Abstract: An implantable modular plate system for stabilizing adjacent vertebral bodies in a cervical spine includes at least two plate segments aligned or connected together so as to form a connection at and along adjacent ends. At least one of the plate segments includes a flange at an engagement end and at least one of the plate segments including a flange recess at an engagement end, the flange being configured for overlay engagement with the flange recess when the at least two plate segments are engaged. The plate segments are pivotable out of plane with one another at a common axis of rotation traversing overlapping portions of the adjacent ends and are constrained from rotation by the flanges such that the rotation of each plate segment is limited to up to 90 degrees of rotation away from the contact surfaces of the flange and flange recess.

Abstract: An implantable modular plate system for stabilizing adjacent vertebral bodies in a cervical spine includes at least two plate segments aligned or connected together so as to form a connection at and along adjacent ends. At least one of the plate segments includes a flange at an engagement end and at least one of the plate segments including a flange recess at an engagement end, the flange being configured for overlay engagement with the flange recess when the at least two plate segments are engaged. The plate segments are pivotable out of plane with one another at a common axis of rotation traversing overlapping portions of the adjacent ends and are constrained from rotation by the flanges such that the rotation of each plate segment is limited to up to 90 degrees of rotation away from the contact surfaces of the flange and flange recess.

Abstract: An implantable modular plate system for stabilizing adjacent vertebral bodies in a cervical spine includes at least two plate segments aligned or connected together so as to form a connection at and along adjacent ends. At least one of the plate segments includes a flange at an engagement end and at least one of the plate segments including a flange recess at an engagement end, the flange being configured for overlay engagement with the flange recess when the at least two plate segments are engaged. The plate segments are pivotable out of plane with one another at a common axis of rotation traversing overlapping portions of the adjacent ends and are constrained from rotation by the flanges such that the rotation of each plate segment is limited to up to 90 degrees of rotation away from the contact surfaces of the flange and flange recess.

Abstract: Powered limb prostheses with multi-stage transmissions are provided.

Abstract: A prosthetic includes a pair of prosthetic members movably coupled together to allow movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another. A hydraulic actuator or damper including hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic chamber is coupled to one of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic piston is movably disposed in the hydraulic chamber and coupled to another of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic flow channel is fluidly coupled between opposite sides of the chamber to allow hydraulic fluid to move between the opposite sides of the chamber as the hydraulic piston moves therein. A voice coil valve is coupled to the hydraulic flow channel to vary resistance to flow of hydraulic fluid through the flow channel, and thus movement of the piston in the chamber, and thus influencing a rate of movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another.

Abstract: Described here are prosthetic systems, devices, and methods of use therefor. Generally, a prosthesis may be configured to set a resistance to rotation of a prosthetic joint based on a phase of gait. The prosthesis may include a first cylinder, a first piston slidable within the first cylinder, a fluid sump, and a fluid circuit. The fluid circuit may include a plurality of interconnected fluid channels having a unidirectional variable-resistance valve and a set of check valves that are configured to provide unidirectional flow through the valve during piston compression and extension.

Abstract: A prosthetic ankle includes a pair of prosthetic members movably coupled together to allow movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another. A hydraulic actuator or damper including hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic chamber is coupled to one of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic piston is movably disposed in the hydraulic chamber and coupled to another of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic flow channel is fluidly coupled between opposite sides of the chamber to allow hydraulic fluid to move between the opposite sides of the chamber as the hydraulic piston moves therein. A voice coil valve is coupled to the hydraulic flow channel to vary resistance to flow of hydraulic fluid through the flow channel, and thus movement of the piston in the chamber, and thus influencing a rate of movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another.

Abstract: Powered limb prostheses with multi-stage transmissions are provided.

Abstract: A prosthetic ankle includes a pair of prosthetic members movably coupled together to allow movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another. A hydraulic actuator or damper including hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic chamber is coupled to one of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic piston is movably disposed in the hydraulic chamber and coupled to another of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic flow channel is fluidly coupled between opposite sides of the chamber to allow hydraulic fluid to move between the opposite sides of the chamber as the hydraulic piston moves therein. A voice coil valve is coupled to the hydraulic flow channel to vary resistance to flow of hydraulic fluid through the flow channel, and thus movement of the piston in the chamber, and thus influencing a rate of movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another.

Abstract: A prosthetic ankle includes a pair of prosthetic members movably coupled together to allow movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another. A hydraulic actuator or damper including hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic chamber is coupled to one of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic piston is movably disposed in the hydraulic chamber and coupled to another of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic flow channel is fluidly coupled between opposite sides of the chamber to allow hydraulic fluid to move between the opposite sides of the chamber as the hydraulic piston moves therein. A voice coil valve is coupled to the hydraulic flow channel to vary resistance to flow of hydraulic fluid through the flow channel, and thus movement of the piston in the chamber, and thus influencing a rate of movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another.

Abstract: A prosthetic includes a pair of prosthetic members movably coupled together to allow movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another. A hydraulic actuator or damper including hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic chamber is coupled to one of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic piston is movably disposed in the hydraulic chamber and coupled to another of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic flow channel is fluidly coupled between opposite sides of the chamber to allow hydraulic fluid to move between the opposite sides of the chamber as the hydraulic piston moves therein. A voice coil valve is coupled to the hydraulic flow channel to vary resistance to flow of hydraulic fluid through the flow channel, and thus movement of the piston in the chamber, and thus influencing a rate of movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another.

Abstract: A range of motion (ROM) prosthetic foot and passive dampening ankle joint have limited dorsiflexion-plantarflexion (up and down) pivoting to accommodate different environments, and a spring to provide resilient resistance to plantarflexion (or lowering of the toe), and to bias the foot in dorsiflexion (or raising the toe). The ankle joint has a rear pivot rearward of a hydraulic link for a smooth feel. The ankle joint has an internal bumper in a hydraulic cylinder for a smooth feel. The ankle joint has an internal hydraulic compensator disposed in the cylinder and carried by the piston to equalize volume.

Abstract: A prosthetic includes a pair of prosthetic members movably coupled together to allow movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another. A hydraulic actuator or damper including hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic chamber is coupled to one of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic piston is movably disposed in the hydraulic chamber and coupled to another of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic flow channel is fluidly coupled between opposite sides of the chamber to allow hydraulic fluid to move between the opposite sides of the chamber as the hydraulic piston moves therein. A voice coil valve is coupled to the hydraulic flow channel to vary resistance to flow of hydraulic fluid through the flow channel, and thus movement of the piston in the chamber, and thus influencing a rate of movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a load and moment sensor for a prosthetic device detecting load in a single direction and moment in a single plane. The load and moment sensor includes a sensing element, and a plurality of strain gauges placed in specific locations of the sensing element. The plurality of strain gauges is part of a plurality of resistor circuits such as Wheatstone bridges. While the strain gauges can be located on a single sensing element, some resistive elements of the Wheatstone bridges can be located elsewhere on the prosthetic device. The combination of the location of the strain gauges and the use of the Wheatstone bridges allows for good side load rejection which is load and moment not in the single direction or the single plane.

Abstract: A range of motion (ROM) prosthetic foot and passive dampening ankle joint have limited dorsiflexion-plantarflexion (up and down) pivoting to accommodate different environments, and a spring to provide resilient resistance to plantarflexion (or lowering of the toe), and to bias the foot in dorsiflexion (or raising the toe). The ankle joint has a rear pivot rearward of a hydraulic link for a smooth feel. The ankle joint has an internal bumper in a hydraulic cylinder for a smooth feel. The ankle joint has an internal hydraulic compensator disposed in the cylinder and carried by the piston to equalize volume.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a prosthetic device with multiple levels of functionality enabled through multiple control systems. The microprocessor-controlled prosthetic device stores a plurality of programmable control systems, such as a beginner control system, an intermediate control system, and an advanced control system. Based on a medical professional's assessment, the prosthetic device is programmed to operate under a programmable control system suitable to the capability level of the amputee. The microprocessor-controlled prosthetic device can be re-programmed to operate under another programmable control system as the capability level of the amputee changes. A new amputee should operate under a beginner control system, which provides high stability and low functionality. The high stability, low functionality combination provides high predictability, which helps the new amputee build confidence and trust in the prosthetic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prosthetic device including a prosthetic joint which accurately transitions between a loose mode and a stiff mode to more accurately mimic a human gait. The prosthetic joint includes a state controller which utilizes a sensor to detect prosthetic joint movement data, and compares it with prosthetic joint movement decision values to determine when a solenoid should be energized to place the prosthetic joint in the loose mode. An optimization unit connects to the prosthetic joint in a prosthetic joint system. The optimization unit generates a plurality of data files containing prosthetic joint movement data corresponding to an amputee walking without stumbling. By iteratively analyzing the prosthetic joint movement data, the optimization unit adjusts the prosthetic joint movement decision values to ensure that the prosthetic joint does not prematurely enter a stumble recovery state.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot device has an elongate forefoot spring carried by a fastener and suspended between upper and lower bumpers. A heel spring is suspended between an end of the fastener and the lower bumper.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee provides a single axis of rotation and includes a hydraulic damping cylinder, a microprocessor, and sensors. Based on input from the sensors, the microprocessor selects a flow path within the hydraulic cylinder in order to provide the proper amount of knee resistance to bending for a given situation. The resistance of each flow path within the hydraulic cylinder is manually preset. Changes in gait speed are accommodated by employing a hydraulic damper with intelligently designed position sensitive damping. Moreover, the knee need not be un-weighted to transition from the stance phase to the swing phase of gait. As a result, the knee safely provides a natural, energy efficient gait over a range of terrains and gait speeds and is simpler, less costly, and lighter weight than the prior art.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot includes a pair of elongated forefoot leaf springs with proximal ends coupled to an attachment member and extending in an arc to distal ends with the forefoot leaf springs being oriented with one over another. The pair of forefoot leaf springs has different lengths and is coupled to one another at the proximal and distal ends defining an open, uninterrupted gap between the forefoot leaf springs. A pair of hinge connections can be disposed each at a different one of the proximal and distal ends of the pair of elongated forefoot leaf springs. The pair of forefoot leaf springs together has a non-linear force deflection under loading during gait.