How to choose the connector of the prosthesis?

We all know that a prosthesis is composed of a socket, a connector, and a simulation component. The naming of the materials here is sometimes confusing. Some amputee friends feel that they are particularly tall and expensive when they hear about carbon fiber. In fact, many times, it is not as we imagined. Let's take a look at the selection of these connectors.

About the material

The main materials of these connecting parts are nothing more than the following:

Stainless steel (sometimes called alloy steel);

Space aluminum (in fact, aluminum alloy);

Titanium alloy

carbon fiber;

In fact, except for the socket and the tube of the socket, the others are basically two materials or a combination of multiple materials.

stainless steel

It is mainly used on the connecting plate of the receiving cavity, such as four-claw, three-jaw connecting plate and the like, and of course pipe joints. The ankle of the low-end movable ankle foot is also stainless steel. This kind Adjustable Connection Plate of material is the most economical material. It is cheap and has good performance. The only drawback may be the relatively large weight.

Aluminum alloy

Mainly appear on tube clamp adapter parts, such as prosthesis connecting tube parts and joint parts. Aluminum alloy tubes are the most common.

Titanium alloy

It is widely used in middle and high-end prostheses. All stainless steel parts are available in titanium alloy versions, and are 30%-40% lighter than stainless steel. Do not underestimate this 30%. If all connecting parts are made of titanium alloy, the weight can be It is reduced by about 300-500 grams, and it will be lighter when applied to the thigh prosthesis. The accessories of this material are much more expensive than stainless steel, but the performance exceeds that of stainless steel, and it is strong and used. But sometimes the market price is three or four times worse than that of stainless steel.

carbon fiber

This kind of material mainly appears in the "tube" in the connection fittings. Why do I add quotation marks, because all the carbon fiber tubes and joints are made of other materials, such as titanium alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum alloy. This carbon fiber tube is lighter than aluminum alloy, and it is unusually hard. It is a very ideal prosthetic connecting pipe. If patients can accept the price given, they should choose this tube.

how to choose

The combinations I often use are as follows, please take them away if necessary, thanks.

1. If the patient is a family with not very wealthy conditions and does not have the ultimate pursuit of weight, I will recommend a full set of stainless steel accessories, which are cheap and practical, with a little heavier weight, but it is good for the patient to maintain muscle strength. Look at everything from both sides.

Stainless steel Male Four Jaws plate + aluminum alloy integrated tube(stainless steel joint) + stainless steel tube clamp adapter

The choice that requires the least brainstorming is also the choice that cannot be wrong;

2. If the patient has weight requirements and the price tolerance is limited, I would recommend the following collocations.

Stainless steel connecting plate + all aluminum alloy integrated tube + aluminum alloy tube clamp adapter

Because the tube is made of aluminum as a whole, and the pipe joints are also made of aluminum, it can save a lot of weight and is not expensive. Why use stainless steel for the connecting plate? Because the connecting plate is male, the aluminum alloy has poor wear resistance, and the overall mechanical properties of stainless steel are still more reliable.

3. If the patient has requirements for weight, he can afford it to a certain extent. I would recommend all-titanium, because although titanium is not as light as aluminum alloy, its overall performance surpasses that of stainless steel, and its greatest advantage is its durability and durability.

Titanium alloy connecting plate + aluminum alloy integrated tube (titanium pipe joint) + titanium alloy tube clamp adapter

This kind of combination is the most stable, long-lasting, and of course the price is the most expensive.

Fourth, if you meet the extreme pursuit of light weight, use the following connectors.

Titanium alloy connecting plate + all-aluminum integrated pipe + aluminum alloy pipe joint

To be lighter, then all aluminum + male head piece all titanium.

Doubts:

The integrated pipe refers to a part that combines the pipe and the pipe joint. The material of the pipe is usually aluminum or carbon fiber, and the material of the joint is divided into stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and titanium alloy, but no joint is made of carbon fiber of. Therefore, it is generally told that the joint part of the "aluminum alloy integrated pipe" may have these three different materials.

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