NL2026000B1

NL2026000B1 - Adaptor for mounting a prosthesis

Info

Publication number: NL2026000B1
Application number: NL2026000A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Christiaan Antoon Jansen Harry; Michaël Adrianus Beerens Maikel
Original assignee: Xilloc Holding B V
Priority date: 2020-07-03
Filing date: 2020-07-03
Publication date: 2022-03-11
Also published as: WO2022005295A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adaptor for mounting a prosthesis to a prosthetic pin that protrudes from a user’s body. The invention additionally relates to the female part of such adaptor. The invention particularly relates to the medical field of osseointegration in Which a direct interface is formed between an implant and bone, Without intervening soft tissue. According to the present invention, the female part comprises a clamping device having a self-locking mechanism. The user may operate the clamping device to thereby clamp the male part in the locking ring.

Description

Adaptor for mounting a prosthesis The present invention relates to an adaptor for mounting a prosthesis to a prosthetic pin that protrudes from a user’s body. The invention additionally relates to the female part of such adaptor. The invention particularly relates to the medical field of osseointegration in which a direct interface is formed between an implant and bone, without intervening soft tissue.

In the field of osseointegration, a pin or other implant is implanted into a bone of a limb of the patient to which the prosthesis should be connected to. The bone structure integrates with the pin, which is normally made from metals such as Titanium. After sufficient integration and fixation, a prosthesis can be attached to the pin.

Adaptors used for mounting a prosthesis to a prosthetic pin are known in the art. An example of such an adaptor is found in Dutch patent NL2010991. This adaptor comprises a female part and a male part, wherein the female part is configured to be coupled to the prosthesis and wherein the male part is configured to be coupled to the prosthetic pin.

The known adaptor comprises axial locking means for releasably and axially locking the male part and female part relative to each other. It further comprises rotational locking means for rotationally locking the male part and female part relative to each other. In the known adaptor, the rotational locking means comprise a breaking device that is configured to break when an externally applied torque between the male part and female part exceeds a predetermined level thereby allowing the female part and the male part to rotate with respect to each other to protect the prosthetic pin.

The known adaptor offers the advantage that it can be ensured that the rotational locking means will disengage when excessive torque is applied, while the adaptor is still able to guarantee sufficient axial locking during normal use.

However, a drawback of the known adaptor is that the user should visit an osseointegration specialist to replace the breaking device if this device breaks under excessive torque. In the meantime, the user cannot use the adaptor causing inconvenience to the user, particularly if the unfortunate event does not occur during office hours or not within reach of an osseointegration specialist.

A further adaptor, corresponding to the preamble of claim 1, is known from WO2019164394. In this adaptor, the female part comprises a housing and a locking ring arranged in the housing and in which the male part can be received. The locking ring is configured for clamping the male part. More in particular, the locking ring is made from resilient material. When an axial force is exerted onto the locking ring, it will deform radially inward thereby engaging and locking the male part.

Typically, when a user wishes to take a shower, the prosthesis is replaced by a prosthesis that is more suited for humid environments. In practice, this means that a user has to replace the regular prosthesis with the female part of the adaptor connected thereto with a prosthesis dedicated for the shower with a female part of a further adaptor connected thereto. The requirements for such dedicated prosthesis and corresponding adaptor are much less stringent than for the regular prosthesis and adaptor due to the limited movement and mechanical stress that the prosthesis and adaptor are subjected to. Still, because the male part of the regular adaptor is still connected to the prosthetic pin, compatibility should be ensured with the female part of the further adaptor.

To address this compatibility issue, a user typically purchases two adaptors, one for the regular prosthesis and one for the abovementioned dedicated prosthesis. However, the complexity and costs of the regular adaptor exceed those of a further adaptor that would only have to meet the reduced requirements. Such requirements include the ease with which a user can arrange the dedicated prosthesis and the mitigation of the risk of injuring the prosthetic pin or prosthesis due to an inadvertently high torque applied between the male and female parts.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adaptor that meets the abovementioned demands and that in particular can be used in combination with a dedicated prosthesis as described above.

This object is achieved using an adaptor as defined by claim 1 that is characterized in that the adaptor is further provided with a clamping device that comprises a first clamping member that is hingedly connected to the housing at a first hinge position, a second clamping member that is hingedly connected to the housing at a second hinge position spaced apart from the first hinge position, wherein the locking ring is arranged in between the first and second clamping members. The clamping device further comprises a connecting member that is hingedly connected to the second clamping member at a third hinge position spaced apart from the second hinge position, and an operating member hingedly connected to the first clamping member at a fourth hinge position spaced apart from the first hinge position, and hingedly connected to the connecting member at a fifth hinge position spaced apart from the third hinge position, wherein the operating member is configured for rotating at least one of the first and second clamping members so that they engage and clamp or squeeze the locking ring.

According to the invention, the first and second hinge positions are fixed relative to the housing. Furthermore, the operating member can be moved between an open position in which the male part can be removed from the female part, and a closed position in which the male part is clamped in the female part by the locking ring, by rotating the operating member in a first direction away from the second hinge position such that the fifth hinge position passes a line through the third and fourth hinge positions.

Now referring to figure 1, an example of a working principle of the present invention is exampled. Shown is a locking ring 100 in which a male part can be inserted (not shown). Also shown are first clamping member 101, second clamping member 102, connecting member 103, and operating member 104. Members 101-104 are hingedly connected at first to five hinge positions HI1-HS5, wherein it is noted that first and second hinge positions are stationary.

Shown in the top drawing of figure 1 is the open position in which the locking ring 100 is relatively wide or at least has an inner size allowing the male part to be placed in locking ring 100. Once placed, a user may grasp operating member 104 and rotate it clockwise. This will cause at least second member 102, connecting member 103, and operating member 104 to hinge such that the closed position is reached shown in the bottom drawing of figure 1. In this position, locking ring 100 is clamped, squeezed, or otherwise deformed by clamping members 101, 102 so that the male part is clamped by locking ring 100.

A line L1 is shown that passes through third hinge position H3 and fourth hinge position H4. Furthermore, a side 1 and a side 11 are indicated relative to line L1, wherein side 1 is located more towards locking ring 100. By comparing the top and bottom drawing, it can be observed that by rotating operating member 104 in a first clockwise direction, fifth hinge position HS changes from being positioned at side II to being positioned at side I. Put differently, fifth hinge position HS passes through line L1 when rotating operating member 104 clockwise. This provides a self- locking mechanism. For example, assuming locking ring 100 pushes against second clamping member 102, a force will be exerted that will not cause operating member 104 to rotate counter clockwise back to the open position.

To enhance this self-locking mechanism, the operating member, when in the closed position, may abut first clamping member 101 or may be otherwise restricted from rotation in the first direction.

At least one of the first clamping member and second clamping member may be fixedly connected to the locking ring, preferably in an integral manner.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the locking ring may compress or deform as a result of the action of the first and second clamping members. This can be achieved by realizing the locking ring using resilient material. Alternatively, the locking ring may be cylindrically shaped having an axial slot that defines two opposing edges of the locking ring that can be pushed towards each other when moving the operating member from the open position to the closed position for the purpose of engaging the male part. A dividing plane may be identified, at least when the operating member is in the open position, which dividing plane extends through a central axial axis of the locking ring and the axial slot, wherein the dividing plane divides the locking ring into a two halves, each half extending from a respective edge of the axial slot to a connecting line at which the two halves connect to each other, and each half having a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion is situated closer to the axial slot than to the connecting line and wherein the rear portion is situated closer to the connecting line than to the axial slot. In such case, the first hinge position and the second hinge position may be arranged adjacent a respective rear portion of a respective half of the locking ring, and, at least in the closed position of the operating member, the first and second clamping member each extend from a rear portion to a front portion of the same respective half. By extending over both the rear and front portions, a more efficient clamping can be achieved. Furthermore, the first, fourth, and fifth hinge positions can be arranged closer to a different half than the second and third hinge positions. For example, referring to figure 1, hinge positions Hi, H4, and HS are located closer to the left half of locking ring 100 and hinge positions H2, H3 closer to the right half.

The clamping device may further comprise adjusting means for adjusting a length of the connecting member to thereby adjust a force exerted by the locking ring onto the male part in the closed position. For example, the connecting member may comprise a first part and a second part that are coupled to each other along a longitudinal direction of the connecting member, wherein a position at and/or a length along which the first and second parts are connected is adjustable. As an example, one of the first part and second part may comprise a bolt and the other of the first part and second part may comprise a nut configured to be coupled to the bolt. In this case, the first part may be hingedly connected to the second clamping member at the third hinge position, and the second part may be hingedly connected to the operating member.

The abovementioned first part may comprise a ball shaped extension from which the nut or bolt extends, wherein the second clamping member may comprise a channel and an opening exiting into the channel, wherein the first part is accommodated in the second clamping member in such a manner that the ball shaped extension is received in the channel and the nut or bolt extends through the opening of the second clamping member for engaging the first part. The ball shaped extension may be configured to hinge in the channel for providing the hinged connection between the first part and the second clamping member. In addition, the connecting member may comprise a third part of which one end is hingedly connected to the operating member at the fifth hinge position and wherein an opposing end is hingedly connected to the second part at a sixth hinge position.

A lower end of the male part can be provided with one or more radial openings, and the housing may comprise radially inwardly protruding spring biased engaging elements, such as spring ball plungers, for engaging the one or more radials openings for providing an additional locking of the male part relative to the female part. The female part may comprise an alignment ring moveably arranged in the housing and having a non-circular inner opening that is shaped complementary to a lower end of the male part, wherein the alignment ring is configured to receive the male part and wherein the alignment ring comprises radial openings in which the spring biased engaging elements are arranged. A surface of the alignment ring facing away from the male part may be provided with one of a recess and an axially protruding spring biased engaging element, such as a spring ball plunger. A first wall of the housing opposite to the alignment ring may be provided with the other of the recess and the axially protruding spring biased engaging element, 5 wherein the axially protruding spring biased engaging element is configured to engage the recess to aid rotational alignment of the male part relative to the female part. The abovementioned surface of the alignment ring may comprise a plurality of the recesses or axially protruding spring biased engaging elements, and the first wall of the housing may comprise a corresponding plurality of axially protruding spring biased engaging elements or recesses, respectively.

Preferably, when a torque is applied between the male part and female part that exceeds a predefined value, the axially protruding spring biased engaging element(s) will disengage from the respective recess(es), and a frictional force between the locking ring and male part will be overcome allowing the male part to rotate relative to locking ring. Furthermore, when the torque is applied that exceeds the predefined value, the alignment ring will remain rotationally locked to the male part.

The abovementioned alignment ring provides an initial locking between the male part and female part even before operating the operating member. This allows a user to rotationally align the male part relative to the female part while having the female part, and therefore the prosthesis, coupled to the male part. The rotational alignment is achieved using the axially protruding spring biased engaging element(s) that engage the corresponding recesses at predefined positions of the alignment ring.

The housing may comprise an upper part and a lower part and a rear wall connecting the upper part and the lower part. One or more strengthening members may be provided for connecting the upper and lower part. The upper part may be provided with an opening in which the male part can be inserted. Furthermore, the clamping device may be arranged in between the upper part and the lower part, and the rear wall may extend on a side of the locking ring opposite to a side of the locking ring where the operating member is provided. The abovementioned first wall of the housing may correspond to an upper surface of the lower part. Additionally or alternatively, the adaptor may further comprise a first pair of axially aligned openings of which one opening is provided in the upper part and the other opening in the lower part. In addition, the first clamping member may comprise a first opening. In this case, the housing may further comprise a first shaft extending through the first pair of axially aligned openings and the first opening of first clamping member for forming a hinge at the first hinge position. Similarly, the adaptor may comprise a second pair of axially aligned openings of which one opening is provided in the upper part and the other opening in the lower part. In addition, the second clamping member may comprise a first opening. In this case, the housing may further comprise a second shaft extending through the second pair of axially aligned openings and the first opening of second clamping member for forming a hinge at the second hinge position.

In this manner, the first and second hinge positions can be fixed relative to the housing.

Furthermore, the first clamping member may comprise a first pair of axially aligned openings, and the operating member may comprise a base and a pair of legs extending from the base and being mutually axially displaced.

The legs may each comprise a respective opening of a first pair of axially aligned openings and a respective opening of a second pair of axially aligned openings, wherein the first pair of axially aligned openings of the operating member is arranged closer to the base of the operating member than the second pair of axially openings of the operating IO member.

In this case, the connecting member can at least be partially received in between the legs of the operating member.

The connecting member may comprise a first opening.

Furthermore, the clamping device may comprise a first shaft extending through the first opening of the connecting member and the first pair of openings of the first clamping member.

The first clamping member may comprise a second pair of axially aligned openings.

In this case, the clamping device may comprise a second shaft extending through one opening of the second pair of axially aligned openings of the first clamping member and through one opening of the second pair of axially aligned openings of the operating member and a third shaft extending through the other opening of the second pair of axially aligned openings of the first clamping member and through the other opening of the second pair of axially aligned openings of the operating member.

The openings of the second pair of axially aligned openings of the first clamping member may be at least partially closed at an end thereof facing away from the male part to prevent the second and third shaft from following downward as a result of movement.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides the female part as described above that is suitable to be used in the adaptor described above.

Next, the present invention will be explained in more detail referring to the appended drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a working principle according to an aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the adaptor according to the invention; Figure 3 illustrates the attachment of the male part of the adaptor of figure 2 to the prosthetic pin in more detail; Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the clamping device of the adaptor of figure 2; Figure 5 illustrates two top views of the clamping device of the adaptor of figure 2 showing the closed and open position of the operating member, respectively; and Figure 6A illustrates a cross sectional view of the female part of the adaptor of figure 2, and figure 6B a variant thereof.

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the adaptor according to the invention. Shown is a prosthetic pin 1 having a tapered end in which an axial alignment recess 2 is provided. Furthermore, the tapered end is hollow and is provided with an inner threading. A protective cup 3 is provided to prevent contamination of the adaptor.

Male part 50 comprises a body 5 having a circumferential groove 5A at an upper end in which, as shown in the cross sectional view of figure 3, protective cup 3 is arranged. The upper end of body 5 is also provided with an inner groove in which an O-ring 8 is provided.

Body 5 is connected to prosthetic pin 1 using an alignment pin 4 that protrudes through opening 4A and alignment recess 2. In addition, a bolt 6 having an external threading is arranged into the tapered end of prosthetic pin 1. Screw locks 7 are provided that prevent inadvertent rotation of prosthetic pin 1 and body 5 and/or dislocation or loosening of male part 50 relative to pin 1.

A lower end of body 5 has a hexagon shape and is provided with a plurality of radially extending openings 5B.

Female part 60, of which cross sectional views for two embodiments thereof are shown in figures 6A and 6B, comprises a housing 14 in which an alignment ring 9 is provided that has a circular inner opening. A further alignment ring 11 is provided that has a hexagon shape that is complementary to the hexagon shape of the lower part of body 5 of male part 50. Alignment ring 11 comprises a plurality of radially extending threaded openings 11A in which spring ball plungers are provided. Each spring ball plunger comprises a ball 12A, a spring 12C, and a mounting unit 12B by which the spring ball plunger is mounted, e.g. pressed, inside a respective opening of alignment ring 11. Furthermore, a lower surface of alignment ring 11 is provided with axially extending recesses that will aid rotational alignment of male part 50 relative to female part 60 as will be explained later.

Now referring to figures 4-6, female part 60 comprises a clamping device 70. Clamping device 70 comprises a first clamping member 29 that is fixedly connected to a locking ring 32. Clamping device 70 further comprises a second clamping member 20 that may also be fixedly connected to locking ring 32.

As shown in figure 4, first clamping member 29 comprises an opening 29A and a pair of axially aligned openings 29B. Second clamping member 20 comprises a channel 20A, shown in figure 6B, and an opening 20B.

Clamping device 70 further comprises a connecting member that comprises a first part 21, a second part 23 and a third part 24. This latter part is provided with a pair of axially aligned openings 24A and an opening 24B. First part 21 comprises a ball 21 A connected to a nut 21B.

Second part 23 comprises a bolt having a head that is provided with an opening 23A.

As shown in figure 6B, ball 21 A is arranged in channel 20A in such a manner that nut 21B extends through opening 20B. Nut 21B is coupled to bolt 23. More in particular, the position at which nut 21B engages bolt 23 can be changed by an osseointegration specialist. In this manner, the length of the connecting member can be adjusted to alter the force exerted by locking ring 32 onto body 5. In addition, clamps 22 can be used to prevent inadvertent rotation of nut 21B relative to bolt 23. Such clamps 22 may be arranged in an inside of ball 21 A.

The small insert in figure 4, indicated inside the dashed circle, illustrates a cross sectional view of first part 21. As shown, ball 21A is hollow and a ring shaped space exists in which clamps 22 are arranged. Typically, first part 21 is 3D printed. After printing, clamps 22 are picked up by tweezers and slightly deformed by bringing the ends together. Using tweezers, clamps 22 are subsequently inserted into ball 21 A and released in the ring shaped space. There, clamps 22 will regain their original shape and attach themselves to the inner wall of ball 21A.

Second part 23 is connected to third part 24 using a shaft 25 that extends through openings 23A and 24A. In turn, third part 24 is connected to operating member 27 using a shaft 26 that extends through opening 24B and the pair of axially aligned openings 27A. Operating member 27 is connected to first clamping member using shafts 28A, 28B that each extend to an opening of the pair of axially aligned openings 27B and an opening of the pair of axially aligned openings 29B.

Clamping device 70 also comprises an operating member 27 having a first pair of axially aligned openings 27A and a second pair of axially aligned openings 27B.

Housing 14 comprises an upper part 14A and a lower part 14B that are connected by a rear wall 14C. Housing 14 comprises a first pair of axially aligned openings 14D and a second pair of axially aligned openings. These latter openings are not visible in figure 4 as they are arranged behind strengthening member 14F that couples upper part 14A and lower part 14B. In addition, an upper surface of lower part 14B is provided with openings 14E. In these openings, axially protruding spring ball plungers are arranged. Each of these plungers comprising a mounting unit 13A by which the plunger is mounted, e.g. pressed, in a respective opening 14E, a ball 13B, and a spring 13C. These spring ball plungers are configured to engage the openings in the axially extending recesses in the lower surface of alignment ring 11.

First clamping member 29 is hingedly connected to housing 14 using a shaft 18A that extends through the pair of axially aligned openings 14D of housing 14 and opening 29A of first clamping member 29. Accordingly, a hinge is formed at a first hinge position, which hinge position is stationary relative to housing 14. Similarly, second clamping member 20 is hingedly connected to housing 14 using a shaft 18B that extends through the second pair of axially aligned openings of housing 14 and opening 20C of second clamping member 20. A hinge is therefore formed at a second hinge position, which hinge position is stationary relative to housing 14. Shafts 18A and

18B are arranged in first and second clamping member 29, 20, respectively, using a shaft spacer and aligner 19.

Figure 5 illustrates two top views of the clamping device of the adaptor of figure 2, showing the closed (top) and open (bottom) position of the operating member, respectively. As shown, locking ring 32 comprises an axial slot 32A. This slot allows ring 32 to be squeezed by bringing the opposing edges near axial slot 32 together.

Furthermore, in figure 5, five different hinge positions are visible, i.e. a first hinge position corresponding to shaft 18A, a second hinge position corresponding to shaft 18B, a fourth hinge position corresponding to shafts 28A, 28B, a fifth hinge position corresponding to shaft 26, and a IO sixth hinge position corresponding to shaft 25. Ball 21 A forms a third hinge position. It is further noted that the first hinge position and second hinge position are stationary relative to housing 14.

Now referring to figure 5, bottom drawing, a user may, starting from the open position of operating member 27, rotate this member clockwise. This will cause the fifth hinge position to cross a line that passes through the third and fourth hinge positions, similar to that shown in connection with figure 1.

In the closed position, shown in figure 5, top drawing, operating member 27 rests against first clamping member 29. In this position, the inner size of locking ring 32 is smaller than in the open position. More in particular, the inner size of locking ring 32 is indicated in the bottom figure using dashed circle 30.

In the closed position, locking ring 32 presses against first clamping member 29 and second clamping member 20. As a result, the connecting member will pull on operating member

27. However, such force may only result in operating member 27 rotating clockwise. However, as operating member 27 rests against first clamping member 29, a self-locking mechanism is obtained.

Now referring to the cross sectional view of figure 6A, which shows an embodiment of female part 60 corresponding to the exploded view of figure 2, a bouncing plate 10 is provided for shock absorption to damp abrupt impacts on the prosthesis from being transferred to pin 1. In addition, a coupling unit 16 having a threaded upper end is inserted into a threaded recess 33 at a lower end of housing 14. In figure 6A, a metal stability plate 40 is arranged in between housing 14 and coupling unit 16. Now also referring to figure 2, stability plate 40 is inserted into a slot in housing 14 and is connected to housing 14 using bolts 40B or the like that pass through openings 40A in stability plate 40 and that are received in openings 14C. In the embodiment of female part 600 shown in figure 6B, stability plate 40 is not shown and coupling unit 16 is directly inserted into housing 14. In addition, female part 600 differs from female part 60 in that female part 600 does not comprise strengthening member 14F.

For both embodiments, in an upper surface of coupling unit 16, through openings 16A are provided that allow screws 15 to be inserted from a lower end. In addition, radial openings 17A are provided that exit into an internal cavity of coupling unit 16. An end of the prosthesis can be inserted into this internal cavity after which it may be secured to coupling unit 16 using screws 17.

Recess 33 has a wall 33A that is inclined relative to coupling unit 16. By having this inclination, and by using screws 15, it can be prevented that coupling unit 16 and housing 14 mutually rotate.

Next, the process of replacing a prosthesis with a dedicated prosthesis in accordance with the present invention will be discussed.

As a first step, a user will decouple the regular prosthesis. After decoupling, male part 50 will still be coupled to the prosthetic pin. This part will be coupled to female part 60. This latter part is already coupled to a dedicated prosthesis, for example a prosthesis to be used in a shower.

To couple the prosthesis, the user will first insert male part 50 into female part 60 with operating member 27 being in the open position. As a result of inserting male part 50, a locking {5 between male part 50 and female part 60 will be obtained through the spring ball plungers in alignment ring 11 engaging radial openings 5B of body 5.

After coupling male part 50 to alignment ring 11, a user may still rotate male part 50 relative to female part 60. This will allow the user to rotationally align the prosthesis relative to prosthetic pin 1. At predefined positions, defined by the spring ball plungers arranged, e.g. pressed, in openings 14E, a user will observe the plungers engaging the recesses in the bottom surface of alignment ring 11. Consequently, due to the non-circular shape of the lower end of body 5, the corresponding shape of alignment ring 11, and the predefined positions defined by the spring ball plungers, a limited amount of positions, e.g. 6, are available for rotationally aligning male part 50 relative to female part 60. This allows a user to conveniently use the same alignment when repeatedly changing the prosthesis.

In the embodiments discussed above, housing 14 is made of polyamide and body 5 is made of metal. Shafts 18A, 18B, 25, 26, 28A, 28B are made from stainless steel to prevent corrosion in humid environments. Alignment ring 9 and alignment ring 11 are made of hardened metal having a abrasion resistant coating, bouncing plate 10 is made of a resilient polyurethane, and locking ring 32 is made of polyamide to prevent damaging body 5. The present invention does however not exclude the use of different materials.

In the above, the present invention has been explained using detailed embodiments thereof. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS I. Adapter for mounting a prosthesis, comprising: a male part adapted to be coupled to a prosthetic pin projecting from a user's body; a female part adapted to be coupled to the prosthesis and to the male part, said female part comprising a housing and a locking ring arranged in the housing and adapted to clamp the male part; characterized in that the female part further comprises a clamping device comprising: a first clamping part pivotally connected to the housing at a first hinge position; a second clamp member pivotally connected to the housing at a second hinge position spaced from the first hinge position, the locking ring being arranged between the first and second clamp members; a connecting portion pivotally connected to the second clamping portion at a third pivot position remote from the second pivot position; an operating member pivotally connected to the first clamping member at a fourth hinge position remote from the first pivot position, and pivotally connected to the connecting member at a fifth pivot position remote from the third pivot position, the operating member being adapted to rotate at least one of the first and second clamping members so as to engage and clamp or pinch the locking ring allowing the locking ring to clamp the male member; wherein the first, second, and fourth hinge positions are fixed relative to the housing; wherein the actuating part is movable between an open position where the male part can be removed from the female part, and a closed position where the male part is clamped in the female part by the locking ring by rotating the actuating part in a first direction away from the second hinge position such that the fifth hinge position passes a line through the third and fourth hinge positions.

The adapter of claim 1, wherein the actuating member, when in the closed position, is adjacent to the first clamping member or otherwise restricted from pivoting in the first direction.

An adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first clamping member and the second clamping member is rigidly connected to the locking ring, preferably in an integral manner.

An adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking ring is cylindrically shaped and has an axial slot defining two opposite edges of the locking ring which can be pressed together when moving the actuating member from the open position to the closed position. to seize the male part.

An adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an interface can be identified, at least when the actuating member is in the open position, the interface extending through a central axial axis of the locking ring and the axial slot, the interface dividing the locking ring in two halves, each half extending from a respective edge of the axial slot to a connecting line where the two halves join together, each half comprising a front piece and a back piece, the front piece being positioned closer to the axial slot than at the connecting line and the back piece being placed closer to the connecting line than at the axial slot; wherein the first hinge position and the second hinge position are arranged adjacent to a respective rear portion of a respective half of the locking ring; and wherein, at least in the closed position of the operating member, the first and second clamping members each extend from a back piece to a front piece of the same respective half.

The adapter of claim 5, wherein the first, fourth, and fifth hinge positions are arranged closer to another half than the second and third hinge positions.

An adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping device further comprises adjusting means for adjusting a length of the connecting part to thereby adjust a force exerted by the locking ring on the male part in the closed position.

An adapter according to claim 7, wherein the connecting part comprises a first part and a second part coupled together along a longitudinal direction of the connecting part, wherein a position at which and/or a length along which the first and second parts are connected is adjustable is.

The adapter of claim 8, wherein one of the first part and the second part comprises a bolt and wherein the other of the first part and the second part comprises a nut adapted to be coupled to the bolt.

An adapter according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first part is pivotally connected to the second clamping portion at the third hinge position, and wherein the second component 10 is pivotally connected to the operating portion.

An adapter according to claims 9 and 10, wherein the first part comprises a ball-shaped projection from which the nut or bolt extends, wherein the second clamping part comprises a channel and an opening opening into the channel, the first part being accommodated in the second clamping member in such a manner that the ball-shaped projection is received in the channel and the nut or bolt extends through the opening of the second clamping member for engaging the first part, the ball-shaped projection being adapted to pivot in the channel to provide of the pivotal connection between the first part and the second clamping part.

An adapter according to claim 11, wherein the connecting part comprises a third part, one end of which is pivotally connected to the operating part at the fifth hinge position, and wherein an opposite end is hingedly connected to the second part at a sixth hinge position.

An adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower end of the male part is provided with one or more radial openings, and the housing comprising radially inwardly projecting spring-biased engagement elements, such as spring-ball plungers (" spring ball plungers™) for engaging the one or more radial apertures to provide additional locking of the male portion in relation to the female portion.

The adapter of claim 13, wherein the female portion comprises an alignment ring movably arranged in the housing and having a non-circular inner opening formed complementary to a lower end of the male portion, the alignment ring being adapted to receive of the male part and wherein the alignment ring comprises radial openings in which the engagement members biased by a spring are arranged.

The adapter of claim 14, wherein a surface of the alignment ring facing away from the male member includes a recess and an axially projecting spring-biased engagement member, such as a spring-ball plunger, and wherein a first wall of the housing opposite the alignment ring has the other of the recess and the axially projecting spring-biased engagement member, the axially projecting spring-biased engagement member being adapted to engage the recess for assisting of rotational alignment of the male part in relation to the female part.

The adapter of claim 15, wherein the surface of the alignment comprises a plurality of said recesses or axially projecting spring biased engagement members, and wherein said first housing wall has a corresponding plurality of respectively axially projecting spring biased engagement members. includes biased engagement elements or recesses.

An adapter according to claim 15 or 16, wherein when a torque is applied between the male part and the female part which exceeds a predefined value, the axially projecting spring-biased engagement member(s) will disengage from the respective recess(s), and a frictional force between the locking ring and the male part will be overcome allowing the male part to rotate in relation to the locking ring.

The adapter of claim 17, wherein when the torque exceeding the predefined value is applied, the alignment ring will remain pivotally locked to the male part.

An adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, the housing comprising an upper part and a lower part and a back wall connecting the upper and lower part, the upper part being provided with an opening in which the male part can be placed; wherein the clamping device is arranged between the upper part and the lower part; and wherein the rear wall extends on a side of the locking ring opposite a side of the locking ring where the actuating member is provided.

The adapter of claim 19, further comprising: a first pair of axially aligned openings, one of which is provided in the upper part and the other opening in the lower part, and wherein the first clamping part comprises a first opening, the housing further comprising a first shaft. extending through the first pair of axially aligned openings and the first opening of the first clamping member to form a hinge at the first hinge position; a second pair of axially aligned openings, one of which is provided in the upper part and the other opening in the lower part, and wherein the second clamping part comprises a first opening, the housing further comprising a second shaft extending through the second pair of axially aligned openings and the first opening of the second clamping member for forming a hinge at the second hinge position.

The adapter of claim 20, wherein the first clamping member includes a first pair of axially aligned apertures, and wherein the actuating member includes a base and a pair of legs extending from the base and axially displaced between them, the legs each having a respective aperture. including a first pair of axially aligned openings and a respective opening of a second pair of axially aligned openings, the first pair of axially aligned openings of the operating member being arranged closer to the base of the operating member than the second pair of axial openings of the operating member; wherein the connecting member is at least partially receivable between the legs of the operating member, the connecting member comprising a first opening; the clamping device comprising a first shaft extending through the first opening of the connecting member and the first pair of openings of the first clamping member; and wherein the first clamping member comprises a second pair of axially aligned openings, the clamping device comprising a second shaft extending through an opening in the second pair of axially aligned openings of the first clamping member and through an opening of the second pair of axially aligned openings of the actuating member and a third axis extending through the other opening of the second pair of axially aligned openings of the first clamping member and through the other opening of the second pair of axially aligned openings of the actuating member.

A female portion adapted to be coupled to a prosthesis and to the male portion of an adapter as defined in any preceding claim, the female portion comprising a housing and a locking ring arranged in the housing and adapted to clamp the said housing male part; characterized in that the female portion is further provided with a clamping device comprising: a first clamping portion pivotally connected to the housing at a first pivoting position; a second clamp member pivotally connected to the housing at a second hinge position spaced from the first hinge position, the locking ring being arranged between the first and second clamp members;

a connecting portion pivotally connected to the second clamping portion at a third pivot position remote from the second pivot position; an operating part pivotally connected to the first clamping part at a fourth hinge position remote from the first hinge position and pivotally connected to the connecting part at a fifth hinge position remote from the third hinge position, the operating part being adapted to rotate at least one of the first and second clamping member so as to engage and clamp or pinch the locking ring allowing the locking ring to clamp the male member;

wherein the first, second, and fourth hinge positions are fixed relative to the housing;

wherein the actuating part is movable between an open position in which the male part can be removed from the female part, and a closed position in which the male part is clamped in the female part by the locking ring by rotating the actuating part in a first direction away from the second hinge position such that the fifth hinge position passes a line through the third and fourth hinge positions.