Abstract: An improved prosthetic knee joint utilizes a rotary hydraulic chamber with internal flow control and positioned with hydraulic chamber opposite the upper joint section. A polycentric knee joint is provided with a forward flexion bumper and a cable extension assist for improved gait performance.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder control unit for gait control of a prosthetic limb which features two cylindrical tubes that are eccentric with respect to each other. The inner tube houses hydraulic fluid and the gap between the two tubes serves as a displacement chamber as a piston, mounted on a piston rod, moves through the fluid in the inner tube. When the outer tube is rotated about the inner tube, the gap between the tubes changes which either increases or decreases the flow allowed between the tubes. This changes the resistance which controls the rate of swing of an artificial limb. The resistance is easily adjustable by a simple rotation of the outer cylindrical tube. A floating sealed piston is additionally provided at the bottom of the inner tube. The sealed piston moves upwards or downwards depending on the balance of forces between the fluid force above the piston and the stored energy force below the sealed piston.

Abstract: A limb encircling band for an orthotic device includes a generally stiff, form-retaining first member which is provided with an arcuate configuration to encircle a portion of a limb, and that includes a buckle member secured to one end thereof. A flexible, resilient second member is secured in longitudinally offset fashion from one end of the first member so that the second member extends beyond the other end of the first member. A hook and pile fastening belt is secured to the free end of the second member, and is adapted to engage the buckle joined to the first end of the first member. The first member may be bent to conform to the shape of the portion of the limb which it encompasses, and the free end of the second member may be cut to any desired length so that the band assembly may fully encompass the limb.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee apparatus includes a pair of spaced side brackets depending from the upper leg prosthesis, and a housing disposed between the brackets. Extending through the housing to the brackets are anterior and posterior pivot shafts, the posterior pivot being provided with some play to permit a slight degree of pivot about the anterior shaft. A pair of leg brackets are also joined to the posterior pivot shaft with no play, and the housing is provided with a locking pin arrangement to releasably lock the leg brackets to the housing. The housing is provided with a pair of opposed braking pads which impinge on the leg brackets, the braking pads being actuated by a wedge which is driven into engagement by weight applied to the upper leg portion posteriorly of the anterior pivot shaft.

Abstract: A device for locking a prosthetic knee joint in full extension includes a housing having a friction shoe adjustably impinging on a standard extension limit link extending through the housing. A latch lever is pivotally secured in the housing and is spring biased toward the extension limit link, with a detent adapted and positioned for engaging the end of the link only during full extension. A release cable or rod extending through the housing is adapted to pull against the spring bias to release the link from the detent, and to reset the latch lever during genuflection to once again engage the link when full extension is again attained. The release rod is manually controlled by an over-center cam toggle, or by a flexible cable extending upward toward the hip and controlled by a similar toggle.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint having a femoral member and a tibial member each of which is provided with a bearing surface. The bearing surface of the tibial member supports the bearing surface associated with the femoral member such that flexion between the tibial member and the femoral member causes the respective bearing surfaces to roll relative to one another. Rollers, cam surfaces and guide slots are provided to ensure the retention of the proper relationship for this rolling contact between the tibial bearing surface and the femoral bearing surface. The knee joint includes a mechanical brake which produces a brake force that increased with flexure between the tibial member and the femoral member. The brake includes a resilient deformable element which transmits a brake applying force to a brake shoe which is operable along an axis generally perpendicular to the direction in which the force is applied.

Abstract: A damping apparatus for retarding motion of a movable body is disclosed. The apparatus has a damper unit with at least two rollers having resilient peripheral surfaces. The rollers are free wheeling relative to one another and roll along a guide in contact with opposite guide surfaces. The damper unit further includes a carrier rotatably carrying the rollers. The carrier is operably connectable to the movable body such that a force is applied to the carrier in response to motion of the body to urge the rollers against the guide surfaces at an intensity which progresses in relation to the magnitude of the applied force to resiliently compress the resilient peripheral surfaces against the guide surfaces as the rollers rotationally travel therealong, to retard motion of the body.

Abstract: An ankle block for joining a leg prosthesis to a foot prosthesis includes a generally cylindrical member formed of rigid foam material, and a metal or wood insert molded in place in the lower end of the cylindrical member. The insert includes flanges which anchor it firmly in the foam, and a hole extending axially therethrough for receiving and anchoring a bolt from the prosthetic foot. An upper cylindrical passage extends from the upper end of the block to the insert, and a lower cylindrical passage of smaller diameter extends likewise from the lower end. The insert is adapted to receive and anchor either a bolt from a Sach foot, or a tee-bolt from a single-axis foot prosthesis.