Abstract: A foot plate device is connected to a prosthetic lower leg of an artificial foot, and includes a flexible foot plate. The foot plate has a front plate section, an inclined intermediate plate section extending rearwardly and upwardly from a rear end of the front plate section, and a rear plate section extending rearwardly from a rear end of the intermediate plate section and generally parallel to the front plate section. The front plate section has at least one open-ended slot formed vertically therethrough and extending across the front plate section along a longitudinal direction of the foot plate, so as to divide the front plate section into two force-receiving plate portions. The rear plate section is connected with the prosthetic lower leg.

Abstract: A hydraulic buffer device includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a buffering space disposed under the first and second chambers, an air bladder disposed in the buffering space, an oil chamber disposed above the first and second chambers and divided by a piston into upper and lower chamber portions, and an annular passage disposed around the oil chamber. When the piston is moved downwardly within the oil chamber, the hydraulic oil flows from the lower chamber portion into the buffering space via the first chamber to contract the air bladder so that, upon expansion of the air bladder, air pressure in the air bladder pushes the hydraulic oil to flow from the buffering space into the upper chamber portion via the second chamber and the annular passage.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot includes a foot body having heel and toe parts, an ankle member mounted pivotally on the heel part and having two opposite ends and an intermediate part between the opposite ends, an ankle shaft extending through the intermediate part of the ankle member, and two biasing members mounted within the heel part below the ankle member and respectively adjacent to the opposite ends so as to support the ankle member. A hydraulic bumper unit may be provided to support the biasing members.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot includes a longitudinal foot body and a biasing unit. The foot body includes front and rear end portions, and a longitudinal cavity between the front and rear end portions and extending inwardly from an upper surface of the foot body. The biasing unit is mounted in the cavity and has first and second ends extending respectively toward the front and rear end portions. The foot body is deflectable to contract the cavity. The biasing unit is subjected to a compression force when the cavity contracts, and restores the foot body to a normal position when the compression force is relieved.

Abstract: A motor-driven prosthetic prehensor includes an upright annular member and an annular retaining member having a friction wall that defines an accommodation space with a front wall of the annular member. A coupling sleeve member with a toothed rim is rotatably mounted on a transmission shaft disposed rotatably in the annular member, and has angularly spaced driving blocks extending into the accommodation space. A coupling member is mounted on and rotatable with the transmission shaft, and includes radially spaced driven spacer members that cooperate with the friction wall to define a plurality of chambers for receiving the driving blocks, and friction brakes that are slidable in the chambers between unobstructed position and braked positions. A coupling mechanism transmits rotation of the transmission shaft to drive a thumb member and a fingers assembly to move toward and away from each other so as to grasp or release an object.

Abstract: An artificial knee joint includes a hollow cylinder (5) in which a piston member (62) is disposed movably. The piston divides the cylinder (5) into upper and lower chambers (51, 52). The swing phase control member (8) has first and second channels (80, 81), a fulcrumed lever member (82) bridging the first and second channels (80, 81). The second channel (81) is communicated with the upper and lower chambers (51, 52). The first end of the lever member (82) extends into the first channel (80) for movement in response to an air pressure in the first channel (80). The second end of the lever member (82) has a first throttle valve unit (83) for regulating the air flow through the second channel (81) in response to a movement of the lever member (82). A pump unit (7) is associated operatively with the piston member (62) for pumping air from the ambient to the first channel (80) in response to a movement of the piston member (62).

Abstract: A shock absorbing device for use with an artificial leg has a coupling member that includes a mounting plate and a tubular portion. The tubular portion has an upper end surface and is formed with a radial inward first restricting portion distal to the upper end surface. A sleeve member has a lower sleeve portion mounted telescopically on the tubular portion, and an upper sleeve portion formed with a radial inward second restricting portion that is disposed above the upper end surface of the tubular portion of the coupling member. A damping member extends into the coupling member and the sleeve member between the first and second restricting portions. A cushioning unit is provided for cushioning axial and radial forces exerted on the coupling member and the sleeve member, and for defining an upper limit of the relative axial movement between the coupling member and the sleeve member.