Abstract: An orthotic joint device has an attachment member rotatably attached to the joint device for rotation in a first direction, a resistive element such as a spring, and a first lever for transmitting a first direction resistance force from the resistive element to the attachment member. The resistive element may also resist rotation in the second direction opposed to the first via a second lever. The orthotic joint device may be used in an orthosis and in a method of supporting an ankle of a human.

Abstract: Various orthotic joint devices, components, and methods are provided. These include orthotic joint alignment devices for adjusting a neutral or fixed angle of an orthotic joint device independently of other parameters, orthotic joint devices providing staged resistance through staged recruitment of separate springs or initiation of staged spring-rate behavior of a single spring retained in a joint body, adapters for converting non-staged resistance orthotic joint devices into orthotic joint devices, and low-noise orthotic joint devices with intermittent normal force-transmitting contact associated with resistive or assistive forces provided by the devices, and methods of using the devices and components.

Abstract: Configurable orthoses having a high degree of independent adjustability of various parameters are provided. In the example of a rehabilitation-evaluation ankle-foot orthosis (REAFO), these parameters may include calf band anteroposterior, height, width, sagittal tilt, coronal tilt, and mediolateral displacement adjustments; mediolateral displacement adjustments of a supramalleolar support; heel width/stirrup separation adjustment; and sagittal active joint resistance and neutral angle adjustments. Calf band mediolateral displacement adjustment may be provided by a lockable four-bar pivoting frame linkage of the REAFO. In one aspect, the configurable orthosis is used in conjunction with a plastically deformable precursor member to facilitate the design and manufacture of a definitive orthosis customized for a particular patient.

Abstract: An orthotic joint device has an attachment member rotatably attached to the joint device for rotation in a first direction, a resistive element such as a spring, and a first lever for transmitting a first direction resistance force from the resistive element to the attachment member. The resistive element may also resist rotation in the second direction opposed to the first via a second lever. The orthotic joint device may be used in an orthosis and in a method of supporting an ankle of a human.

Abstract: Various orthotic joint devices, components, and methods are provided. These include orthotic joint alignment devices for adjusting a neutral or fixed angle of an orthotic joint device independently of other parameters, orthotic joint devices providing staged resistance through staged recruitment of separate springs or initiation of staged spring-rate behavior of a single spring retained in a joint body, adapters for converting non-staged resistance orthotic joint devices into orthotic joint devices, and low-noise orthotic joint devices with intermittent normal force-transmitting contact associated with resistive or assistive forces provided by the devices, and methods of using the devices and components.

Abstract: Various orthotic joint devices, components, and methods are provided. These include orthotic joint alignment devices for adjusting a neutral or fixed angle of an orthotic joint device independently of other parameters, orthotic joint devices providing staged resistance through staged recruitment of separate springs or initiation of staged spring-rate behavior of a single spring retained in a joint body, adapters for converting non-staged resistance orthotic joint devices into orthotic joint devices, and low-noise orthotic joint devices with intermittent normal force-transmitting contact associated with resistive or assistive forces provided by the devices, and methods of using the devices and components.

Abstract: Configurable orthoses having a high degree of independent adjustability of various parameters are provided. In the example of a rehabilitation-evaluation ankle-foot orthosis (REAFO), these parameters may include calf band anteroposterior, height, width, sagittal tilt, coronal tilt, and mediolateral displacement adjustments; mediolateral displacement adjustments of a supramalleolar support; heel width/stirrup separation adjustment; and sagittal active joint resistance and neutral angle adjustments. Calf band mediolateral displacement adjustment may be provided by a lockable four-bar pivoting frame linkage of the REAFO. In one aspect, the configurable orthosis is used in conjunction with a plastically deformable precursor member to facilitate the design and manufacture of a definitive orthosis customized for a particular patient.

Abstract: Configurable orthoses having a high degree of independent adjustability of various parameters are provided. In the example of a rehabilitation-evaluation ankle-foot orthosis (REAFO), these parameters may include calf band anteroposterior, height, width, sagittal tilt, coronal tilt, and mediolateral displacement adjustments; mediolateral displacement adjustments of a supramalleolar support; heel width/stirrup separation adjustment; and sagittal active joint resistance and neutral angle adjustments. Calf band mediolateral displacement adjustment may be provided by a lockable four-bar pivoting frame linkage of the REAFO. In one aspect, the configurable orthosis is used in conjunction with a plastically deformable precursor member to facilitate the design and manufacture of a definitive orthosis customized for a particular patient.

Abstract: The application discloses a conformable support structure for use in fiber composite precursor; a resin impregnated conformable fiber composite precursor, which may surround the support structure, for being manually manipulated and plastically deformed into a desired shape before being cured into a final product having the desired shape; the corresponding final product, which may be an orthosis or other product; and methods of making the final product or orthosis. The support structure is typically plastically deformable by hand to form the desired shape, may be substantially planar and may have various voids to promote controlled plastic deformation of the frame in one or more desired directions. The core may comprise a wire or tube and may include packing or filler material. The precursor includes a fiber layer impregnated with a thermoset resin and includes a compressor around the fiber layer. The fiber layer is supported internally or externally by the conformable support member.

Abstract: In one aspect, an improved ankle joint device provides two stages of dorsiflexion resistance biasing a first splint member (or other attachment member that follows the angular displacement of a wearer's lower leg or foot) against dorsiflexion movement within an active angular range of dorsiflexion, corresponding to second and third rocker phases of a wearer's gait; in addition to a phase of plantarflexion resistance biasing the first splint/attachment member against plantarflexion movement within an active angular range of plantarflexion, corresponding to a first rocker phase. In another aspect, an equilibrium or neutral angle between a wearer's foot and tibia at which the device applies no biasing forces is adjustable by adjusting the angle at which a second splint/attachment member is fixed relative to a joint body. Typically, the second splint member is secured to a wearer's lower leg, and the first splint member is secured to a wearer's foot.

Abstract: The application discloses a conformable support structure for use in fiber composite precursor; a resin impregnated conformable fiber composite precursor, which may surround the support structure, for being manually manipulated and plastically deformed into a desired shape before being cured into a final product having the desired shape; the corresponding final product, which may be an orthosis or other product; and methods of making the final product or orthosis. The support structure is typically plastically deformable by hand to form the desired shape, may be substantially planar and may have various voids to promote controlled plastic deformation of the frame in one or more desired directions. The core may comprise a wire or tube and may include packing or filler material. The precursor includes a fiber layer impregnated with a thermoset resin and includes a compressor around the fiber layer. The fiber layer is supported internally or externally by the conformable support member.

Abstract: Various orthotic joint devices, components, and methods are provided. These include orthotic joint alignment devices for adjusting a neutral or fixed angle of an orthotic joint device independently of other parameters, orthotic joint devices providing staged resistance through staged recruitment of separate springs or initiation of staged spring-rate behavior of a single spring retained in a joint body, adapters for converting non-staged resistance orthotic joint devices into orthotic joint devices, and low-noise orthotic joint devices with intermittent normal force-transmitting contact associated with resistive or assistive forces provided by the devices, and methods of using the devices and components.

Abstract: An improved ankle joint device is provided. In one aspect, the device provides two stages of dorsiflexion resistance biasing a first splint member (or other attachment member that follows the angular displacement of a wearer's lower leg or foot) against dorsiflexion movement within an active angular range of dorsiflexion, corresponding to second and third rocker phases of a wearer's gait; in addition to a phase of plantarflexion resistance biasing the first splint/attachment member against plantarflexion movement within an active angular range of plantarflexion, corresponding to a first rocker phase. In another aspect, an equilibrium or neutral angle between a wearer's foot and tibia at which the device applies no biasing forces is adjustable by adjusting the angle at which a second splint/attachment member is fixed relative to a joint body. Typically, the second splint member is secured to a wearer's lower leg, and the first splint member is secured to a wearer's foot.

Abstract: An orthotic joint comprising an upper plate, lower plate, cover plate, back plate, first link, second link, coil spring, and extension stop. The coil spring is situated between the lower plate and first link, and as the joint is flexed, the first end of the coil spring travels along a first arcuate edge of the first link. The extension is situated adjacent to the first link. A first pin pivotally connects the first link to the upper plate, a second pin pivotally connects the first link to the back plate, a third pin pivotally connects the second link to the upper plate, and a fourth pin pivotally connects the second link to the back plate. A knee-ankle-foot orthotic device comprising the orthotic joint of the present invention.

Abstract: An orthotic joint comprising an upper plate, lower plate, cover plate, back plate, first link, second link, coil spring, and extension stop. The coil spring is situated between the lower plate and first link, and as the joint is flexed, the first end of the coil spring travels along a first arcuate edge of the first link. The extension is situated adjacent to the first link. A first pin pivotally connects the first link to the upper plate, a second pin pivotally connects the first link to the back plate, a third pin pivotally connects the second link to the upper plate, and a fourth pin pivotally connects the second link to the back plate. A knee-ankle-foot orthotic device comprising the orthotic joint of the present invention.

Abstract: A selectively lockable orthotic joint is provided in which a pressure sensor having a thin layer of variably resistive material generates a control signal when an actuation force is applied to the sensor. An electronic circuit operatively connects the sensor to a mechanical orthotic joint that can be selectively locked and unlocked in response to the control signal. The control signal may be uniform in strength selectively locking and unlocking the joint. The control signal may also be variable in strength wherein the orthotic joint provides increasing or decreasing resistance to motion responsive to a corresponding increase or decrease in control signal strength. The device is suitable for use as a foot/ankle/leg orthotic having a foot sensor which selectively operates a mechanical knee joint.

Abstract: A locking coupler device for connecting a residual limb socket to a lower limb prosthesis is provided having a body with a top mounting surface, a bottom mounting surface, an anterior area and a posterior area. The top mounting surface is adapted to connect to the residual limb socket at a defined location on the top mounting surface. The bottom mounting surface is adapted to connect to the lower limb prosthesis at a defined location on the bottom mounting surface. The top and bottom mounting surfaces are horizontally offset such that a longitudinal centerline of the residuum limb socket is located from about 0.5 to about 4.0 inches anterior of a longitudinal centerline of the lower limb prosthesis when the residual limb socket and the lower limb prosthesis are attached to the top and bottom mounting surfaces, respectively, of the coupler device. In addition, the top mounting surface is inclined posterior to anterior at an angle from about 5° to about 20° relative to the bottom mounting surface.

Abstract: A selectively lockable orthotic joint is provided that in one embodiment includes at least one pressure sensor and an electronic circuit associated with the pressure sensor for generating or providing a control signal indicative of pressure, force or other value sensed by the sensor. A mechanical orthotic joint is provided that has a locking mechanism that can be selectively locked and unlocked in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A device is provided for releasably connecting together two elements of an orthosis or prosthesis. The device includes two plate members each attachable to a different orthotic element and a slider plate that is movable between a first released position and a second locked position. The device also may include a stop to secure the slider plate in the locked position.