Abstract: A prosthetic knee includes a hydraulic resistance system with an extension hydraulic circuit and a flexion hydraulic circuit. The flexion hydraulic circuit includes a switchable resistance assembly with a mechanical switch. The mechanical switch has an engaged position and a released position. The switchable resistance assembly provides a first level of hydraulic resistance when the mechanical switch is in the released position and a second level of hydraulic resistance when the mechanical switch is in the engaged position, the second level being less than the first level. The mechanical switch moves to the engaged position when the hydraulic resistance element reaches a predetermined extension position and moves back to the released position when fluid flow falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A prosthetic finger includes a main body and a terminal gripper at an end of the main body for enabling fine-motor grasping skills. The terminal gripper has at least two tongs movable relative to one another. The prosthetic finger includes a gripping mode and a flexion mode. In the gripping mode, the tongs of the terminal gripper are able to move relative to one another while the main body is not able to flex, and in the flexion mode, the main body is able to flex while the at two tongs is not able to move relative to one another.

Abstract: A multicapacitor sensor system facilitates the measurement of applied shear and moment forces. In one disclosed configuration, moments may be detectable in x, y and z directions, resulting in a full, 3-axis load cell with 6 degrees of freedom. The system may further include electrical circuitry to generate electrical drive pulses, sense amplify and buffer the voltages induced on the sense plates, and compute applied forces. An array of multicapacitor sensors that can be addressed individually without cross-talk and globally produce a map of forces and moments applied to the whole array. A MEMS implementation enables in vivo application.

Abstract: Prosthetic joint and limb components utilize a single, curved dampening cylinder to reduce component count and wear. A prosthetic foot/ankle requires only three major components; namely, a housing adapted for coupling to a foot blade, an ankle component adapted for coupling to a pylon, and a piston that moves within a curved cylinder in the housing during ambulation. The ankle component is pivotally attached to the housing at the center of curvature of the cylinder. The piston defines front and rear, variable volume chambers in the cylinder. The chambers are in fluid communication with one another via a port, such that fluid is exchanged between the chambers through one-way check valves as the ankle pivots between plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. Fluid flow is independently adjustable to establish and maintain desired levels of dampening during plantarflexion and dorsiflexion, including different levels of dampening.

Abstract: A multicapacitor sensor system facilitates the measurement of applied shear and moment forces. In one disclosed configuration, moments may be detectable in x, y and z directions, resulting in a full, 3-axis load cell with 6 degrees of freedom. The system may further include electrical circuitry to generate electrical drive pulses, sense amplify and buffer the voltages induced on the sense plates, and compute applied forces. An array of multicapacitor sensors that can be addressed individually without cross-talk and globally produce a map of forces and moments applied to the whole array. A MEMS implementation enables in vivo application.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sensing forces, moments, temperature, inclination, acceleration and other parameters associated with prosthetic limbs. The system is capable of measuring forces in three designated axes, and moments about the same designated axes, for a total of six possible degrees of freedom. The system can be readily fitted onto a conventional prosthetic limb with no, or relatively minor, modification thereto. A plurality of sensor arrays are disposed on a support member, each array including a plurality of strain gauge sensors, each sensor outputting an electrical signal responsive to loading imposed on the support member through the prosthetic limb. Electronic circuitry in communication with the gauges is operative to receive the electrical signals from the strain gauges and provide a signal useful in the form, fit or function of the prosthetic limb.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot having an adjustable height heel includes a frame portion with an ankle link pivotally supported on the frame portion at a first pivot axis. A detent rod is pivotally connected to the ankle at a second pivot axis, and a detent member is pivotally affixed to the frame portion at a third pivot axis. The detent member is selectively operable to receive and releasably retain a length of the detent rod therein so that the length of the detent rod extending between the second and third pivot axes may be selectably adjusted. When the length of the rod is so adjusted, the angular relationship of the frame portion and the ankle link is changed thereby changing the heel height of the foot. The detent mechanism may be activated by various means including fluidic means, mechanical means, electromechanical means, and the like.

Abstract: An ankle block for a leg prosthesis comprising an insert having a body with an upper mounting surface and a bottom interface surface opposite from the upper mounting surface. The insert body defines a central coaxial hole therethrough. An over mold is formed about an exterior of the body and extends upwardly therefrom defining a central cavity above the insert and above the upper mounting surface.

Abstract: An ankle block for a leg prosthesis comprising an insert having a body with an upper mounting surface and a bottom interface surface opposite from the upper mounting surface. The insert body defines a central coaxial hole therethrough. An over mold is formed about an exterior of the body and extends upwardly therefrom defining a central cavity above the insert and above the upper mounting surface.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot gasket for sealing between a foot shell covering a foot portion of an endoskeletal prosthetic leg and a leg portion thereof comprises a peripheral body having an upper surface and further defining a central opening therethrough. A lip extends from a bottom of the body and in combination with the body defines a groove therearound for receiving a top portion of the foot shell. A seal is affixed to an upper surface of the body for sealing engagement with the leg portion of the prosthetic leg.

Abstract: The present invention is footwear for use by an able-bodied person to test and appreciate the functions of a prosthetic foot. The footwear includes an upper for attachment to a user's foot and a mounting plate attached to the inside sole of the footwear. An adapter is mounted to the mounting plate for receipt of the foot prosthesis. The adapter allows for adjustment of the prosthesis with respect to the footwear.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot assembly, said assembly includes an ankle member, a heel member pivotally connected to the ankle member, an elongate metatarsal-toe member having a rear portion underlying a forward portion of the heel member and projecting forwardly from the heel member. The metatarsal-toe member being pivotally connected to the heel member. A first compressible element is engaged between a portion of the ankle member and a portion of the heel member and a second compressible element having first and second substantially circular bearing surfaces engaged between a portion of the heel member and a portion of the metatarsal-toe member to resist upward pivotal movement of a forward end of the metatarsal-toe member relative to the heel member. A portion of the compressible element spaced apart from one of the bearing surfaces has a smaller diameter than the diameter of at least one of the first and second bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot includes an ankle member, a heel member and a toe member coupled to each other for relative pivotable movement with the pivotable movement resisted by elastomeric pads. The heel and ankle member are connected through a joint allowing for translational and pivotable torsional motion of the ankle with respect to the heel and provided with limit stops in the axle and the side walls of the heel member to limit the torsional and translation motion of the ankle joint. The toe member is formed symmetrically to be used for left and right feet with symmetrically positioned and mirror imaged fore sections.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot includes an ankle member, a heel member and a toe member coupled to each other for relative pivotable movement with the pivotable movement resisted by elastomeric pads. The heel and ankle member are connected through a joint allowing for translational and pivotable torsional motion of the ankle with respect to the heel and provided with limit stops in the axle and the side walls of the heel member to limit the torsional and translation motion of the ankle joint. The toe member is formed symmetrically to be used for left and right feet with symmetrically positioned and mirror imaged for sections.