Abstract: Surgical repair systems and techniques for plantar plate repairs. The surgical repair systems and methods reconstruct the plantar plate through a dorsal incision. The surgical repair system embodies a variety of instruments that provide visualization and access to the plantar plate using suture to complete the repair. The repair system may include some or all of the following instruments: a metatarsal head pusher employed in open surgical space, to move the “capital fragment” in a controlled manner; a suture retriever instrument and a suture retriever funnel (sleeve); a suture passer such as a Mini Scorpion DX and accompanying needle, or a variety of shaped Micro Suture Lassos; a measuring guide; and a small joint distractor.

Abstract: Improved osseointegration devices and structures, including such structures that can be used in connection with prosthetic limbs. Examples include a self-centering implant/nut configuration, a centering device, a tapered mounting screw hole, a coupling device, and an aiming device. The devices are highly efficacious. For example, they can be secured with minimal residual bone, and may be removed without significant bone destruction.

Abstract: A securing arrangement of a prosthetic hand on a forearm socket with a receiving frame that can be fixed to the forearm socket, the prosthetic hand being fixed to said receiving frame, wherein the receiving frame is designed to feature radially-directed openings through which the securing elements protrude. The securing elements positively engage with a proximal connection section of the prosthetic hand.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting an expandable prosthetic device includes: an elongated main support having a longitudinal axis and a distal end, and being adapted to connect to an outer or inner side of an adjustable socket having a distal end; an adjustable cup adapted to connect to the distal end of the elongated main support and having an expandable base and at least one side adapted to move laterally toward or laterally away from the longitudinal axis of the elongated main support; and at least a portion of a suspension system disposed in the adjustable cup and having a top adapted to connect to the distal end of the adjustable socket and a bottom adapted to slidably connect to the expandable base of the adjustable cup.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system and method for fine motor control of fingers on a prosthetic hand. In particular, the present disclosure describes a system and method for controlling the flexion or extension of one or more fingers of a prosthetic hand to reproduce a natural stroke such as for, e.g., writing, painting, brushing teeth, or eating. The systems and methods described herein use electromyographic (EMG) signals and, more particularly, combinations of electromyographic signals, from muscles in the forearm to activate one or more motors of the prosthetic hand that control the motion of the prosthetic fingers. The electromyographic signals may be used to cause fingers of a prosthetic hand to, for example, imitate a writing stroke while the fingers of the prosthetic hand hold a writing utensil. Additionally, the present invention describes electrode placement locations that maximize peak signal detected while maintaining a low base-line signal.

Abstract: A failsafe for a transdermal apparatus for a prosthetic appendage can include a first plate, a second plate, and a breakaway connector. The first plate can have a central axis, a proximal portion, and a distal end. The distal end can be opposite the proximal portion, and the distal end can be securable with a prosthetic external to skin and can be configured to simulate an appendage of a patient. The second plate can be aligned with the central axis and can include a proximal end and a distal portion. The proximal end can be securable to a transdermal implant, and can extend proximally from the second plate. The distal portion can be opposite the proximal end, and the distal portion can be configured to interface with the proximal portion of the first plate. The breakaway connector can be couplable within the second plate and the first plate.

Abstract: The present application describes apparatus (100) for locating an electrode unit on a prosthesis socket, comprising an electrode unit (102) locatable in a socket aperture (106) and having a first abutment surface (118) for engagement with an inner surface (120) of the socket; and a retaining element (104) locatable on the electrode unit and having a further abutment surface (126) for engagement with an outer surface (128) of the socket or the first abutment surface of the electrode unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthetic foot comprising a base body having a main spring element, an upper spring element, a heel spring element, and a front spring element. The base body is formed in one piece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an artificial orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, on which a lower leg component is arranged and which is assigned a resistance device having at least one actuator, by means of which the bending resistance is modified depending on sensor data that is determined during use of the orthotic or prosthetic knee joint by means of a sensor, wherein the absolute angle of the lower leg component is determined exclusively by means of at least one inertial sensor, the angle determined is compared with at least one threshold value, and the bending resistance is modified when the threshold value is reached.

Abstract: A socket for engaging a residual limb includes a plurality of hard counters, each configured to engage the residual limb at defined “go points”. The go points can bear pressure without discomfort or impeding range of motion. The counters are further configured to avoid contact with identified “no go” points where excess tissue may inhibit motion or experience irritation upon movement and which include one or more contoured pads to more effectively engage the bony prominences of the limb without inhibiting motion. A chassis from which each of the counters may flexibly depend connects the residual limb mechanically to a limb extension. A lacing system alternately intersects the counters and terminates in a tensioning reel. Rotation of the tensioning reel in a first direction will draw the laces over each of the counters such that the tensioned laces will draw counters together to engage the residual limb.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a lower limb device having at least a powered joint are provided. A method includes configuring the device to a first state in a finite state model for a current activity mode including a stair ascent mode or a stair descent mode. The method also includes, based on real-time sensor information, transitioning the device between different states in the finite state model when pre-defined criteria for transitioning among the different states are met. In the method, the finite state model for stair ascent includes lifting and swing phases, where the lifting phase includes a powered knee extension and a powered ankle push-off. The finite state model for stair descent includes yielding and swing states, where the swing states include providing a powered plantarflexion of the powered ankle joint and the yielding states include providing a resistive and passive plantarflexion of the powered ankle joint.

Abstract: An intra-frame positioning sling may be disposed internally within a prosthetic socket frame. The sling may include one or more proximal suspension portions adapted to suspend from a proximal aspect of the frame and a tensioning system. The sling may include a first longitudinal side with one or more proximal suspension portions and an opposite longitudinal side that includes the residual limb interfacing or force application portion of the sling. When the tensioning system is tensioned, the sling is pulled toward the first longitudinal side of the prosthetic socket frame. A set of two positioning slings may be rigged in a transfemoral prosthetic socket frame; one sling applies force on a medial side of a hosted residual limb, and the other sling applies force on the lateral side.

Abstract: A harness for an upper extremity below-elbow prosthesis. The harness includes a humeral cuff having medial and lateral pivot arms configured to removably attach to the socket of a below-elbow prosthesis. The humeral cuff enables a user to suspend the prosthesis without the need of a shoulder strap/harness or body harness. A cable system is affixed to the pivot arms and includes a wheel coupling the pivot arms to the control arm of a hook of the below-elbow prosthesis, thereby enabling users to operate the hook by simple flexion and extension of their arm.

Abstract: In a powered actuator for supplying torque, joint equilibrium, and/or impedance to a joint, a motor is directly coupled to a low-reduction ratio transmission, e.g., a transmission having a gear ratio less than about 80 to 1. The motor has a low dissipation constant, e.g., less than about 50 W/(Nm)2. The transmission is serially connected to an elastic element that is also coupled to the joint, thereby supplying torque, joint equilibrium, and/or impedance to the joint while minimizing the power consumption and/or acoustic noise of the actuator.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and method are disclosed herein for controlling movement of an artificial orthopedic joint prosthesis in a mammalian subject. The apparatus, system, or method includes an orthopedic brace configured to control movement of an orthopedic joint prosthesis. The apparatus, system, or method includes one or more sensors and one or more controllers in communication with the one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are configured to contact the orthopedic joint prosthesis, wherein the one or more sensors in communication with the one or more controllers are configured to detect and control one or more alignment orientations of the artificial orthopedic joint prosthesis.

Abstract: A powered ankle-foot prosthesis, capable of providing human-like power at terminal stance that increase amputees metabolic walking economy compared to a conventional passive-elastic prosthesis. The powered prosthesis comprises a unidirectional spring, configured in parallel with a force-controllable actuator with series elasticity. The prosthesis is controlled to deliver the high mechanical power and net positive work observed in normal human walking.

Abstract: A modular patella trial system and method is provided. A modular patella trial includes an articular element and at least one sizing element. The articular element has a length, a width, and a thickness. The articular element has a posterior and anterior surfaces separated by their thickness. The anterior surface has protrusions extending outwardly. Any of the sizing elements have a length, width, and thickness. Any such sizing elements have posterior and anterior surfaces separated by their thickness. At least one aperture extends through the posterior and anterior surfaces of the sizing elements. Such apertures are capable of receiving a corresponding protrusion of the articular element. The modular patella trial has a thickness substantially equal to the total of the thicknesses of the articular element and the sizing elements used in conjunction with the articular element.

Abstract: An ankle-foot prosthesis includes a foot plate, an ankle frame attached to the foot plate, a yoke pivotally connected to the ankle frame and including a member for attaching to a leg, a damper having a first end connected to the yoke and a second end connected to the ankle frame, and a control mechanism for switching the damper between low and high settings.

Abstract: A hollow tubulous composite structure and method for prosthetic limbs is described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking unintentional muscle movements of a user and stabilizing a handheld tool while it is being used by the user are described. The method may include detecting motion of a handle of the handheld tool manipulated by a user while the user is performing a task with a user-assistive device attached to an attachment arm of the handheld tool. Furthermore, the method may include storing the detected motion in a memory of the handheld tool as motion data. The method may also include controlling, based on the motion data, a motion-generating mechanism of the handheld tool that moves the attachment arm relative to the handle in a single degree of freedom in a direction of the detected motion of the handle.