Tracy C Slemker from 6467 Burkwood Dr, Englewood, OH 45315, age 64, Phone: (937) 854-4403

Modular Distal Plate For Rapid Manufacturing Of A Prosthetic Limb Socket

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US Patent:

6358453, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Apr 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/288331

Inventors:

Tracy C. Slemker - Clayton OH
Scott R. Schall - Englewood OH

Assignee:

Prosthetic Design, Inc. - Clayton OH

International Classification:

B29C 3340

US Classification:

264222, 264308, 623 33, 623901

Abstract:

The present invention facilitates the use of the rapid manufacturing systems in the manufacture of prosthetic limb sockets by providing a substantially flat and strong distal attachment plate or base for the deposition of the fused-deposition-modeling materials thereon. The present invention also provides a method for fabricating a socket of a prosthetic limb which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a substantially flat distal attachment plate, where the attachment plate includes a coupling mechanism carried thereon for coupling a prosthetic upright assembly thereto; and (b) repeatedly depositing layers of solidifying material to the proximal surface of the attachment plate, controlled, at least in part, according to the dimensions of the patients residual limb, so as to form a socket for receiving the patients residual limb. The attachment plate may have a notch machined or formed into its proximal surface, about a periphery thereof, for receiving a first layer of the solidifying material and providing at least two bonding surfaces for the solidifying material.

Shuttle Lock

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US Patent:

6361569, Mar 26, 2002

Filed:

Jan 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/479542

Inventors:

Tracy C. Slemker - Clayton OH
Scott R. Schall - Englewood OH
Steve Steinbarger - Centerville OH

Assignee:

Prosthetic Design, Inc. - Clayton OH

International Classification:

A61F 260

US Classification:

623 33, 623 38

Abstract:

A shuttle lock for maintaining a patients residual limb in a prosthetic limb socket includes: (a) a housing having a distal surface adapted to abut an inside surface of a prosthetic limb socket, a substantially concave proximal surface and a hole extending into the center of the proximal surface, where the hole is adapted to receive a plunger pin carried on a patients residual limb; (b) a lock positioned within the housing for securing the plunger pin received in the hole; and (c) means for securing the housing of the shuttle lock within the prosthetic limb socket; (d) where the concave proximal surface includes at least one radial groove which is adapted to guide the plunger pin into the hole. Preferably the housing is substantially cylindrical in the concave proximal surface includes a plurality of the radial grooves circumferentially distributed to thereabout, where the radial grooves extend substantially from and outer circumference of the concave proximal surface to an outer circumference of the hole. A covering adapted to be worn on a patients residual limb is also provided, where the covering includes the plunger pin extending from a distal end of the covering, and also includes a projection extending distally therefrom that is adapted to be received within the radial groove on the proximal surface of the shuttle lock so as to reduce rotation of the patients residual limb and covering with respect to the prosthetic limb socket when the plunger pin is secured within the hole of the shuttle lock.

Coupling-Socket Adapter Assembly For A Prosthetic Limb

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US Patent:

6458163, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Jul 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/613977

Inventors:

Tracy C. Slemker - Clayton OH
Lanny K. Wiggins - Miamisburg OH
Scott R. Schall - Clayton OH

Assignee:

Prosthetic Design, Inc. - Clayton OH

International Classification:

A61F 280

US Classification:

623 38

Abstract:

A coupling-socket adapter assembly for a prosthetic limb. A base plate subassembly is attachable to a first prosthetic limb component. A coupling-socket adapter is rotatably attached to the base plate subassembly and has a cavity for receiving a male coupling member (such as a boss of a pyramidal link-plate). Various mechanisms, including a ring having internal threads and including a ring-clamp, are disclosed for locking the coupling-socket adapter against rotation with respect to the base plate subassembly and for unlocking the coupling-socket adapter for rotation with respect to the base plate subassembly, wherein the mechanisms are operable when the base plate subassembly is attached to the first prosthetic limb component.

Method For Fabricating A Cosmetic Cover For A Prosthetic Limb

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US Patent:

6470552, Oct 29, 2002

Filed:

Sep 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/668926

Inventors:

Tracy C. Slemker - Clayton OH
Schott R. Schall - Englewood OH

Assignee:

Prosthetic Design, Inc. - Clayton OH

International Classification:

B23P 1102

US Classification:

29447, 29460, 29557, 623 33, 409 98, 409131

Abstract:

A mandrel, and a method using a mandrel, for fabricating a cosmetic cover for a prosthetic limb having a socket for placement over a wearers residual limb and having a component positioned outside, and attached to, the socket through aligned holes of the component and the socket. The mandrel has a mandrel plate attached to a mandrel shaft. The mandrel plate has holes aligned with the holes of the socket so the mandrel plate may be attached to the socket and the component thereby supporting the prosthetic limb. The mandrel shaft is placed in a chuck of a milling machine when the supported prosthetic limb, with an attached cosmetic cover blank, is attached to the mandrel plate, and the outside surface of the cosmetic cover blank is milled to match a mirror image of the wearers sound limb.

Adjustable Plunger Pin Assembly For A Prosthetic Limb

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US Patent:

6589288, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Mar 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/797369

Inventors:

Michael McDowell - Canyon CA
Tracy C. Slemker - Clayton OH
Scott R. Schall - Englewood OH
Steve Steinbarger - Centerville OH

Assignee:

Prosthetic Design, Inc. - Clayton OH

International Classification:

A61F 260

US Classification:

623 33, 623 27

Abstract:

A plunger pin assembly for locking engagement with a shuttle lock of a prosthetic limb socket assembly, includes: (a) a housing having an internal cavity and a center-hole extending into its distal end, communicating with the internal cavity; (b) a cradle retained within the cavity, having a distal-facing outer surface that is laterally slidable with respect to the proximal-facing inner surface of the cavity, where the cradle includes a plunger pin component extending distally therefrom; and (c) a resilient shock absorber positioned, at least partially, between the proximal end of the plunger pin component and the inner distal-facing surface of the cavity; where (d) the cradle includes a center hole extending axially therethrough, the plunger pin component includes a ball positioned on a proximal end thereof, the ball having a diameter larger than the diameter of the center hole of the cradle, and the ball of the plunger pin component is seated in the center hole of the cradle to provide a ball joint coupling between the cradle and the male coupling component. The sliding engagement between the cradle and the housing provides the plunger pin component with multiple degrees of lateral adjustability with respect to the housing, and the ball-joint coupling between the plunger pin component and the cradle provides the plunger pin component with angular and/or rotational degrees of adjustability.

Modular Distal Plate For Rapid Manufacturing Of A Prosthetic Limb Socket

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US Patent:

6669736, Dec 30, 2003

Filed:

Mar 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/095142

Inventors:

Tracy C. Slemker - Clayton OH
Scott R. Schall - Englewood OH

Assignee:

Prosthetic Design, Inc. - Clayton OH

International Classification:

A61F 260

US Classification:

623 32, 623 33, 264222

Abstract:

The present invention facilitates the use of the rapid manufacturing systems in the manufacture of prosthetic limb sockets by providing a substantially flat and strong distal attachment plate or base for the deposition of the fused-deposition-modeling materials thereon. The present invention also provides a method for fabricating a socket of a prosthetic limb which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a substantially flat distal attachment plate, where the attachment plate includes a coupling mechanism carried thereon for coupling a prosthetic upright assembly thereto; and (b) repeatedly depositing layers of solidifying material to the proximal surface of the attachment plate, controlled, at least in part, according to the dimensions of the patients residual limb, so as to form a socket for receiving the patients residual limb. The attachment plate may have a notch machined or formed into its proximal surface, about a periphery thereof, for receiving a first layer of the solidifying material and providing at least two bonding surfaces for the solidifying material.

Shuttle Lock

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US Patent:

6689171, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Mar 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/103901

Inventors:

Tracy C. Slemker - Clayton OH
Scott R. Schall - Englewood OH
Steve Steinbarger - Centerville OH

Assignee:

Prosthetic Design, Inc.

International Classification:

A61F 260

US Classification:

623 33, 623 38

Abstract:

A shuttle-lock for maintaining a patients residual limb in a prosthetic limb socket includes: (a) a housing having a distal surface adapted to abut an inside surface of a prosthetic limb socket, a substantially concave proximal surface and a hole extending into the center of the proximal surface, where the hole is adapted to receive a plunger pin carried on a patients residual limb therein; and (b) a lock positioned within the housing for securing the plunger pin received in the hole where the concave proximal surface includes a plurality of radially extending grooves that are adapted to guide the plunger pin into the hole.

Valve Assembly For A Prosthetic Limb

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US Patent:

6979355, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Oct 9, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/947668

Inventors:

Tracy C. Slemker - Clayton OH, US

Assignee:

The Ohio Willow Wood Company - Mount Sterling OH

International Classification:

A61F002/80

US Classification:

623 34, 623 36

Abstract:

A prosthetic limb comprises a socket for receiving a patient's residual limb, and an upright assembly. The socket includes a base provided in its distal end. The base includes a chamber therewithin and an channel for providing fluid communication between the chamber and the interior of the socket. A duct extends through the socket and engages the base such that it is in fluid communication with the chamber. A valve is coupled to the duct to allow controlled or forced gas transfer to and from the interior of the socket. A seal is provided between the base and the socket to facilitate suction between the patient's residual limb and the socket.