Lower leg prosthesis

a lower leg and prosthesis technology, applied in the field of lower leg prosthesis, can solve the problems of limited upward deflection of the heel section of the foot plate, and achieve the effects of improving inversion/eversion compliance, and improving the dynamic feel of the heel strik
US20020128727A1Inactive Publication Date: 2002-09-12OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE IP GMBH & CO KG
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE IP GMBH & CO KG
Publication Date
2002-09-12
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

An improved lower leg prosthesis is disclosed that, during use, provides an improved dynamic feel at heel strike and that provides improved inversion / eversion compliance. The prosthesis includes an elongated pylon having an upper, generally vertical section and a lower, forwardly oriented foot section, and it further includes a generally horizontally oriented foot plate disposed beneath the pylon and including a heel section projecting a substantial distance rearwardly of a vertical pylon axis. An elastomeric layer is interposed between the pylon and the foot plate, extending along substantially the entire length of the heel section of the foot plate, for attaching the pylon and foot plate together. During use of the prosthesis, at heel strike, upward deflection of the foot plate's heel section is limited in substantial part both by the stiffness of the heel section, itself, and by compression of the portion of the elastomeric layer disposed rearwardly of the vertical pylon axis.
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Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to lower leg prostheses and, more particularly, to lower leg prostheses configured to duplicate the dynamic performance characteristics of the human foot and ankle.

[0002] Significant advancements in the field of lower leg prostheses have been made in recent years, due largely to the development of composite materials technology. Lower leg prostheses incorporating fiberglass / epoxy and carbon fiber / epoxy composite materials have been developed, which closely duplicate the dynamic performance characteristics of the human foot and ankle.

[0003] One such lower leg prosthesis is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,073 issued to Merlette. The Merlette prosthesis incorporates an elongated composite main member having a leg section and a forwardly extending foot section, and it further incorporates a heel member projecting rearwardly from the underside of the main member's foot section. A high-density polyurethane elastomer is di...

Claims

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