WO2024206529A1 - Articulated prosthetic device and methods of use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An articulated prosthetic device having a socket frame configured to be couple to an articulated surface allowing for the lateral insertion, extraction, and adjustment of a residual limb within the socket frame.

Description

ARTICULATED PROSTHETIC DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This International PCT application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/454,812 filed March 27, 2023. The specification, claims and drawings of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Generally, the inventive technology disclosed herein relates to the field of prosthetic devices, and more particularly an articulated prosthetic device that may be configured to include an extendable surface to allow more efficient placement and adjustment of the residual limb and/or suspension system of the prosthesis.

BACKGROUND

Traditional prosthetic devices operate by securing the residual limb into a rigid or semirigid socket. A socket may commonly refer to the portion of a prosthesis that fits around and secures a residual limb, and to which prosthetic components, such as a foot, are attached. Traditional prosthetic devices are generally designed to stabilize the skeletal components of the residual limb and allow minimal relative movement between the socket and the residual limb. To effectively support the residual limb and allow for the efficient transfer loads from the residual limb to the ground, traditional prosthetic sockets are designed to provide sufficient support to secure the residual limb within the socket, while at the same time allowing sufficient flexibility to allow for circulation and account for other physiological, temporal or environmental changes that may affect the shape and/or volume of the residual limb. One significant drawback of traditional prosthetic sockets is the difficulty many users experience putting on or removing their prosthesis. Moreover, depending on the type of suspension and the physical capabilities of the user, it can be a very difficult to properly and secure the residual limb in the socket frame of the prosthesis.

As such, there exists a need for a prosthetic device that may overcome the limitations of prior traditional systems. The current invention overcomes the limitations of, and indeed surpasses the functionality of traditional prosthetic socket systems. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a simple, versatile, and cost effective prosthetic socket system that allows for the lateral insertion and removal of a user’s residual when donning of the prosthesis. Specifically, the present invention seeks to alleviate the aforementioned issues by creating an articulating surface, and preferably an anterior articulating surface forming an anterior opening in the socket frame to allow for a user to better put on or take off the device, or for another individual to assist in the fitting and adjustment of the prosthetic. By opening the socket frame in this manner, and preferably the front of the socket before donning, the patient or an assistant can have a full view of where and how the suspension device needs to align to in order to properly fasten the prosthesis to the residual limb. The present invention can be particularly helpful in nursing home environments or other care facilities where the amputee may not be able to properly don their prosthesis which almost exclusively rely on pin-lock suspension systems that can themselves be difficult to self-adjust.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the inventive technology disclosed herein includes an articulated prosthetic device. In one preferred embodiment, the articulated prosthetic device of the invention includes a socket frame having an articulated surface adapted to be securable to the socket frame by a coupler. In this aspect, the articulated surface can be coupled or decoupled from said socket frame thereby allowing the lateral placement or removal of a residual limb from the socket into an “open” or “closed” position.

Another object of the inventive technology disclosed herein includes an articulated prosthetic device. In this preferred aspect, the device includes a socket frame having an articulated surface, and preferably an articulatable anterior surface configured to be coupled or decoupled from said socket frame thereby allowing the lateral placement or removal of a residual limb from the socket into an “open” or “closed” position.

In another aspect, the prosthetic device of the invention further include a compression actuator responsive to a compression cord positioned within a compression channel formed by a plurality of channel segments that traverses the border between the socket frame and articulated surface. In this preferred aspect, when the compression actuator is engaged, it retracts the compression cord causing an inward compressive force on the articulated surface causing it to be positioned adjacent to, or coupled with the frame in a “closed” position.

In still further aspects, the compression actuator can be configured to release the compression cord removing the inward compressive force and causing the articulated surface to be decoupled from the frame and allowing the articulated surface to be extended into an “open” position. Another object of the inventive technology disclosed herein includes an articulated surface having a first mesh joint that can be mated with a second mesh joint on the socket frame forming a flexible coupling.

Additional aspects of the invention will be evident from the specification, figures, and claims provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The inventive articulated prosthetic device described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments according to the device described herein. It will be noted that the device as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustrated by way of example only. The various elements and combinations of elements described below and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments which are still within the spirit and scope of the device described herein.

Figure 1: shows a side view of an exemplary transfemoral articulated prosthetic device in the “closed” position having socket frame coupled with an anterior positioned articulated surface in one embodiment thereof.

Figure 2: shows a side view of an exemplary transfemoral articulated prosthetic device having socket frame in the “open” position configuration with an anterior positioned articulated surface in an extended position in one embodiment thereof.

Figure 3: shows a front view of an exemplary transfemoral articulated prosthetic device having socket frame in the “open” position with an anterior positioned articulated surface in an extended position having a compression actuator responsive to a compression channel in one embodiment thereof.

Figure 4: shows a front view of an exemplary transfemoral articulated prosthetic device in the “closed” position having socket frame coupled with an anterior positioned articulated surface having a compression actuator responsive to a compression channel in one embodiment thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways. The following descriptions are provided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of the present invention. These elements are listed with initial embodiments; however, it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments. The variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the present invention to only the explicitly described systems, techniques, and applications. Further, this description should be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.

The preset invention is directed to a novel articulated prosthetic device (1) and methods of using the same. Referring to the device of Figures 1-4, the articulated prosthetic device (1) of the invention can be formed by a socket frame (2) and an articulated surface (3), which can preferably be position on the anterior side of the prosthetic device (1) (sometimes referred to as the anterior articulated surface), and further configured such that the articulated surface (3) can be decoupled from the socket frame (2) and positioned in an “open” configuration as shown in Figures 1 and 3. As noted above, when the articulated prosthetic device (1) is configured in the “open” position the articulated surface (3) can be extended from the socket frame (2) allowing a user or assistant to view the internal cavity and suspension attachment (not shown) of the prosthetic device (1).

While the articulated prosthetic device (1) shown in the Figures demonstrated an exemplary transfemoral device, in alternative embodiments the invention comprises a socket frame including, but not be limited to: a transhumeral socket frame, a transradial socket frame; a transtibial socket frame, a symes socket frame, a hip disarticulation socket frame, a knee disarticulation socket frame, and a wrist disarticulation socket frame. Moreover, while a variety of materials can be contemplated for the articulated prosthetic device (1) of the invention, in one preferred embodiment, the socket frame (and articulated surface) can be selected from the group consisting of: a rigid socket frame, a plastic socket frame, a composite socket frame, a carbon fiber socket frame, a 3D-printed socket frame, and an acrylic laminate socket frame with a stiffening component.

To be placed in the “open” configuration, in a preferred embodiment the top portion of the articulated surface (3) can hinge down and away from the socket frame (2) thereby exposing the internal cavity of the prosthetic device (1). Conversely, to be placed in the “closed” configuration the top portion of the articulated surface (3) can hinge upward and towards from the socket frame (2) so as to cover the internal cavity of the prosthetic device (1), and can further be coupled to the socket frame (2) thereby securing the residual limb within the device (1). In one embodiment, the lower portion of the articulated surface (3) can be coupled with the lower surface of the socket frame (2), for example through a hinge joint (8), or other biased joint, such as a spring-loaded or slide joint, which can allow the forward and backward hinging motion of the articulated surface (3) away from, and towards the socket frame (3). In another embodiment, a side portion of the articulated surface (3) can be coupled with the side surface of the socket frame

(2), for example through a hinge joint (8), or other biased joint, such as a spring-loaded or slide joint, which can allow the side hinging motion of the articulated surface (3) away from, and towards the socket frame (3). As such, in one configuration, to be placed in the “open” configuration, the articulated surface (3) can hinge outward, being anchored to the bottom portion of to the socket frame (2) by, for example a hinge joint (8). In this embodiment, one or more couplers securing the surface (3) to the socket frame (2) can be disengaged from the top or sides and the articulated surface (3) can swing downward and away from the socket frame (2) thereby exposing the internal cavity of the prosthetic device (1). Conversely, to be placed in the “closed” configuration, the articulated surface (3) can hinge upward and towards from the socket frame (2) so as to cover the internal cavity of the prosthetic device (1), and can further be coupled to the socket frame (2) thereby securing the residual limb within the device (1).

In another configuration, to be placed in the “open” configuration, the articulated surface

(3) can hinge sideways, being anchored on one side to the socket frame (2), for example by a hinge joint (8) and the other side by a coupler (not shown). In this embodiment, the coupler can be disengaged and the articulated surface (3) can swing sideways and away from the socket frame (2) thereby exposing the internal cavity of the prosthetic device (1). Conversely, to be placed in the “closed” configuration, the articulated surface (3) can hinge inward from the side and towards the socket frame (2) so as to cover the internal cavity of the prosthetic device (1), and can further be coupled to the socket frame (2) thereby securing the residual limb within the device (1).

As noted above, the articulated surface (3) and can be separately removed or secured to the socket frame (2) by one or more couplers, such as a latch, a compression cord; a fastener, a slide coupler, a twist coupler, a snap coupler, or a combination of the same. In this embodiment, the articulated surface (3) can be decoupled from the socket device (2) and as described above, and hinged in such as manner so as to expose the internal cavity of the device (1).

In another preferred embodiment, the articulated surface (3) is disjoined from the socket frame (2), and can be separately removed or held in place by one or more couplers, such as a latch, a compression cord, a fastener, a slide coupler, a twist coupler, a snap coupler, or a combination of the same. In this embodiment, the articulated surface (3) can be decoupled from the socket device exposing the internal cavity of the device (1). Further, to be placed in the “open” configuration, the one or more couplers can be disengaged and the articulated surface (3) can be full disjoined and removed from the socket frame (2) thereby exposing the internal cavity of the prosthetic device (1). Conversely, to be placed in the “closed” configuration, the articulated surface (3) can be recoupled with the socket frame (2) so as to cover the internal cavity of the prosthetic device (1), thereby securing the residual limb within the device (1). In certain embodiments, the coupler can be adjustable so as to increase the inward pressure on the articulated surface (3) when placed against the residual limb which, as described below, can allow the adjustable coupling of the first and second mesh surfaces (9,10) of the articulated surface (3) and socket frame (2), respectively.

In another preferred embodiment, the articulated surface (3) is disjoined from the socket frame (2), and can be separately positioned in the “open” or “closed” positions by a disarticulated coupler system. As shown in the preferred embodiment in Figures 1-4, a disarticulated coupler system of the invention can include a compression actuator (4), such as a twist compression actuator like a Boa® cable actuator, configured to cause retraction of a cord (6) positioned with a compression channel (5) that can couple or decoupled the socket frame (2) and articulated surface (3).

In a preferred embodiment, one, or preferably a plurality of channel segments (12) can be positioned on the external surface of the socket frame (2) and articulated surface (3) forming a continuous or semi-continuous compression channel (5) that traverses the border (11) between the frame (2) and the articulated surface (3). For example, as shown in Figure 1, the channel segments (12) can be configured to be aligned at channel junctions (13) when the socket frame (2) and the articulated surface (3) are coupled together in the “closed” position. In this embodiment, a compression cord (6) can be be positioned within the compression channel(s) (5) and responsive to a compression actuator (4) allowing it to be retracted or extended.

In this preferred embodiment, the compression actuator (4) of the invention is configured to manually or automatically retract the compression cord (6) (also referred to herein as a cord). Retraction of the cord (6) generating an inward compressive force on the articulatable surface (3) causing it to be brought into contact and coupled with the socket frame (2). In this manner, the compression actuator (4) of the invention can generate an inward compressive forced to couple the articulated surface (3) to the socket frame (3), or be disengaged to generate sufficient slack in the cord (6) such that the articulated surface (3) can be extended away from the socket frame (2) into the “open” position.

In another preferred embodiment, the channel segments (12) of the invention form a single compression channel (5) that traverses the border (11) between the frame (2) and the articulated surface (3) on both sides of the prosthetic device (1). Moreover, the compression channel (5) includes anchor positions (7) formed by turns in the compression channel (5) on either side of the border (11) between the socket frame (2) and the articulated surface (3). In this configuration, retraction of the cord (6) by the compression actuator (4) caused an inward compressive force to be exerted on the articulated surface (3) such that is brought into contact with the socket frame (2). By releasing the compression actuator (4), the cord can be extended, and provides sufficient slack that the articulated surface (3) can be disjoined from the socket frame (2) in the “open” position. Notably, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1-4, the compression actuator (4) is responsive to a cord (6) positioned in a compression channel (5) that extends along the top surface of the articulated surface (3) and socket frame (2). In this configuration, the slack on the cord (6) generated when the compression actuator (4) is disengaged allows the top portion of the articulated surface (3) to swing downward into the “open” position while the cord (6) is still securing the bottom portion of the articulated surface (3) to the socket frame (2).

The articulated prosthetic device (1) of the invention can include an expandable coupling between the articulated surface (3) and socket frame (2). Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the invention includes a first mesh surface (9) that extends along the rear edge of the articulated surface. The first mesh surface (9) can have variable lengths and orientations, however in a preferred embodiment includes a flared surface on the top rear surface of the articulated surface (3) that narrows as it extends downward. The socket frame (2) of the invention includes a corresponding second mesh surface (10) that extends along the front interface surface of the socket.

As shown in Figures 1-2, the first mesh surface (9) and the second mesh surface (10) are configured to be interlocking so as to allow the articulated surface (3) to extend beyond the front surface of the fixed socket frame (2) generating a lateral compressive force against the residual limb. The extension of the articulated surface (3) beyond the front surface of the fixed socket frame (2) can be controlled by engagement of the compression actuator (4) causing retraction of the cord (6) generating an inward force further compressing the interlocking coupling between the articulated surface (3) and the front surface of the fixed socket frame (2). Because this coupling is tractable in the forward and backward direction, the first mesh surface (9) and second mesh surface (10) can slidably expand in response to changes in volume or movement of the secured residual limb while remaining secured to the user.

Naturally, all embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative and should not be construed to limit the scope of the inventive technology consistent with the broader inventive principles disclosed. As may be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present inventive technology may be embodied in a variety of ways. It generally involves systems, methods, techniques as well as devices to accomplish an improved articulated prosthetic device. In this application, the methods and apparatus for the aforementioned systems are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various devices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the statements of invention. As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate system. In this application, the techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various devices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.

The discussion included in this application is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention may be described in some instances in method-oriented terminology, each element of the claims corresponds to a device and vice versa. Apparatus claims may not only be included for the device described, but also method or process claims may be included to address the functions the invention and each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included in any subsequent patent application.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of this invention. A broad disclosure encompassing the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like are encompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting any claims. It should be understood that such language changes and broader or more detailed claiming may be accomplished at a later date (such as by any required deadline) or in the event the applicant subsequently seeks a patent filing based on this filing. With this understanding, the reader should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood to support any subsequently filed patent application that may seek examination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within the applicant's right and may be designed to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of the invention both independently and as an overall system.

Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used or implied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms — even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a “couple” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “coupling” — whether explicitly discussed or not — and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “coupling”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “coupling method and/or technique, and/or device.” Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.

Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this application for patent, such as in the specification or an IDS are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Any priority case(s) claimed by this application is hereby appended and hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with a broadly supporting interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in the Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Finally, all references listed in the list of References To Be Incorporated By Reference In Accordance With The Patent Application or other information disclosure statement and the like filed with the application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such information or statements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of this/these invention(s) such statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: i) each of the methods and/or apparatus for providing an articulated prosthetic device as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described as now applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, xi) the various combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed, xii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and every one of the independent claims or concepts presented, and xiii) all inventions described herein.

With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid great expansion of the examination burden, the applicant may at any time present only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with only initial dependencies. The office and any third persons interested in potential scope of this or subsequent applications should understand that broader claims may be presented at a later date in this case, in a case claiming the benefit of this case, or in any continuation in spite of any preliminary amendments, other amendments, claim language, or arguments presented, thus throughout the pendency of any case there is no intention to disclaim or surrender any potential subject matter. It should be understood that if or when broader claims are presented, such may require that any relevant prior art that may have been considered at any prior time may need to be re-visited since it is possible that to the extent any amendments, claim language, or arguments presented in this or any subsequent application are considered as made to avoid such prior art, such reasons may be eliminated by later presented claims or the like. Both the examiner and any person otherwise interested in existing or later potential coverage or considering if there has at any time been any possibility of an indication of disclaimer or surrender of potential coverage, should be aware that no such surrender or disclaimer is ever intended or ever exists in this or any subsequent application. Limitations such as arose in Hakim v. Cannon Avent Group, PLC, 479 F.3d 1313 (Fed. Cir 2007), or the like are expressly not intended in this or any subsequent related matter. In addition, support should be understood to exist to the degree required under new matter laws — including but not limited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws— to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whether in this application or in any subsequent application, it should also be understood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally encompassed such alternative embodiments.

Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase “comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible. It should be understood that this application also provides support for any combination of elements in the claims and even incorporates any desired proper antecedent basis for certain claim combinations such as with combinations of method, apparatus, process, and the like claims.

Any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon. The inventive subject matter is to include, but certainly not be limited as, a system substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the Figures and Description (including the following: for example, the process according to any claims and further comprising any of the steps as shown in any Figures, separately, in any combination or permutation).

Finally, Applicant reserves the right to seek additional design patent protections over the claimed invention; such that the drawings are fully enabled so as to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to know that the claimed design was in Applicant’ s possession at the time of filing. As such, it should be noted that any broken lines are to be included for the purpose of illustrating environmental matter and form no part of the claimed design should such become necessary.

Claims

What is claimed is

1. An articulated prosthetic device comprising:

- a socket frame having an articulated surface;

- a compression actuator;

- a plurality of channel segments forming a compression channel that traverses the border between the frame and the articulated surface;

- a cord positioned within said compression channel and responsive to said compression actuator;

- wherein said compression actuator is configured to retract said compression cord so as to couple the articulated surface with the frame; and

- wherein said compression actuator is configured to release said compression cord so as to decouple the articulated surface from the frame allowing the articulated surface to be extended.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said articulated surface comprises an articulatable anterior surface.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said socket frame comprises a socket frame selected from: a transfemoral socket frame, a transhumeral socket frame, a transradial socket frame, a transtibial socket frame, a symes socket frame, a hip disarticulation socket frame, a knee disarticulation socket frame, and a wrist disarticulation socket frame.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said socket frame comprises a socket frame selected from the group consisting of: a rigid socket frame, a plastic socket frame, a composite socket frame, a carbon fiber socket frame, a 3D-printed socket frame, and an acrylic laminate socket frame with a stiffening component.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said compression actuator comprises a twist compression actuator.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said articulated surface comprises a first mesh joint.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said socket frame comprise a second mesh joint.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said channel segments comprises channel junctions formed along the border between the socket frame and the articulated surface.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said compression channel comprises a plurality of anchor positions.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said channel segments are integral with the socket frame and the articulated surface.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said compression actuator is positioned on said articulated surface.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of independent compression actuators each responsive to a cord positioned with at least one compression channel.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a hinge joint connecting said socket frame and said articulated surface.

14. A method of using an articulated prosthetic device comprising:

- establishing a socket frame having an articulated surface having a plurality of channel segments forming a compression channel that traverses the border between the frame and the articulated surface;

- positioning a cord within said compression channel and responsive to a compression actuator;

- engaging said compression actuator causing said compression cord to:

- retract and thereby coupling the articulated surface with said socket frame; - release thereby decoupling the articulated surface from the frame and allowing the articulated surface to be extended; and

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said articulated surface comprises an articulatable anterior surface.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising laterally securing a residual limb within the socket frame when said articulated surface with said socket frame are coupled.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising laterally removing a residual limb from the socket frame when said articulated surface with said socket frame are decoupled.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising adjusting said compression actuator to adjust the position of the articulated surface against a residual limb.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein said socket frame comprises a socket frame selected from: transfemoral socket frame, a transhumeral socket frame, a transradial socket frame, a transtibial socket frame, a symes socket frame, a hip disarticulation socket frame, a knee disarticulation socket frame, and a wrist disarticulation socket frame.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein said socket frame comprises a socket frame selected from the group consisting of: a rigid socket frame; a plastic socket frame; a composite socket frame; a carbon fiber socket frame; a 3D-printed socket frame; and an acrylic laminate socket frame with a stiffening component.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein said engaging said compression actuator comprises engaging a twist compression actuator.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of coupling or decoupling comprises coupling or decoupling a first mesh joint on said articulated surface with a second mesh joint on said socket frame.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein said channel segments comprises channel junctions formed along the border between the socket frame and the articulated surface.

25. The method of claim 14, wherein said compression channel comprises a plurality of anchor positions.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein said channel segments are integral with the socket frame and the articulated surface.

27. The method of claim 14, wherein said compression actuator is positioned on said articulated surface.

28. The method of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of independent compression actuators each responsive to a cord positioned with at least one compression channel.

29. An articulated prosthetic device comprising a socket frame having an articulated surface securable to said socket frame by a coupler, wherein said articulated surface can be coupled or decoupled from said socket frame thereby allowing the lateral placement or removal of a residual limb from the socket.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein said articulated surface comprises an articulatable anterior surface.

31. The device of claim 29, wherein said coupler comprises a coupler selected from: a latch, a compression cord; a fastener, a slide coupler, a twist coupler, a snap coupler, or a combination of the same.

32. The device of claim 29, wherein said socket frame comprises a socket frame selected from: transfemoral socket frame, a transhumeral socket frame, a transradial socket frame, a transtibial socket frame, a symes socket frame, a hip disarticulation socket frame, a knee disarticulation socket frame, and a wrist disarticulation socket frame.

33. The device of claim 29, wherein said socket frame comprises a socket frame selected from the group consisting of: a rigid socket frame; a plastic socket frame; a composite socket frame; a carbon fiber socket frame; a 3D-printed socket frame; and an acrylic laminate socket frame with a stiffening component.

34. The device of claim 29, wherein said coupler comprises an adjustable coupler comprising:

- a compression actuator;

- a plurality of channel segments forming a compression channel that traverses the border between the frame and the articulated surface;

- a cord positioned within said compression channel and responsive to said compression actuator;

- wherein said compression actuator is configured to retract said compression cord so as to couple the articulated surface with the frame; and

- wherein said compression actuator is configured to release said compression cord so as to decouple the articulated surface from the frame allowing the articulated surface to be extended.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein said compression actuator comprises a twist compression actuator.

36. The device of claim 34, wherein said articulated surface comprises a first mesh joint.

37. The device of claim 34, wherein said socket frame comprise a second mesh joint.

38. The device of claim 34, wherein said channel segments comprises channel junctions formed along the border between the socket frame and the articulated surface.

39. The device of claim 34, wherein said compression channel comprises a plurality of anchor positions.

40. The device of claim 34, wherein said channel segments are integral with the socket frame and the articulated surface.

41. The device of claim 34, wherein said compression actuator is positioned on said articulated surface. 42. The device of claim 34, further comprising a plurality of independent compression actuators each responsive to a cord positioned with at least one compression channel.

43. The device of claim 29, further comprising a hinge joint connecting said socket frame and said articulated surface.