Abstract: Prosthetic devices and methods of controlling the same are provided. A prosthetic ankle device includes a foot unit and lower limb member moveable relative to one another and defining an ankle angle therebetween. The prosthetic ankle device further includes a controller to operate the device based on detecting a decreased load. Methods of controlling the prosthetic ankle device include operating the device at different ankle angles depending on detecting a decreased load on the prosthetic ankle device while standing or stopped.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot can include an attachment member, at least one first brace, at least one first flexible member, an unpowered actuator, at least one second brace, and at least one second flexible member. The attachment member can include a connector configured to connect the attachment member to a user or another prosthetic device. The at least one first brace can mount to the attachment member and the at least one first flexible member can connect to the attachment member by the at least one first brace such that a force between the ground and the attachment member can be supported by the at least one first flexible member. The unpowered actuator can mount to the attachment member and the at least one second brace can be mounted to the actuator. The at least one second flexible member can connect to the attachment member by the at least one second brace such that a force between the ground and the attachment member can be supported by the at least one second flexible member.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention relate to increasing the functionality of a transfemoral prosthetic device. In one embodiment, the transfemoral prosthetic device is configured such that the prosthetic knee maintains a load consistent with a healthy knee walking on level ground, while the prosthetic ankle adjusts for the incline or decline. In certain embodiments, adjustments, such as a toe lift function, are automatically performed after about three strides of the transfemoral prosthetic device user and/or when each of the strides has a stride speed of at least about 0.55 meters/second.

Abstract: Disclosed are adjustable powered rehabilitation devices and methods for using the same to rehabilitate and/or train a user. The rehabilitation devices preferably have a plurality of selectable power settings that correspond to one or more rehabilitation-oriented actions or functions of the rehabilitation devices. For example, the power of the rehabilitation device may be selected based on a need, ability, muscle-power and/or physiological characteristics of the user. For instance, a rehabilitation device may be operated at a relatively low power setting to allow a patient to use his or her own muscle power when moving with the rehabilitation device. The rehabilitation device may also include an adjustable sensitivity level that corresponds to a user difficulty in triggering a particular rehabilitation-oriented action. The powered rehabilitation device may also temporarily be used to train a user in interacting with a passive or more conventional prosthetic device.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention relate to increasing the functionality of a transfemoral prosthetic device. In one embodiment, the transfemoral prosthetic device is configured such that the prosthetic knee maintains a load consistent with a healthy knee walking on level ground, while the prosthetic ankle adjusts for the incline or decline. In certain embodiments, adjustments, such as a toe lift function, are automatically performed after about three strides of the transfemoral prosthetic device user and/or when each of the strides has a stride speed of at least about 0.55 meters/second.

Abstract: Various features for improving the performance of prosthetic sport feet are provided. A fairing for a prosthetic sport foot can include foam components that are coupled to the foot and an elastane cover. The fairing is configured to alter the cross-sectional profile of the foot to produce a more aerodynamic shape. A prosthetic sport foot can include a hollow foot member that can be lighter weight and provide improved performance. A prosthetic sport foot can include an adjustable tension strap extending between and coupled to two portions of the foot member. A prosthetic sport foot, such as a prosthetic running foot or prosthetic cycling foot, can include an aerodynamic fairing and a cover. A prosthetic sport foot can have a varying-width profile such that a mid-section of the foot is narrower and a toe portion flares outward.

Abstract: Prosthetic feet that provide for variable and adjustable stiffness are provided. A foot element can include a tongue portion defined or formed by a slot in the foot element that at least partially separates the tongue portion from a remainder of the foot element. The tongue portion can be operably connected to the remainder of the foot member to increase the stiffness of the foot member or operably disconnected from the remainder of the foot member to increase the flexibility of the foot member. The prosthetic foot further includes a mechanism for adjusting whether the tongue portion is operably connected or disconnected from the remainder of the foot member. The mechanism can be selectively actuated to adjust the stiffness of the foot element in dorsiflexion and/or plantarflexion and/or to adjust the degree to which the tongue portion is allowed to flex relative to the remainder of the foot member.

Abstract: Prosthetic feet and foot covers that provide a more natural appearance and improved performance are provided. A foot element for a prosthetic foot can extend from a heel end to a toe end and include a heel, arch, forefoot, and toe regions. The forefoot region can be wider than the arch and heel regions. The toe region can include a U-shaped cut out to define a big toe. Various features of the foot element can guide rollover of the foot through the big toe during use. A foot cover can be designed to receive a prosthetic foot including such a foot element. The foot cover can have a region of increased flexibility at a transition between the forefoot region and toe region. The foot cover can also have a padded area extending from the heel region across a lateral part of the arch region and forefoot region.

Abstract: A vertical suspension system for a prosthetic foot includes a first member operatively coupleable to an amputee's residual leg. The suspension system can also include a second member coupleable to a prosthetic foot. One or more upper leaf springs and one or more lower leaf springs extend between and are attached to the first and second members such that at least one of the ends of each leaf spring is rotationally fixed to the first or second members, where the upper an lower leaf springs are spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: Prosthetic and/or orthotic devices (PODS), control systems for PODS and methods for controlling PODS are provided. As part of the control system, an inference layer collects data regarding a vertical and horizontal displacement of the POD, as well as an angle of the POD with respect to gravity during a gait cycle of a user of the POD. A processor analyzes the data collected to determine a locomotion activity of the user and selects one or more control parameters based on the locomotion activity. The inference layer may be situated between a reactive layer control module and a learning layer control module of the control system architecture.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot has a plate-like foot member with a core section substantially defined by one or more layers comprising a first material fiber, an upper section disposed above the core section, the upper section substantially defined by one or more layers comprising a second material fiber, and a lower section disposed below the core section, the lower section substantially defined by one or more layers comprising a third material fiber, where the upper, lower and core sections together define a total thickness of the plate-like elongate foot member. An idealized ratio of the cross sectional area of each section can be determined such that under an applied load provided to the hybrid layup, the ratio of maximum stress of a given section over the flexural strength of that given section is approximately equal for all sections of the hybrid layup. The hybrid layup arrangement can be configured to have a greater strength, but generally the same stiffness, as a similar foot member made of carbon fiber.

Abstract: A prosthetic or orthotic device includes a body configured to support at least a portion of a human limb of a user wearing the prosthetic or orthotic device. The device can also include a shock absorption member coupled to the body. The shock absorption member includes one or more magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) springs disposed between a first portion of the body and a second portion of the body. The one or more MRE springs are selectively actuatable to vary a stiffness of the shock absorption member via the application of a magnetic flux, thereby adjusting a stiffness of the body of the prosthetic or orthotic device to a level corresponding to an activity level of the user.

Abstract: A lower limb prosthesis system and a method of controlling the prosthesis system to replace a missing lower extremity of an individual and perform a gait cycle are disclosed. The prosthesis system has a controller, one or more sensors, a prosthetic foot, and a movable ankle joint member coupled to the prosthetic foot. The movable ankle joint member comprises a hydraulic damping system that provides the ankle joint member damping resistance. The controller varies the damping resistance by providing volumetric flow control to the hydraulic damping system based on sensor data. In one embodiment, the hydraulic damping system comprises a hydraulic piston cylinder assembly, hydraulic fluid, and a valve to regulate the fluid. In one embodiment, the controller alters the damping resistance by modulating the valve to vary the hydraulic fluid flow within the hydraulic piston cylinder assembly of the movable ankle joint member based on sensor data.

Abstract: Prosthetic devices and methods of controlling the same are provided. A prosthetic ankle device includes a foot unit and lower limb member moveable relative to one another and defining an ankle angle therebetween. The prosthetic ankle device further includes a controller to operate the device using different ankle angles depending on, for example, a user's gait speed. Methods of controlling the prosthetic ankle device include operating the device at different ankle angles depending on gait speed. For example, the prosthetic ankle device can provide for relatively more dorsiflexion at relatively slower gait speeds and relatively more plantarflexion at relatively faster gait speeds.

Abstract: An ankle module for a prosthetic foot can have an adapter portion pivotally coupled to a base portion. The base portion can be coupled to the prosthetic foot. The adapter portion can have a coupling member that removably couples the prosthetic foot to a prosthetic pylon or socket. The adapter portion can also have cylinders housing pistons slidably displaceable within the cylinders. An actuator is selectively actuatable to place the cylinders in fluid communication, allowing a fluid to flow between the cylinders as an angular position of the adapter portion is adjusted relative to the base portion, thereby adjusting the dorsi-plantar position between the adapter portion and the base portion of the ankle module. The actuator can be selectively actuatable to fluidly isolate the cylinders from each other so that the angular position of the adapter portion relative to the base portion remains substantially fixed.

Abstract: The present foot prosthesis includes various structural features that provide the foot with advantageous rollover properties. In certain embodiments, the foot guides rollover toward the medial side. For example, an asymmetrical upper element and a correspondingly shaped resilient ankle member support more of the wearer's weight on the lateral side as the foot rolls over. In another embodiment, stiffeners added to the resilient ankle member increase the stiffness on the lateral side relative to the medial side. In certain other embodiments, the foot provides progressively increasing support from mid stance through toe off. For example, a gap between the resilient ankle member and the lower element closes during the later portion of the wearer's gait. The closing gap increases a contact area between the resilient ankle member and the lower element, providing progressively increasing support. In another embodiment, the foot includes a gap between a lower front edge of an attachment adapter and the upper element.

Abstract: A low profile prosthetic foot comprises a foot member extending at an incline from an anterior portion to a posterior portion thereof and configured to flex during motion, and an adapter mounted solely at a posterior section thereof to the posterior portion of the foot member so that the adapter's anterior section can move relative to the foot member and “roll-up” onto the foot member during motion.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot comprises an attachment member and two or more flexible members. The attachment member can include a connector configured to connect the attachment member to a user or another prosthetic device. The two or more flexible members can be rotatably attached to the attachment member by rotatable joints such that the flexible members can both rotate and flex relative to the attachment member when the prosthetic foot contacts the ground.

Abstract: A strap tightener assembly has a base, a tightening device mounted on the base and movable relative thereto, and a strap assembly coupled to the tightening device. The tightening device provides incremental movement of the strap assembly relative to the base at a plurality of predefined settings. A cover extends over the strap assembly and connects to the base so that the base and the cover form a channel permitting movement of the strap assembly therethrough. The cover defines an elongate slot extending along a portion of a length of the cover, and the strap assembly has an indicator identifying the relative location of the strap assembly to the cover. A strap is securable to the strap assembly.