Transfemoral Prosthetic Knee Ankle Synchronization Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional prosthetic and orthotic devices lack advanced control systems that can synchronize and coordinate the movement of multiple devices, leading to instability, high energy expenditure, and gait deviations in users, particularly for leg prostheses and orthoses, due to their passive nature and lack of interaction with dynamic environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A self-powered prosthetic or orthotic system with a sensor and control system that mimics the natural movement of a healthy ankle, featuring a foot unit, actuator, and attachment member to actively adjust angles and synchronize with other devices, using sensors and actuators to monitor and adjust movement based on real-time data for stable and coordinated locomotion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional passive prosthetic devices are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but movement stability and energy efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control systems that continuously monitor user movement, environmental conditions, and device performance, then automatically adjust prosthetic behavior. Sensors detect gait phase, terrain characteristics, and force application, feeding this information to controllers that modulate actuator output in real-time, creating a closed-loop system that enhances stability while managing complexity through intelligent control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthetic system performs self-adjustment and self-optimization without requiring constant user intervention. The control system autonomously configures device parameters, synchronizes multiple prosthetics, and adapts to changing conditions based on sensor data, reducing the cognitive and physical burden on the user while maintaining high performance.
2Reliability
If multiple prosthetic devices operate independently, then device independence is maintained, but coordinated movement and synchronization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent prosthetic control systems into a unified networked architecture. Controllers from different prosthetic devices communicate through wireless or wired connections, sharing sensor data and coordinating actuator commands to achieve synchronized movement patterns. This integration enables bilateral coordination, gait symmetry, and balanced weight distribution while managing communication and synchronization protocols.
3Adaptability or versatility
If basic controllers are used without environmental interaction, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to dynamic conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system transitions from static, pre-programmed behavior to dynamic, real-time adaptation. Sensors continuously monitor environmental variables such as terrain slope, surface friction, and obstacles, while actuators adjust their output characteristics on-the-fly. The system modifies gait parameters, force application timing, and joint moment generation dynamically to optimize performance across varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time modification of control parameters including actuator force magnitude, activation timing, pulse duration, and joint stiffness based on environmental feedback. The system adjusts these parameters adaptively to match terrain requirements, user intent, and physiological state, enabling versatile performance across diverse operating conditions while managing parameter complexity through structured control algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments of the invention relate to increasing the functionality of a transfemoral prosthetic device. In one embodiment, the transfemoral prosthetic device is configured such that the prosthetic knee maintains a load consistent with a healthy knee walking on level ground, while the prosthetic ankle adjusts for the incline or decline. In certain embodiments, adjustments, such as a toe lift function, are automatically performed after about three strides of the transfemoral prosthetic device user and/or when each of the strides has a stride speed of at least about 0.55 meters/second.