Method for connecting at least two structural parts of an orthopedic component and orthopedic component having at least two structural parts

Abstract

A method for connecting at least two structural parts of an orthopedic component, wherein the structural parts are retained in an orienting device while oriented in relation to each other, an intermediate space thus being formed between the structural parts. The orienting device and the structural parts together form a cavity, which has a flow connection to at least one feed connection, via which an adhesive for adhesively bonding the structural parts is introduced into the cavity.

1 . A method for connecting structural parts of an orthopedic component, the method comprising:
 retaining the structural parts in an orienting device while orienting the structural parts relative to each other with an intermediate space formed between the structural parts;   fluidly connecting at least one feed connection to a hollow space formed between the orienting device and the structural parts;   introducing an adhesive through at least one feed connection into the hollow space to adhesively bond the structural parts.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the structural parts are held oriented relative to each other until the adhesive has cured. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the structural parts is embedded in the adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the structural parts is pressed against the orienting device. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hollow space is sealed off with the exception of the feed connection and an outlet channel by holding the structural parts with the orienting device. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is introduced into the hollow space via at least one feed device, the at least one feed device remains on the orienting device until the adhesive is cured, and is then removed. 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the orienting device remains connected to the structural parts after the adhesive bonding. 
     
     
         8 . An orthopedic component, comprising:
 structural parts which are adhesively bonded to one another at a distance from one another;   an orienting device configured to orient the structural parts relative to each other, the orienting device comprising spacers which space apart the structural parts from each other, the orienting device being adhesively bonded to the structural parts.   
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The orthopedic component as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the orienting device has at least one insertion opening for at least one structural part and the shape of the insertion opening corresponds to a contour of the structural part. 
     
     
         11 . The orthopedic component as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the structural parts comprise leaf springs. 
     
     
         12 . The orthopedic component as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the structural parts is surrounded on a plurality of sides by the adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . The orthopedic component as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein at least one connection channel is formed in the orienting device, the at least one connection channel connecting two hollow spaces provided between the structural parts and the orienting device, the hollow spaces being separated by one of the structural parts. 
     
     
         14 . The orthopedic component as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the orthopedic component is a prosthetic foot or an orthotic component. 
     
     
         15 . The orthopedic component as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the orienting device bears against or surrounds at least one of the structural parts on at least three sides. 
     
     
         16 . The orthopedic component as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the structural parts comprise fiber-reinforced plastics components. 
     
     
         17 . The orthopedic component as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the orienting device comprises a functional component. 
     
     
         18 . The orthopedic component as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the adhesive comprises a resilient material. 
     
     
         19 . A method for connecting structural parts of an orthopedic component, the method comprising:
 orienting the structural parts relative to each other with an intermediate space provided therebetween;   retaining the structural parts oriented relative to each other with an orienting device, the orienting device and the structural parts together forming a hollow space;   delivering an adhesive to the hollow space with at least one feed connection, the adhesive providing an adhesive bond between the structural parts.   
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the orienting device holds the structural parts oriented relative to each other until the adhesive has cured. 
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the structural parts is embedded in the adhesive.