Temporary walking aid for use after lower leg amputations

Abstract

Abstract A prosthesis for an amputated lower leg consisting of an upper part attachable to the remaining lower leg stump, this upper part being attached to an under part provided with an artificial foot. The upper part has a cup-shaped bottom portion which at a number of places along its circumference merges into upwardly directed flexible strips of such lengths that when the leg stump is placed between them they extend up along the leg stump and thigh, the bottom portion and strips forming a holder fitting, with an approximately predetermined and relatively large play, around the bandaged leg stump itself so that this play can be filled with a supporting structure around the leg stump. This structure takes the form of an envelope or cushion containing a large number of small plastic balls, said cushion being airtight but connectable to the surrounding atmosphere by a closable hose or the like, whereby the cushion, formless in an air-filled condition, can be placed round the leg stump and thigh, and formed to fit in the holder before the cushion is evacuated to form a relatively rigid shell, whereafter it is intended to clamp fast the flexible strips against the rigid shell by at least one tension band which is tightened around the strip, at least in the area about the thigh.

Inventors

• 👤 Gunnar Marsh
• 👤 Ole Henrikssen
• 👤 Urban C. S. Sjoblum

Bibliographic Details