707results about "Artificial legs" patented technology

Artificial limbs and joints which behave like a biological limbs and joints employ a synthetic actuator which consume negligible power when exerting zero force, consume negligible power when outputting force at constant length (isometric) and while performing dissipative, nonconservative work, are capable of independently engaging flexion and extension tendon-like, series springs, are capable of independently varying joint position and stiffness, and exploit series elasticity for mechanical power amplification.

A prosthetic joint system for users comprising a housing having an interior cavity, a center axis in said interior cavity, and an attachment means for fixedly connecting said housing to said user; an inner cylinder disposed in said housing interior cavity wherein said inner cylinder rotates around said center axis of said housing; an appendage attached to said inner cylinder; a sensor system attached to said appendage; and a dampening system, having a power source, in communication with said sensor system, said inner cylinder, and said housing for controlling dampening of the rotation of said inner cylinder around said center axis of said housing.

A prosthetic joint system for users comprising a housing having an interior cavity, a center axis in said interior cavity, and an attachment means for fixedly connecting said housing to said user; an inner cylinder disposed in said housing interior cavity wherein said inner cylinder rotates around said center axis of said housing; an appendage attached to said inner cylinder; a sensor system attached to said appendage; and a dampening system, having a power source, in communication with said sensor system, said inner cylinder, and said housing for controlling dampening of the rotation of said inner cylinder around said center axis of said housing.

An Active Ankle Foot Orthosis (AAFO) is provided where the impedance of an orthotic joint is modulated throughout the walking cycle to treat ankle foot gait pathology, such as drop foot gait. During controlled plantar flexion, a biomimetic torsional spring control is applied where orthotic joint stiffness is actively adjusted to minimize forefoot collisions with the ground. Throughout late stance, joint impedance is minimized so as not to impede powered plantar flexion movements, and during the swing phase, a torsional spring-damper (PD) control lifts the foot to provide toe clearance. To assess the clinical effects of variable-impedance control, kinetic and kinematic gait data were collected on two drop foot participants wearing the AAFO. It has been found that actively adjusting joint impedance reduces the occurrence of slap foot, allows greater powered plantar flexion, and provides for less kinematic difference during swing when compared to normals.

There is provided a joint device for an artificial leg, which makes it possible to dramatically achieve reduction of the weight of a power source and an increase in duration of the same, as well as facilitates knee bending/stretching motion, toe-up motion, and kicking motion. The joint device has an above-knee member and an under-knee member spaced from each other. Three expansible links are connected between the above-knee member and the under-knee member, for accumulating energy generated by the weight of a user's body acting on the artificial leg, and operating by releasing the accumulated energy to actuate the under-knee member into joint motion.

The present invention relates to a variable-torque magnetorheologically actuated prosthetic knee which utilizes a plurality of interspersed and alternating rotors and stators to shear magnetorheological fluid in gaps formed therebetween. Advantageously, by operating in the "shear mode" there is substantially no or negligible fluid pressure buildup or change. Moreover, the multiple MR fluid gaps or flux interfaces desirably allow for the production of a large torque at low speed-eliminating the need for a transmission-and also for a wide dynamic torque range. One embodiment of the invention allows the rotors and/or stators to close the gaps therebetween to create a frictional torque component, thereby forming a "hybrid" braking system which provides a total torque or damping which is a combination of viscous torque and frictional torque.

A medical foot implant (1) with a fastening section (2) for fixing the foot implant (1) to two adjacent bones or bone segments and with a wedge section (3). The wedge section (3) has an end-side tip (12), in a plan view at least approximately punctiform, for easier introduction of the foot implant (1) into bone or into tarsometatarsal joint.

A device in a leg prosthesis which via a pivot axle is connected to the leg prosthesis, wherein first means are arranged to permit a limited rotation of the foot with respect to the leg prosthesis from an initial position, in which the leg prosthesis and the foot have a certain angle with respect to each other and second means are arranged to permit a stepless adjustment of the angle between the prosthesis and the foot in the initial position.

An artificial knee joint including a femoral component and a tibial component which are in relation of making relative rotation, in which the tibial component has a post that has an outwardly curving posterior surface and is disposed approximately in the longitudinal center between the articular surfaces so that the post is inside an intercondylar groove that is between the medial and lateral condyles and extends from the posterior end to the anterior end of the femoral component; and the femoral component has a cam that is disposed at the posterior portion of the intercondylar groove and comes into contact with the posterior surface of the post when the above-described rotation proceeds; and the post and the cam are shaped so that the femoral component is turned outwardly when the cam comes into contact with the post as a result of the rotation and as the rotation proceeds.

A prosthetic foot comprises a foot member, a rocker member connected in cantilever fashion to the foot member, and an ankle module movably connected to the rocker member about an axis, wherein an anterior section of the rocker member is configured to roll-up onto the foot member an amount corresponding to the load applied on the foot, and wherein the foot member is configured to facilitate the initial roll-up of the rocker member.

System and method for adjusting the angle of a prosthetic ankle are disclosed. In one example, the system, such as an actuated prosthetic ankle joint, detects the surface angle and actively adjusts the members of the ankle to a preferred angle according to the respective slope of the incline/decline.

A closed loop brain-machine interface is disclosed. The closed loop brain-machine interface translates one or more neural signals into a movement, or a series of movements, performed by a machine. The close-loop brain-machine interface also provides sensory feedback to the subject. Methods of employing the closed loop brain-machine interface are also disclosed.

Electro-rheological fluid brake or actuator devices provide controllable resistance with or without inclusion of active torque output in either direction of rotation under manual or computer control. The brake and actuator devices are suitable for use in an orthotic device for a joint, such as the knee or elbow.

There are provided an artificial joint device that can realize an artificial limb enabling twisting motion without a drive source, and when with the drive source, reduce the size and costs of the device, and a parallel linkage that can realize the device. The linkage connects a foot portion and a mounting plate spaced from each other. A fixed link has one end fixed to the plate, and the other end connected to the foot portion via a ball joint, making the angle of the fixed link relative to the foot portion changeable in any direction. Expansible links extend between the foot portion and the plate in an expansible/contractible manner and each have opposite ends connected to the plate and the foot portion via respective upper and lower ball joints, making respective angles thereof relative to the foot portion and the plate changeable in any direction.

Articulating devices for replacing damaged or degenerated weight bearing joints are provided. The devices may have two or more surfaces that articulate against one another that are coated or fully formed of PEEK or similar materials to provide improved wear capabilities while maintaining sufficient strength to operate in a weight bearing capacity.

A positioning and buffering device of a knee joint for artificial limb is disclosed. The device comprises a knee cap head, an interlinking device including two arch plates, a buffering device including an interlinking rod, an interlinking support and a hydraulic cylinder; a spring device having a spring and a spring support; and a knee cap body module. The knee cap body is used to connect to the thigh and the lower edge of the knee cap body is for connection to the shank and the leg bottom portion. By means of the interlinking rod and the linking support, when the leg is stretched or is standing, a pressure exerted changes the angle between the interlinking rod and the interlinking support such that the knee joint is at a fixed position, the shank will not bent or knee down and the buffering device will produce a buffering and shock absorbing effect.

A prosthesis system including a ventilated shell, and a substantially compliant, ventilated spacer element that defines a first surface having a frictional feature. The spacer element is arranged to secure to an internal surface of the shell. The prosthesis system also includes a connector that is secured to a distal end of the shell, and a retainer supported by the connector so as to extend into a cavity formed by the shell.

A fixation device and method for attaching an external prosthesis to a bone. The fixation device includes a main body having a compliant portion operable to be expanded and contracted. The main body has a first end fixedly retained in the bone and a second end coupled to an extension for receiving the external prosthesis. The main body and the extension define respectively first and second engagement surfaces for constraining a bone graft therebetween.

A leg prosthesis adapted to a thigh stump includes an adapter (2) for a knee joint (3), a knee joint (3) mounted on this adapter, and a prosthetic lower leg (4) coupled to the knee joint (3). A prosthetic foot (5) is attached to this prosthetic lower leg and can pivot into a toes-raised foot position. The knee joint (3) upon transition from the extended position to the bent position performs a combined rolling-sliding movement about a pivot axis (6). A force-transmitting element (8) moves the prosthetic foot (5) substantially from the toes-down foot position to the toes-raised foot position during bending of the knee joint (3). Each bending position of the knee joint is transformed by a converter into an unambiguous electrical signal, which is supplied to a programmable control device, which generates a signal used to control an electrically adjustable actuator, which increases or decreases the resistance of the knee joint against or for further bending according to the signal.

Disclosed are adjustable powered rehabilitation devices and methods for using the same to rehabilitate and/or train a user. The rehabilitation devices preferably have a plurality of selectable power settings that correspond to one or more rehabilitation-oriented actions or functions of the rehabilitation devices. For example, the power of the rehabilitation device may be selected based on a need, ability, muscle-power and/or physiological characteristics of the user. For instance, a rehabilitation device may be operated at a relatively low power setting to allow a patient to use his or her own muscle power when moving with the rehabilitation device. The rehabilitation device may also include an adjustable sensitivity level that corresponds to a user difficulty in triggering a particular rehabilitation-oriented action. The powered rehabilitation device may also temporarily be used to train a user in interacting with a passive or more conventional prosthetic device.

A device and system for controlling an actuated prosthesis. The device includes a data signal input for each of the main artificial proprioceptors. Also, means for obtaining a first and a second derivative signal for at least some of the data signals, and means for obtaining a third derivative signal for at least one of the data signals. A set of first state machines, and means for generating the phase of locomotion portion using the states of the main artificial proprioceptors, and a second state machine as also included. The system includes a plurality of main artificial proprioceptors as well as means for obtaining a first and a second derivative signal for at least some of the data signals, and means for obtaining a third derivative signal for at least one of the data signals. Also, a set of first state machines, a second state machine, means for storing a lookup table, means for determining actual coefficient values from the lookup table, means for calculating at least one dynamic parameter value of the actuated prosthesis using the lookup table and at least some of the data signals, and means for converting the dynamic parameter value into an output signal to control the actuated prosthesis.

The invention discloses a lower limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robot in the technical field of medical equipment. The lower limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robot comprises an ankle joint motion module, a knee joint motion module, a hip joint motion module, a hip and support module and a crutch module, wherein one end of the knee joint motion module is connected with the ankle joint motion module, and the other end of the knee joint motion module is connected with the hip joint motion module; the hip and support module is connected with the hip joint motion module; and the crutch module is independent of an exoskeleton body. The lower limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robot can help patients who suffer from paraplegia stand up and walk, and the bend and stretch motion of a knee joint and a hip joint is controlled by collecting contact information of a crutch and the ground so as to help the patients to stride; and an oppositely-pulled spring of the knee joint can help to reduce impact from the ground, so that patients can walk comfortably, and the efficiency of rehabilitation training is improved.

Abstract of Disclosure A simple, inexpensive prosthetic foot is provided incorporating a cushioned ankle including an ankle block formed of a resilient material or bladder having desired compliance and energy return characteristics. The ankle block is sandwiched between a foot element and an ankle element. One or more openings extends through the ankle block with a substantially transverse orientation relative to a forward walking motion. The size and shape of these openings, as well as the insertion of different types of stiffeners therein, provide desired performance characteristics to the ankle block. When the ankle block takes the form of one or more inflatable bladders, the pressure within these bladders is individually controlled by valves to provide desired performance characteristics to different portions of the prosthetic foot. A pump system can also be used to control and generate fluid pressure into these bladders. A preferred pump system generates fluid pressure based upon the movement of the amputee onto two telescoping pylons that are connected to the prosthetic foot.

A prosthetic socket is fitted at a distance from its distal end with an annular chamber. This annular chamber is closed by a contour-conforming sealing wall facing the inner side of the prosthetic socket, said wall being designed to hermetically rest against the outer side of a residual limb. The space between the contour-conforming wall and the hard prosthetic socket is vented to atmosphere, whereby self-enhancing compression by the sealing wall against a residual limb arises when a partial vacuum arises in the distal prosthetic socket between the wall and the distal end. A liner having a sealing wall also is disclosed.

A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Some segments may provide movement about more than one axis using a single actuator. The prosthetic arm apparatus may include a user interface incorporated therein and may include one or more communication systems for communicating with external devices.

A vacuum pump having shock absorption and controlled rotation for use in an artificial limb. The pump includes a housing having a first chamber, and a shaft configured to be received by and to reciprocate within the first chamber, the housing and shaft forming a pump chamber. A piston may be coupled to the shaft and positioned within the pump chamber, and intake and exhaust ports are fluidly coupled to the pump chamber. Rotational structure is mounted with respect to the pump to provide controlled rotation of the shaft relative to the housing, and shock absorption structure is included within the pump to provide shock absorption for the shaft. Both a pneumatic spring and a mechanical spring element may be provided for the shock absorption structure. An optional adapter couples the shaft to the pylon of an integral pylon prosthetic foot.

Systems and methods for sensing actuating a prosthetic ankle are disclosed. In one example, the system, such as an actuated prosthetic ankle joint, detects that the user has moved to a relaxed position, such as sitting, reclining, crawling, or leaning. In response, the actuated prosthetic ankle joint actively adjusts the angle between the members of the ankle to a relaxed state. The system may further detect when the user has moved to exit the relaxed position, and may actively adjust the angle between the members of the ankle to an exit state.

A semi-actuated above knee prosthetic system, which is mostly passive in nature and includes a shank link coupled to an artificial foot, a knee mechanism connected to the shank link and a thigh link attached to an above-knee remaining lower limb of an amputee, is operable in either an actuated mode or an un-actuated mode controlled by a signal processor linked to various prosthetic mounted sensors. In the actuated mode, power is delivered to a torque generator connected to the knee mechanism to cause a forced movement between the thigh and shank links. In the un-actuated mode, a control circuit operates in a non-powered manner to allow operation of the knee mechanism with modulated resistance. Power is delivered through an electric motor connected to a battery source and employed to drive a hydraulic pump which is part of an overall hydraulic power unit including the torque generator.

The invention relates to a prosthetic socket for a residual limb of the lower extremity or upper extremity of an individual person. The residual limb has particular dimensions and anatomical contours; the prosthetic socket has dimensions and contours that fit the dimensions and contours of the residual limb. The prosthetic socket may also fit in a manner that is biomechanically particularly appropriate for the individual. The prosthetic socket is an assembly of components from groups of components that include (a) struts arranged longitudinally with respect to the residual limb, (b) proximal brim members arranged proximally to the struts and connected thereto; and (c) distal socket members disposed at the distal base of the prosthetic socket. The socket components within these groups may be modular in that they can vary with respect to dimensions and/or contours, and yet have common connecting features that permit assembly of the components together to form the prosthetic socket.

A link extends between a distal member and a proximal member of a wearable device, such as an exoskeleton, orthosis or prosthesis for a human lower limb. One or other of the distal member and the proximal member includes a crossing member. The link extends from the crossing member of the distal member or the proximal member, to the other of the distal member or the proximal member. Actuation of the link translates to a force at the distal or proximal member that is normal to a major longitudinal axis extending through the distal and proximal members. In one embodiment, a sliding link of a device configured for use with a human joint tracks two degrees of freedom of the joint.