic knee joint. The thigh component and shin component can include internal contours molded into their inside walls to seat the prosthetic knee joint securely therein. The knee ball region of the thigh component can be made relatively thicker to provide a protective cushion and allow the patient to kneel. Additionally, a floating knee cap can be fit over the knee ball area. The upper end of the thigh component can be made of sufficiently thin material to permit rolling onto itself.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 11/314,962, filed Dec. 21, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,438,725, which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This invention relates to prosthetic devices, and specifically to a cosmesis for covering a prosthetic knee joint. 
         [0003]    Prosthetic devices, such as prosthetic limbs, can be fitted with a cosmetic covering, sometimes called a cosmesis, that is designed to approximate the visual appearance of a human limb. One technique for fabricating such a cosmesis contemplates an encapsulation of the endoskeletal components of the prosthetic limb with a matrix substance (i.e. rigid foam) formed from a liquid resin containing a blowing agent which by/through application and control of appropriate conditions creates a foamed-in-place matrix, mass, or body, which is thereafter processed (i.e. milled and/or ground) by appropriate tooling and finishing to approximate the appearance/contour of the limb replaced. In a variant approach, a form or enclosure is positioned about the endoskeletal components as to define a cavity; and thence, there is introduced thereto, a volume of liquid resin containing a suitable blowing agent. Thereafter heat and/or pressure is applied to convert same to a cellular matrix which is hopefully of lower weight. 
         [0004]    A cosmesis made in this manner has a drawback that the foam-in-place material must be usually destroyed if the endoskeletal components, which may include hydraulic units, control units, sockets, interconnection components, etc., require adjustment, replacement, and/or service in any respect. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for a cosmesis that is easier to implement and is applied in such a way that permits access to the internal prosthetic device components without need for destructive removal. The present invention addresses this need as well as many other needs as will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a cosmesis including a thigh component and a shin component that fit over a prosthetic knee joint. The thigh component and shin component are pivotally joined along an axis of rotation coinciding with that of the prosthetic knee joint. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, it is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a cosmesis for use with a prosthetic knee including: a substantially tubular thigh component made of a rubber-like material and having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end resembling at least a lower portion of a human thigh, the lower end comprising a knee-ball section adapted to receive a proximal segment of an endoskeletal knee chassis; and a substantially tubular shin component made of a rubber-like material and having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end adapted to receive a distal segment of the endoskeletal knee chassis; where the thigh component and the shin component are adapted to be pivotally joined along an axis of rotation that coincides with the axis of rotation of the endoskeletal knee chassis. In detailed embodiments, the thigh component and shin component can be adapted to hold the proximal or distal segment of the endoskeletal knee chassis securely therein, which can be accomplished using internal contours, molded integrally within the thigh or shin component, having a shape that is adapted to fit securely against at least a portion of the surface of the proximal or distal segment of the endoskeletal knee chassis. 
         [0008]    In an alternative detailed embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the knee-ball section of the thigh component is relatively thicker than the upper end of the thigh component and includes a rounded bottom end. In another alternative detailed embodiment, the thigh component and the shin component are made of flexible urethane. In another alternative detailed embodiment, the thigh component is adapted to be joined to, and removed from, the proximal segment of the endoskeletal knee chassis manually by a user; and the shin component is adapted to be joined to, and removed from, the distal segment of the endoskeletal knee chassis manually by a user. In another alternative detailed embodiment, the upper end of the thigh component is adapted to be rolled onto itself such that the upper end can be rolled down approximate the location where it joins the lower end, and can be thereafter rolled up about a proximal prosthetic limb component and/or patient&#39;s residual limb. 
         [0009]    In another alternative detailed embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the cosmesis further includes: a floating knee cap component; a first attachment section, a first end of which is joined to the floating knee cap component and a second end of which is joined to the shin component at a fixed point; and a second attachment section, a first end of which is joined to the floating knee cap component and a second end of which is joined to the thigh component at a variable point; where the thigh component can rotate with respect to the shin component. In a more detailed embodiment, the variable point includes a slider joined to the second attachment section, the slider being adapted to slide longitudinally along a slot in the thigh component. In an another more detailed embodiment, the floating knee cap component is made of flexible urethane. 
         [0010]    It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a prosthetic knee joint including: an endoskeletal knee chassis having a proximal segment and a distal segment, the proximal and distal segments being pivotally joined along an axis of rotation; a substantially tubular thigh cosmesis component having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end comprising a knee-ball section seating the proximal segment of the endoskeletal knee chassis; and a substantially tubular shin cosmesis component seating the distal segment of the endoskeletal knee chassis; where the thigh cosmesis component and the shin cosmesis component are pivotally joined along an axis of rotation that coincides with the axis of rotation of the endoskeletal knee chassis. In detailed embodiments, the shin cosmesis component and the thigh cosmesis component are formed from a semi-rigid material, which can be flexible urethane. The semi-rigid material can be colored as a skin-tone color. Additionally, the second aspect of the present invention may be practiced with any of the features or embodiments, or any combination thereof, described above with reference to the first aspect. 
         [0011]    These and other aspects and embodiments will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view showing the prosthetic knee joint  10  and a two-part cosmesis, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows the knee joint inserted into the cosmesis, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows the knee joint and cosmesis in a bent position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a top plan view of the thigh component of the cosmesis, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show the cosmesis with a floating knee cap, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows the upper lateral surface of the thigh component rolled onto itself to allow easier application to a patient&#39;s residual limb, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]    The exemplary embodiments of present invention provide a cosmesis for a prosthetic knee joint. In an exemplary embodiment, the prosthetic knee joint has the form described in co-pending U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2004/0059433, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. But it will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art that other types of prosthetic knee joints can be used as well. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view showing the prosthetic knee joint  10  and a two-part cosmesis, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The cosmesis generally includes a tubular or conical thigh component  12  and a tubular shin component  14 . The knee joint  10  (also called an endoskeletal knee chassis) includes a proximal segment  16  and a distal segment  18 . The proximal segment  16  is pivotally coupled to the distal segment  18  by a hinge assembly  20 . The proximal segment  16  includes posterior projections  22  having holes  24  extending therethrough by which a hydraulic or pneumatic piston assembly (not shown) for operating the knee joint may be coupled. The cosmesis&#39;s thigh component  12  has lateral side holes  42 , and the cosmesis&#39;s shin component  14  has complementary lateral side holes  44 , which will be used to join the thigh component  12  and the shin component  14  together by a hinge such that they can rotate about the axis defined by the holes. 
         [0020]    In an exemplary embodiment, the thigh component  12  and the shin component  14  of the cosmesis are made of a semi-rigid material such as flexible urethane, but the cosmesis can be made of other suitable materials known to persons skilled in the art, such as flexible silicone. The materials can be colored or painted, for example, in various skin tone colors to resemble the patient&#39;s skin tone. The thigh component  12  generally includes a relatively thinner and more resilient proximal thigh region  52  and a relatively thicker and more rigid distal knee ball region.  50 . The relatively hard and somewhat semispherical knee ball region  50  can be made of thicker rubber to allow for seating of the knee joint  10  therein, and to provide a cushioned weight-bearing surface for the knee, as explained below. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the proximal segment  16  of the knee joint  10  is received through a distal posterior opening  51  in the cosmesis&#39;s thigh component  12 , while the distal segment  18  of the knee joint  10  is received through a proximal opening  53  in the cosmesis&#39;s shin component  14 . The inside surfaces of the cosmesis can be molded to provide seats for the components of the knee joint  10  when it is inserted into the cosmesis. For example, the two tooth-like protrusions  28  near the bottom of the thigh component  12  and extending into the opening  51  provide a seat on which the posterior projections  22  of the proximal segment  16  of the knee joint  10  will rest when inserted into the thigh component  12 . A shelf-like seat  30  is molded into the opposite (front side) wall of the thigh component  12 , and the front face  26  of the proximal segment  16  will be seated against this seat  30 .  FIG. 4 , which is a top plan view of the thigh component  12 , shows these molded protrusions  28  and shelf-like seat  30  more clearly. Two grooves  32  in the bottom of the thigh component  12  allow the parallel longitudinal shin bars  33  of the distal segment  18  of the knee joint  10  to extend downward from the thigh component  12 . 
         [0022]    In addition to seating the proximal segment  16  inside the cosmesis&#39;s thigh component  12 , this design allows the knee joint  10  to be easily inserted into and removed from the cosmesis. In the exemplary embodiment, by rotating the knee joint approximately 90 degrees, the front face  26  of the proximal segment  16  can be inserted through the opening  51  into the cosmesis&#39;s thigh component  12  such that it passes above the tooth-like protrusions  28 . Meanwhile, the bars  33  of the knee joint&#39;s distal segment  18  slide into the grooves  32  in the bottom of the cosmesis&#39;s thigh component  12 , with the tooth-like protrusions  28  passing between the bars  33  of the distal segment  18 . Once the proximal segment  16  has been seated within the cosmesis&#39;s thigh component  12 , with its posterior projections  22  seated snugly against the tooth-like protrusions  28  and its front face  26  snugly seated against the seat  30 , the knee joint can be rotated into its extended position so the distal segment  18  extends downward. 
         [0023]    In the exemplary embodiment, the shin component  14  of the cosmesis also has shelf-like seats  80  molded into opposing sides to provide a seat to hold the bottom end  19  of the distal segment  18  in place when the cosmesis&#39;s shin component  14  is inserted over the distal segment  18  of the knee joint  10 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  shows the knee joint  10  inserted into the thigh component  12  and the shin component  14  of the cosmesis. The proximal segment  16  of the knee joint  10  is seated in the molded seating areas in the cosmesis&#39;s thigh component  12 , and the distal segment  18  of the knee joint  10  is seated in the molded seating areas in the cosmesis&#39;s shin component  14 , as explained above. This ensures that the cosmesis&#39;s thigh component  12  remains secured relative to the proximal segment  16  and the cosmesis&#39;s shin component  14  remains secured relative to the distal segment  18 . The thigh component  12  and shin component  14  are pivotally joined using a bolt or other axial hinge member to join each of the thigh component&#39;s holes  42  with one of the shin component&#39;s holes  44 . The axis defined by the holes  42  and  44  and the axial members used to join them coincides with the axis defined by the hinge  20  of the knee joint  10 . This common axis of rotation allows the cosmesis&#39;s thigh component  12  and shin component  14  to remain joined and to remain secured to the knee joint  10  as the knee joint rotates about its hinge  20 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows the knee joint in a bent position as would allow the patient to kneel. The entire assembly has rotated about the axis defined by the hinge  20  of the knee joint  10  and the holes  42  and  44  of the cosmesis. In this kneeling position, where the lower leg (as represented by the distal segment  18  of the knee joint  10  and the cosmesis&#39;s shin component  14 ) is approximately parallel to the ground, the patient&#39;s body weight is supported by the substantially hard and somewhat semispherical distal end dome  40  of the knee ball region  50 . In the exemplary embodiment, this knee ball region  50  of the cosmesis&#39;s thigh component  12  is made to be thicker than the proximal thigh portion  52  of the thigh component  12  to provide more hardness and force-bearing capability. In the exemplary embodiment, the rubber-like material of the knee ball region  50  is solid from the top surfaces of the tooth-like projections  28  and seat  30  to the bottom end of the dome  40  (of course, with the exception of the channels  32  and other mounting expedients). This enables the patient to kneel using the prosthetic device, and the cosmesis provides a cushion for the knee joint  10  to allow it to more reliably bear the weight that the patient puts on it when kneeling. 
         [0026]    As will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art, this embodiment provides a relatively modular knee cosmesis for a prosthetic limb with relatively simple donning and doffing capabilities. Thus, if adjustments are necessary for the endoskeletal prosthetic limb components, the cosmesis can be easily removed and reapplied before and after such adjustments. Additionally, the use of a semi-rigid material allows the cosmesis to be pre-fabricated to generic specifications that will give it a size and shape suitable for a majority of patients, thereby permitting faster and more efficient fabrication, as compared to other cosmesis designs. 
         [0027]    In an alternate exemplary embodiment, a relatively hard floating knee cap can be joined to the cosmesis at the knee, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The knee cap  60  is joined by a first attachment section  64  to the cosmesis&#39;s shin component  14  at point  62 . The attachment section  64  can be made of a semi-rigid material such as flexible urethane, and it can be molded integrally with the knee cap  60 . Alternatively, the attachment section  64  can be made of other suitable materials known to persons skilled in the art, such as rubber or a fabric material such as nylon having elastic threads woven therein. The knee cap is joined by a second attachment section  68 , which can be formed in the same manner as the first attachment section  64 , to the cosmesis&#39;s thigh component  12  at point  66 . The attachment point  66  can be implemented using a sliding piece that can slide along a track or slot  70  in the surface of the thigh component  12 . This sliding capability of the upper attachment point  66  allows the knee cap  60  to “float” with respect to the thigh component  12  as the knee joint is bent, as seen in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  shows the knee in a bent or kneeling position, with the knee cap  60  in a substantially horizontal position adapted to bear the patient&#39;s weight in the kneeling position, as in a human knee. The slidable upper attachment point  66  is now located near the bottom end of the track  70  in the cosmesis&#39;s thigh component  12 , resulting from the increased distance along the thigh component  12  when the knee joint is rotated. Alternatively, if the second attachment section  68  is made of rubber or other material capable of stretching, the upper attachment point  66  can be fixed relative to the cosmesis&#39;s thigh component  12 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows an embodiment in which the cosmesis&#39;s thigh component  12  has a rollable sheath construction that allows for easier application to the patient&#39;s residual limb. The knee ball region  50  is made of a relatively thick rubber-like material and has a relatively hard consistency, as described above. The proximal thigh portion  52  can be made sufficiently thin that it can be rolled onto itself, as shown in  FIG. 7 . This configuration allows the patient&#39;s residual limb to be inserted into the thigh component  12  more easily. After the patient&#39;s residual limb has been inserted into the thigh component  12  and attached to the proximal segment  16  of the knee joint  18  residing therein, the proximal thigh portion  52  can be unrolled onto the patient&#39;s residual limb (or onto the hard outer socket of the prosthetic limb into which the residual limb is received). 
         [0029]    Having described the invention with reference to embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims, and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the meanings of the claims unless such limitations or elements are explicitly listed in the claims. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.