Abstract: A method for controlling the standing-phase damping of an artificial knee joint comprising an upper part and a lower part which are secured together in a pivotal manner about a pivot axis, a resistance unit which is arranged between the upper part and the lower part and has an adjustment device via which the damping resistance can be modified, and a control unit which is coupled to the adjustment device and which is connected to at least one sensor. The adjustment is carried out on the basis of sensor data, and the knee angle is detected by the at least one sensor during the standing-phase inflexion up to the terminal standing phase. The flexion damping is increased to a level above an initial flexion damping in order to prevent a further inflexion upon reaching a specified maximum knee angle.

Abstract: A prosthetic device is provided including (a) an ankle component, (b) a foot component coupled to the ankle component, wherein the foot component has a longitudinal length extending at least partially along a sagittal plane of a user when the prosthetic device is in use, wherein the foot component has a thickness extending at least partially along a transverse plane of a user when the prosthetic device is in use, and (c) a coupling mechanism positioned between the foot component and the ankle component, wherein the coupling mechanism couples a rotation of the foot component with respect to the sagittal plane to a rotation of the foot component with respect to the transverse plane.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided to cushion between a prosthetic socket and an amputee's residual limb. A plurality of putty-filled packets are assembled into a liner that, when assembled, provides a generally smooth contact surface toward the residual limb. At least one of the packets has a fluid bladder positioned between the putty material and the socket, and the fluid volume in the bladder can be adjusted to affect the fit of the assembly on the residual limb. Methods of fabrication, fitting, and use of such prosthetic devices are disclosed.

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: A prosthetic joint and a method of controlling dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the hydraulic prosthetic ankle joint. The method includes generating ground reaction forces with a hydraulic prosthetic ankle, wherein the prosthetic hydraulic ankle comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, and the ankle is connected to a prosthetic foot; rotating the prosthetic foot in response to the ground reaction force; transferring fluid between the forward and rear chambers in response to rotation of the foot; providing a feature to occlude or partially occlude the fluid transfer between chambers; providing a non-electronic mechanism for controlling the flow responsive to both a position of the joint and a rate of change of position of the joint, and wherein the mechanism is arranged such that a dwell at a particular joint location or locations will occlude the flow path.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a flexion angle of a prosthetic ankle includes a user adjusting a relative angle between first and second coupling members of the prosthetic ankle using a flexion angle adjustment mechanism of the prosthetic ankle that requires no tools to adjust.

Abstract: An implant for the repair of bone and cartilage that includes a cell conductive zone that contains biopolymeric fibers and an osteoconductive zone that contains biopolymeric fibers and calcium-containing mineral particles. The biopolymeric fibers from one zone overlap with the fibers in the other zone forming a stable physical and mechanical integration of the two zones, thus conferring in vivo stability to the implant.

Abstract: A brain machine interface system for use with an electroencephalogram to identify a behavioral intent of a person is disclosed. The system includes an electroencephalogram configured to sense electromagnetic signals generated by a brain of a person. The electromagnetic signals include a time component and a frequency component. A monitor monitors a response of the person to a stimulus and a characteristic of the stimulus. A synchronization module synchronizes the sensed electromagnetic signals with the response and the characteristic to determine a set of electromagnetic signals corresponding to the monitored response and the characteristic. A processor processes the set of electromagnetic signals and extracts feature vectors. The feature vectors define a class of behavioral intent. The processor determines the behavioral intent of the person based on the feature vectors. A brain machine interface and a method for identifying a behavioral intent of a person is also disclosed.

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: A sensing module is disclosed in the present invention and includes a body attaching member, a base module, a transmission member and a first sensor. The body attaching member is attached to a human limb and disposed on the base module. The transmission member is coupled to and moved with the body attaching member. The first sensor is disposed on a side of the body attaching member and separate from the body attaching member. When the body attaching member is driven to move along a direction by the human limb, the body attaching member drives the transmission member to activate the first sensor to generate a first signal. Since the first sensor is separate from the human limb, the first sensor is not affected by muscle swelling and skin friction during movement. Accordingly, the actuating module is able to drive the exoskeleton member more precisely.

Abstract: An adjustable socket system includes a distal portion and proximal portion. An axis extends between the distal and proximal portions. A plurality of struts are connected to the distal portion and distributed circumferentially about the axis. The struts at least in part define a receiving volume adapted to receive a residual limb and are movable between an expanded configuration in which at least some of the struts are moved radially outward relative to the axis to loosen the fit of the adjustable system, and a closed configuration in which at least some of the struts are moved radially inward relative to the expanded configuration to tighten the fit of the adjustable socket system. A tightening system is operatively connected to the struts and arranged to differentially tighten and loosen the fit of the adjustable socket system on one or more areas of the residual limb via a single input.

Abstract: A grasp assist system includes a glove having a glove palm and fingers, with the glove worn on a user's hand. A sensor measures flexion of the glove fingers, and thus a change of position and/or attitude of the fingers is determined. Finger saddles at least partially surround a phalange of a respective one of the user's fingers. The system uses one or more tendon actuators to pull on flexible tendons. Each tendon connects to a respective finger saddle. A controller is in communication with the actuators and sensor(s). The glove may use feedback from optional contact sensors to adjust tension, and may have a built-in restorative force. In executing a control method, the controller selectively applies tension to the tendons in response to finger flexion, via the tendon actuators, at a level sufficient for moving the user's fingers when the user executes a hand maneuver.

Abstract: A lower limb modular prosthetic system that may be fabricated by a 3D printer capable of printing with composite fiber filament, nylon, or metal. The production process may include a 3D printer that is capable of routing fiber in specifically programmed patterns. The components of the prosthetic system may be designed for direct patient end-use, and may be energy returning in nature.

Abstract: An attachment for a prosthetic foot comprising an attachment surface that couples to the edges of a foot plate of a prosthetic foot and an outer surface that functionally or cosmetically alters the foot plate of the prosthetic foot in order to adapt the prosthetic foot to the needs of the user. In another embodiment, a toe attachment for a prosthetic foot comprising a cavity that can receive the toe end of an elongate foot element of a prosthetic foot, the toe attachment that can functionally or cosmetically alter the elongate foot element in order to adapt the prosthetic foot to the needs of the user. In yet another embodiment, a seal cover that can removably engage a prosthetic foot and a cosmetic cover for a prosthetic foot, resulting in a substantially watertight connection between the seal cover and the prosthesis and the seal cover and the cosmesis.

Abstract: A self-adjusting adapter for a prosthetic leg having a foot and a leg socket has a low stiffness spring having a central opening, a high stiffness spring that has a central opening and is adjacent the low stiffness spring, a shaft or a bolt passing through the central opening in the low stiffness spring and the central opening in the high stiffness spring and a spring stiffener configured and positioned to restrain movement of the high stiffness spring relative to the low stiffness spring in a direction parallel to the low-stiffness spring. A connector for attaching the adapter to a leg socket is connected to the bolt or shaft and is capable of pivoting about an axis through the bolt or shaft. The adapter can be used an add-on component for existing prosthetic legs, or it can be integrated with foot design for the ankle-foot product category.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot, including a keel having a longitudinal axis. The keel includes a keel body including a heel portion, a forefoot portion, and an ankle portion positioned between the heel portion and the forefoot portion. The ankle portion includes a housing having a vertically oriented central axis. In addition, the prosthetic foot includes a coupling assembly disposed within the housing of the ankle portion. The coupling assembly includes a bearing member disposed about the central axis, a support sleeve concentrically disposed about the bearing member, and an embedding member disposed about the support sleeve. The embedding member includes a plurality of interlocking rings.

Abstract: Systems and devices for use as lower leg prosthetic devices that include a foot portion having anterior and posterior ends and a first surface having a protrusion that protrudes therefrom adjacent the posterior end of the foot portion, has a semispherical or hemispherical surface with a passage therethrough extending laterally relative to the foot portion. The systems and devices further include a toe portion pivotally coupled to the anterior end of the foot portion, and a plate portion configured to couple to an attachment device and thereby be functionally secured to a user. The plate portion has a recess configured to couple with the protrusion of the foot portion. A cylindrical rod is located within the lateral passage of the protrusion and has ends protruding therefrom on oppositely-disposed of the protrusion. The plate portion is pivotally coupled to the ends of the rod on oppositely-disposed lateral sides of the protrusion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manual gesture recognition to control prosthetic devices. Low encumbrance systems utilizing glove-based recognition to control prosthetic devices. Prosthetic control systems and methods are also provided utilizing elements for application on the user's fingernails.

Abstract: A compression plate for use with treating a fracture on a bone includes a main body portion comprising a pair of opposing ends and a pair of arms. Each arm of the pair of arms extending from a respective end of the pair of opposing ends. The compression plate also includes a bending feature defined in at least one of the main body portion and the arms. The bending feature is configured to enable deflection of at least one of the main body portion and the arms such that the bending feature applies a compression force on the bone.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring proprioceptive and/or sensory information from a prosthesis or from a sensing system disposed at a body part having poor or no sensation, to the skin of a user wearing the prosthesis or the sensing system, includes: a device for providing electrotactile feedback in the form of an electrical stimulation pattern with coding scheme for at least one input signal; and at least one multi-pad electrode configured to be positioned on a part of the body of the user. The multi-pad electrode includes a plurality of pads configured to be selectively and discretely activated/deactivated according to the predefined stimulation pattern.