Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging a surface of a target object that produces a three-dimensional image of the target object without mechanical contact from a hand-held, free-motion scanner. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a scanner that an operator manually moves about the target object substantially without restriction. A noncontact distance measuring device is attached to the scanner to measure the distance between the scanner and the target object without mechanically contacting the target object. Additionally, a position tracking system detects the position and orientation of the scanner within the position reference field without mechanically restricting the scanner. In operation, a computer is operatively coupled to the position tracking system and the noncontact distance measuring device to correlate position measurements of the scanner with corresponding distance measurements between the scanner and the target object.

Abstract: A prosthetic ankle joint includes a first joint structure having a foot attachment plate connecting a pair of spaced apart parallel fins lying in a sagital plane. A second joint structure having a pylon attachment plate is connected to a support block positioned between the fins of the first joint structure. The first and second joint structures are connected to each other by a spherical bearing that allows the joint structures to pivot with respect to each other about three orthogonal axes. The spherical bearing is connected to the first joint structure through an axle that extends through an aperture in the bearing. A rod extending from the bearing is threaded into a bore formed in the support block of the second joint structure. Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion cushions are positioned between the support block and respective surfaces of the first joint structure to resist pivotal dorsiflexal and plantar flexal pivotal movement of the ankle joint.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot having a keel formed by a flexible sole plate connected to the lower end of an ankle portion that is attachable to a user's leg or leg prosthesis. A plurality of resilient bending ribs extend from the angle portion to spaced apart locations on the upper surface of the sole plate to resiliently bias the sole plate to a neutral configuration. As the forward portion of the sole plate is progressively loaded, the sole plate flexes causing the bending ribs to deflect until they successively stack up against each other, thereby progressively stiffening the keel.