Devices and methods for bone stabilization

Abstract

A compression stabilized prosthetic socket for a patient having an amputated limb and a remaining portion includes a first socket portion for contacting a patient's remaining portion of a limb, and a second socket portion for attachment of a prosthetic device. The first socket portion has compression portions having a radius for compressing portions of the patient's remaining portion of a limb, and relief portions receiving any portions of the patient's remaining limb which bulge upon the compression applied by the compression portions. The relief portions may be formed as openings or as enlarged radius portions.

1 . A prosthetic device for use by a patient having a limb that has been amputated and that has a longitudinal axis, wherein the prosthetic device comprises:
 a first portion configured for placement on the limb and having a plurality of compression portions and a plurality of relief portions,   wherein each of the plurality of compression portions is comprised of a strut,   wherein each of the plurality of relief portions is a window disposed between two of the struts,   wherein each of the plurality of compression portions is configured to compress a portion of the limb thereby causing excess portions of the limb to flow outwardly at the plurality of relief portions, so that the excess portions of the limb bulge outwardly without restriction through the windows and beyond the first portion of the prosthetic device,   wherein the plurality of compression portions is disposed circumferentially around the limb when the first portion of the prosthetic device is placed on the limb, and   wherein each of the plurality of compression portions has a generally longitudinal shape and is disposed longitudinally along a direction of the longitudinal axis of the limb when the first portion of the prosthetic device is placed on the limb.   
     
     
         2 . The prosthetic device of  claim 1  wherein the limb has an outer circumference along an outer surface of the limb and has an at-rest radius measured from a central longitudinal axis of the limb, and wherein each of the plurality of compression portions is further configured to compress the portion of the limb so that the outer circumference of the limb is compressed to a radius that is reduced by at least thirty percent from the at-rest radius of the limb and no more than seventy percent from the at-rest radius. 
     
     
         3 . The prosthetic device of  claim 1  wherein each strut is constructed of a material that includes an acrylic laminate. 
     
     
         4 . The prosthetic device of  claim 1  wherein each strut is constructed of a material that includes an acrylic laminate with a stiffening member constructed of one of carbon fiber and para-aramid synthetic fiber. 
     
     
         5 . The prosthetic device of  claim 1  wherein the limb further has a longest bone having a length, and wherein each of the plurality of compression portions extends for a length that is approximately equal to the length of the longest bone. 
     
     
         6 . The prosthetic device of  claim 1  wherein the limb further has a longest bone having a length, and wherein each of the plurality of compression portions extends for a length that is no less than approximately 80% of the length of the longest bone. 
     
     
         7 . The prosthetic device of  claim 1  wherein the prosthetic device is further for use with a flexible membrane configured to encapsulate at least a portion of the limb of the patient, wherein the first portion of the prosthetic device is further configured for placement over the flexible membrane and on the limb when the at least the portion of the limb is encapsulated by the flexible membrane, and wherein portions of the flexible membrane are configured to bulge outwardly through the windows along with the excess portions of the limb in response to the compressing of the portions of the limb. 
     
     
         8 . A prosthetic device for use by a patient having a limb that has been amputated and that has a longitudinal axis, wherein the prosthetic device comprises:
 an enclosure portion configured for placement on the limb and having a plurality of compression portions and a plurality of relief portions,   wherein the plurality of compression portions and the plurality of relief portions form at least a portion of an inner wall of the enclosure portion, wherein the inner wall is configured for encapsulating at least a portion of the limb when the enclosure portion is placed on the limb;   wherein each of the plurality of compression portions is configured to compress a portion of the limb thereby causing excess portions of the limb to flow outwardly and into the plurality of relief portions, so that the excess portions of the limb flow outwardly with essentially no restriction away from the plurality of compression portions,   wherein the plurality of compression portions is disposed circumferentially around the limb when the enclosure portion of the prosthetic device is on the limb,   wherein each of the plurality of compression portions has a generally longitudinal shape and is disposed longitudinally along a direction of the longitudinal axis of the limb when the enclosure portion of the prosthetic device is on the limb, and   wherein each of the plurality of relief portions has a generally longitudinal shape, is disposed between two of the compression portions, and is disposed longitudinally along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the limb when the enclosure portion of the prosthetic device is on the limb.   
     
     
         9 . The prosthetic device of  claim 8  wherein the limb further has a longest bone having a length, and wherein each of the plurality of compression portions extends for a length that is approximately equal to the length of the longest bone. 
     
     
         10 . The prosthetic device of  claim 8  wherein the limb further has a longest bone having a length, and wherein each of the plurality of compression portions extends for a length that is no less than approximately 80% of the length of the longest bone. 
     
     
         11 . The prosthetic device of  claim 8  wherein the limb further has an outer circumference along an outer surface of the limb and has an at-rest radius measured from a central longitudinal axis of the limb, and wherein each of the plurality of compression portions is further configured to compress the portion of the limb so that the outer circumference of the limb is compressed to a radius that is reduced by at least thirty percent from the at-rest radius of the limb and no more than seventy percent from the at-rest radius. 
     
     
         12 . A method for using a prosthetic device comprising:
 placing an enclosure portion of the prosthetic device on a limb of a patient, wherein the limb has been amputated and has a longitudinal axis,
 wherein the enclosure portion has a plurality of compression portions and a plurality of relief portions, and 
 wherein the plurality of compression portions and the plurality of relief portions form at least a portion of an inner wall of the enclosure portion, wherein the inner wall is configured for encapsulating at least a portion of the limb when the enclosure portion is placed on the limb; 
   compressing portions of the limb using the plurality of compression portions; and   causing excess portions of the limb to flow outwardly and into the plurality of relief portions, so that the excess portions of the limb flow outwardly with essentially no restriction away from the plurality of compression portions,
 wherein the plurality of compression portions is disposed circumferentially around the limb when the enclosure portion of the prosthetic device is on the limb, 
 wherein each of the plurality of compression portions has a generally longitudinal shape and is disposed longitudinally along a direction of the longitudinal axis of the limb when the enclosure portion of the prosthetic device is on the limb, and 
 wherein each of the plurality of relief portions has a generally longitudinal shape, is disposed between two of the compression portions, and is disposed longitudinally along a direction of the longitudinal axis of the limb when the enclosure portion of the prosthetic device is on the limb. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the limb further has a longest bone having a length, and wherein each of the plurality of compression portions extends for a length that is approximately equal to the length of the longest bone. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the limb further has a longest bone having a length, and wherein each of the plurality of compression portions extends for a length that is no less than approximately 80% of the length of the longest bone. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the limb further has an outer circumference along an outer surface of the limb and has an at-rest radius measured from a central longitudinal axis of the limb, and wherein the compressing of the portions of the limb includes compressing the portions of the limb so that the outer circumference of the limb is compressed to a radius that is reduced by at least thirty percent from the at-rest radius of the limb and no more than seventy percent from the at-rest radius. 
     
     
         16 . A prosthetic device for use by a patient having a limb that has been amputated, wherein the limb has a longitudinal axis and has a bone generally extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the prosthetic device comprises:
 means for reducing relative movement of the bone in relation to the prosthetic device when the prosthetic device is disposed on the limb and when the patient moves the limb;   wherein the means for reducing the relative movement includes a plurality of compression portions and a plurality of relief portions;   wherein each of the plurality of compression portions has a generally longitudinal shape and is disposed longitudinally along a direction of the longitudinal axis of the limb when the prosthetic device is disposed on the limb, and   wherein each of the plurality of relief portions has a generally longitudinal shape, is disposed between two of the compression portions, and is disposed longitudinally along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the limb when the prosthetic device is disposed on the limb.   
     
     
         17 . The prosthetic device of  claim 16  wherein the bone of the limb has a length and is a longest bone of the limb, and wherein each of the plurality of compression portions extends for a length that is approximately equal to the length of the bone. 
     
     
         18 . The prosthetic device of  claim 16  wherein the bone of the limb has a length and is a longest bone of the limb, and wherein each of the plurality of compression portions extends for a length that is no less than approximately 80% of the length of the bone.