Patents Assigned to Michael O'Byrne
  • Hydraulic knee joint
    Patent number: 6106560
    Abstract: A patient-weight-activated hydraulic knee joint in which flow between hydraulic chambers is controlled by a valve operated by hydraulic pressure and by a force transmission system which transmits the force of a patient's weight, such that the valve is only closed when the patient's weight acts on the knee joint. Closure of the valve locks the knee joint, so hence undesirable locking does not occur during the swing phase of the patient's gait. A damped hydraulic trip valve can also be provided to give improved operation of the knee joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Michael O'Byrne
    Inventor: Jacob Quintus Laurens Anthony Boender