Magnetic electrical connector for assistive devices

{
  "publication_number": "US9744056B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Magnetic electrical connector for assistive devices",
  "abstract": "A magnetic and electrical interface that may be used with an assistive device. The interface comprises a proximal connector and a distal connector. The proximal connector may be attached to a liner for a residual limb and the distal connector may be attached to a hard socket or other aspect of an assistive device. Other aspects of and uses for the connector interface are also disclosed.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A system for attaching an assistive device to a limb, the system comprising: a. a liner having an opening for insertion of a limb; b. a proximal connector attached to the liner, the proximal connector having a distal planar surface; c. a plurality of proximal magnets arranged on the proximal connector at the distal planar surface of the proximal connector; d. a distal connector having a proximal planar surface; e. a plurality of distal magnets arranged on the distal connector at the proximal planar surface of the distal connector; and f. a plurality of compliance components configured for compliance under load; wherein each of the compliance components is fitted behind one of the proximal magnets or behind one of the distal magnets such that a proximal or distal magnet is located between each compliance component and a respective planar connector surface; and wherein at least one signal that is representative of one or more electromyography signals can be transmitted between the proximal connector and the distal connector via at least one of the plurality of the proximal magnets and at least one of the plurality of distal magnets when the proximal connector and the distal connector are magnetically attached.",
    "2. The system of 1, wherein the plurality of proximal magnets are configured in an alternating polarity on the proximal connector and the plurality of distal magnets are configured in an alternating polarity on the distal connector.",
    "3. The system of claim 1, wherein the proximal connector allows for at least partial enclosure of a circuit board.",
    "4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a circuit board for conversion of the one or more electromyography signals.",
    "5. The system of claim 1, wherein a magnetic force produced by the attraction of one of the plurality of proximal magnets and one of the plurality of distal magnets is at least 20 N of force.",
    "6. The system of claim 1, wherein proximal connector has a diameter no greater than about 2.5 inches.",
    "7. The system of claim 1, wherein the proximal connector has a diameter greater than about 2.5 inches and not greater than about 5 inches.",
    "8. The system of claim 1, wherein the proximal connector and the distal connector are each mechanically sized so that a gap exists between the interior of one of said connectors and the exterior of the other of said connectors when the proximal connector and the distal connector are magnetically attached.",
    "9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least two signals that are representative of one or more electromyography signals can be transmitted between the proximal connector and the distal connector via at least two of the plurality of the proximal magnets and at least two of the plurality of distal magnets when the proximal connector and the distal connector are magnetically attached.",
    "10. The system of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises a gel liner.",
    "11. The system of claim 1, wherein the proximal planar surface of the distal connector is rotatable about a cylindrical axis of the distal connector.",
    "12. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal planar surface of the proximal connector and the proximal planar surface of the distal connector permit rotation between the distal connector and the proximal connector.",
    "13. The system of claim 1, wherein: the proximal connector and the distal connector are magnetically attached when the proximal magnets and the distal magnets are in contact and aligned; the proximal magnets and the distal magnets are configured to exert a first attractive force when the proximal magnets and the distal magnets are in contact and aligned, the distal connector is rotatable with respect to the proximal connector to reduce the attractive force exerted between the proximal magnets and the distal magnets to facilitate removal of the distal connector from the proximal connector; and the proximal magnets and the proximal connector form the distal planar surface of the proximal connector and the distal magnets and the distal connector form the proximal planar surface of the distal connector, and the planar surfaces are in contact when the proximal magnets and the distal magnets are in contact and aligned.",
    "14. A system for attaching an assistive device to a limb, the system comprising: a. a liner, having an opening for the insertion of a limb; b. a proximal connector attached to the liner, the proximal connector comprising a proximal housing; c. a plurality of proximal magnets arranged on the proximal housing; d. a distal connector comprising a distal housing, wherein the distal housing and the proximal housing are each tapered; and e. a plurality of distal magnets arranged on the distal housing; wherein at least one signal that is representative of one or more electromyography signals can be transmitted between the proximal connector and the distal connector via at least one of the plurality of the proximal magnets and at least one of the plurality of distal magnets when the proximal connector and the distal connector are magnetically attached.",
    "15. The system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of proximal magnets are configured in an alternating polarity on the proximal housing and the plurality of distal magnets are configured in an alternating polarity on the distal housing.",
    "16. The system of claim 14, wherein the proximal housing allows for at least partial enclosure of a circuit board.",
    "17. The system of claim 14, wherein a magnetic force produced by the attraction of one of the plurality of proximal magnets and one of the plurality of distal magnets is at least 20 N of force.",
    "18. The system of claim 14, wherein the proximal connector has a diameter not greater than about 2.5 inches.",
    "19. The system of claim 14, wherein the proximal connector has a diameter greater than about 2.5 inches and not greater than about 5 inches.",
    "20. The system of claim 14, further comprising a circuit board for conversion of the one or more electromyography signals.",
    "21. The system of claim 14, wherein the proximal housing and the distal housing are each mechanically sized so that a gap exists between the interior of one of said housings and the exterior of the other of said housings when the proximal connector and the distal connector are magnetically attached.",
    "22. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least two signals that are representative of one or more electromyography signals can be transmitted between the proximal connector and the distal connector via at least two of the plurality of the proximal magnets and at least two of the plurality of distal magnets when the proximal connector and the distal connector are magnetically attached.",
    "23. The system of claim 14, wherein the liner comprises a gel liner.",
    "24. The system of claim 14, wherein the distal connector has a proximal face and the plurality of distal magnets are arranged on the proximal face of the distal connector.",
    "25. The system of claim 24, wherein the proximal face of the distal connector is rotatable about a cylindrical axis of the distal connector."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "[Not Applicable]\n\n[Not Applicable]\n\nThe document relates generally to the field of prosthetic devices, and in particular, to the magnetic and electrical connection of different components of prosthetic devices.\n\nIn the field of prosthetics and orthotics, artificial limbs can be used by people who have lost an arm, leg, hand or other portion of a limb. A person who is born without a limb, or who has lost a limb due to accident or disease, may use an artificial limb to perform tasks and activities of a human limb. Amputees may retain a portion of a limb known as a “residual limb.” A prosthetist can create a plaster mold of the residual limb and use this mold to create a custom “hard socket” that is worn by the amputee. The prosthetist generally attaches the custom hard socket to the artificial limb using laminate or other means in the art at the distal end of the hard socket. The hard socket and the artificial limb are connected to make up a single piece of equipment. A prosthesis, orthosis, or exoskeleton is known as an “assistive device.”\n\nAn amputee may put on (or “don”) a prosthetic liner before donning the hard socket. A prosthetic liner fits in a hard socket like a sock fits in a shoe. The liner helps maintain a proper fit of the residual limb in the hard socket, reduces pressure points, reduces skin irritation and provides additional benefits. As such, for proper support of the artificial limb, the liner must fit well and be secured within the hard socket. Thus, a user of an artificial limb needs a way to easily attach and detach the hard socket/artificial limb component from the liner.",
  "cpc": [
    "A61F 2/80",
    "A61B 5/04888",
    "A61B 5/0492",
    "A61B 5/296",
    "A61F 2/72",
    "A61F 2/76",
    "A61F 2/7812",
    "A61F 2002/5007",
    "A61F 2002/5072",
    "A61F 2002/5083",
    "A61F 2002/5089",
    "A61F 2002/6863",
    "A61F 2002/7875",
    "A61F 2002/7887",
    "A61F 2220/0008"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A61F 2/80",
    "A61F 2/76",
    "A61F 2/78"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Todd Kuiken",
    "Timothy Reissman",
    "Elizabeth Halsne",
    "Robert Lipschutz"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2014-08-06",
  "publication_date": "2017-08-29",
  "grant_date": "2017-08-29",
  "priority_date": "2014-08-06",
  "application_number": "US-201414453278-A",
  "family_id": "55264457",
  "cited_by_count": 11,
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}