Patents Examined by David H. Willse
  • Patent number: 11918492
    Abstract: An adjustable seal system, seal component for use in the system, and method are provided for forming a sealing interface between a residual limb and a prosthetic socket. The seal component is selectively placed over the outer surface of a suspension liner including a plurality of seal bands, which the seal component may removably and securely engage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: OSSUR ICELAND EHF
    Inventors: Linda Ros Birgisdottir, Martin Lund Storup, Johan Olof Westlund, Egill Sveinbjorn Egilsson
  • Patent number: 11916583
    Abstract: A supply system for at least one orthopedic technology component, which has at least one electronic and/or electrical device and has a supply connection and/or a radio device for receiving data and/or electrical energy. The supply system also includes a holder for the orthopedic technology component, which has a supply device, and which is compatible with the supply connection and/or the radio device, for supplying the orthopedic technology component with data and/or energy. The invention further relates to a system consisting of a supply system and an orthopedic technology device, and to a method for supplying the system with data and/or energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Pappe, Andreas Weigl-Pollack, Erik Albrecht-Laatsch, Michael Nolte, Robert Hoffmann, Robert Kaitan, Luis Sagmeister, Thomas Pauser, Andreas Schramel
  • Patent number: 11890209
    Abstract: A flexible inner socket is fabricated by forming a pre-socket. The pre-socket includes a body formed with an opening and an enclosed end. The enclosed end is opposite to the opening. The body of the pre-socket has an outer circumference that is smaller than the inner circumference of the rigid prosthetic socket. Different portions of the body may have different thicknesses. The preform socket is heated. After the heating, the flexible inner socket is formed by molding the pre-socket onto the inner surface of the rigid prosthetic socket to form the flexible inner socket. The inner circumference of the rigid prosthetic socket is reduced by a thickness of the flexible inner socket when the flexible inner socket is attached to the inner surface of the rigid prosthetic socket. An opening of the flexible inner socket may be trimmed after the formation to fit contours of an opening of the rigid prosthetic socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventors: Mark C. Joseph, Sean D. Smith
  • Patent number: 11883306
    Abstract: A prosthetic liner has a ventilated structure communicating with an interior volume to an exterior of the prosthetic liner, thereby permitting a transfer of air and moisture therebetween. The prosthetic liner includes a facing layer defining a periphery of at least part of the interior volume of the liner, and forming a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. A cushion layer is juxtaposed to the facing layer and forms a lattice structure including a plurality of interstices in communication with the apertures of the facing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Ossur Iceland ehf
    Inventors: Andri Orrason, Stefan Orn Stefansson, Rowan Cain, Sigurdur Asgeirsson, Jiri Dlab
  • Patent number: 11844707
    Abstract: A foot prosthesis that includes at least one spring element, an attachment member, and a heel member. The at least one spring element has a toe end portion, a heel end portion, an upper surface, and a lower surface. The attachment member is mounted to the upper surface and is configured to connect the foot prosthesis to a lower limb prosthesis component. A position of the attachment member is adjustable along a length of the at least one spring element. The heel member is mounted below the lower surface of the at least one spring element, and a position of the heel member is adjustable along the length of the at least one spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE LP
    Inventor: Justin R. Smith
  • Patent number: 11839557
    Abstract: A prosthesis system having at least two sensors, at least one control device, which is coupled to the sensors and processes sensor signals of the sensors, at least one actuator, which is coupled to the control device and can be activated or deactivated on the basis of control signals of the control device, and at least one movably mounted prosthesis component, which can be displaced by the actuator. A standard program, which assigns an actuator action to each sensor independently of the duration and/or intensity of the sensor signal, is stored in the control device or can be called up by the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian Amsuess, Benjamin Gmeiner, Matthias Schobesberger
  • Patent number: 11801154
    Abstract: An adjustable socket system includes first and second shell components and first and second longitudinal supports connected to a base. The socket system is movable between an open configuration to loosen the fit of the socket system, and a closed configuration to secure the fit of the socket system on residual limb received therein. A tightening system includes a tensioning unit having a handle defining a moment arm rotatable about a rotation axis, and a tensioning element operatively coupled to the handle via a movable connection point located and protected between the first shell component and the first support and to the shell components via a control point. Rotation of the handle displaces the movable connection point and the tensioning element relative to the control point to move the socket system to the closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: OSSUR ICELAND EHF
    Inventors: Andrew Bache, Martin Lund Storup, Alexander Johonnuson, Andri Orrason, Gudmundur Karason
  • Patent number: 11786382
    Abstract: A joint device of an orthosis or prosthesis or for an orthosis or prosthesis with an upper part, a lower part, a joint that comprises a joint axis, about which the upper part is mounted such that it can be swivelled relative to the lower part, and an actuator, which is designed to influence a swivelling of the upper part relative to the lower part. The actuator is mounted at an upper part fixing point on the upper part and at a lower part fixing point on the lower part. At least two joints are arranged between the upper part fixing point and the lower part fixing point, wherein the joints enable a swivelling of the actuator relative to the upper part fixing point and the lower part fixing point, and the joints each form at least one joint axis, at least one of which is not oriented parallel to the joint axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Auberger, Christian Breuer-Ruesch, Sebastian Krepper
  • Patent number: 11786380
    Abstract: The invention discloses a bionic wrist joint based on an asymmetric 3-RRR parallel mechanism, including: an asymmetric 3-RRR parallel mechanism and a drive unit. The asymmetric 3-RRR parallel mechanism includes: a moving platform, a first static platform, and three asymmetrically distributed parallel branch chains, wherein each branch chain includes a passive rod and an active rod. An end of the active rod is connected to the first static platform via the revolute pair, and another end thereof is connected to the passive rod via the revolute pair. The axes of the revolute pairs at two ends of the active rod form an axis included angle. Three axis included angles are different, the passive rod and the moving platform are connected by the revolute pair, and three axis included angles corresponding to the passive rods are different. The drive unit is configured to drive the asymmetric 3-RRR parallel mechanism to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Wen-Bin Chen, Hao Fu, Yu-Lin Zhang, Xiang Fan, Zhi-Jie Zhou, Cai-Hua Xiong
  • Patent number: 11779473
    Abstract: Technology is described to provide a powered prosthetic wrist flexion device or elbow device. This device helps individuals with upper-limb loss to orient and position grasped objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Motion Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin K. Iversen, Jeffrey Christensen, Gregory James Jacobs
  • Patent number: 11771572
    Abstract: Prosthetic feet that allow for heel height adjustment and/or provide metatarsal joint functionality to more closely mimic natural human feet are provided. A prosthetic foot can include an ankle module having a locking mechanism configured to lock the heel at a particular height. The prosthetic foot can also include a toe region that adapts to varying heel heights. The ankle module and/or locking mechanism can be adjusted, controlled, and/or locked via a hydraulic mechanism. The toe region can curve upward relative to a portion of the foot proximal of the toe region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Össur Iceland ehf
    Inventors: Aron Kristbjorn Albertsson, Maria Gudrun Sveinbjornsdottir, Rowan Patrick Robinson Cain, Jeroen Nijman, David Sandahl, Larus Gunnsteinsson
  • Patent number: 11771571
    Abstract: Prosthetic devices, such as prosthetic hands (including, e.g., bionic prosthetic hands controlled by myoelectric signals and/or equipped with force sensors for feedback) can utilize a modular design to simplify assembly and repair. In some embodiments, low-cost additive manufacturing techniques are employed, e.g., to create prosthetic device parts with complex interior geometries and/or functionally integrated components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ALT-BIONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Leo Saavedra, Jackson Cole Heinz, Samuel Everett Woolfolk
  • Patent number: 11766348
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system to assist walking in spinal cord injured people, who preserve hip flexion capacity, comprising a pair of KAFO-type orthoses with: (a) an angular actuator (5) in each knee; (b) an orientation and acceleration sensor (6) on each leg; (c) a power supply and control system (7) to which all the sensors and actuators are connected; (d) a control algorithm deciding when to flex or extend the knee depending on the walking cycle, using information from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignees: UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYA, UNIVERSIDADE DA CORUÑA, UNIVERSIDAD DE EXTREMADURA
    Inventors: Urbano Lugrís Armesto, Javier Cuadrado Aranda, Josep Maria Font Llagunes, Daniel Clos Costa, Francisco Javier Alonso Sánchez, Francisco Romero Sánchez
  • Patent number: 11752016
    Abstract: A liner for an orthopedic or prosthetic device includes a core formed from a porous and compressible material, a first layer secured to the first side of the core and forming a first surface to the liner, and a second layer secured to the second side of the core and forming a second surface to the liner. The first and second layers may comprise different properties from one another and be formed from different materials including fabrics and polymeric materials. A polymeric film may be secured to the core or one of the layers to define at least part of a surface of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: OSSUR ICELAND EHF
    Inventor: Zachariah J. Klutts
  • Patent number: 11744720
    Abstract: An approximation method and system are provided for more quickly controlling a prosthetic or other device by reducing computational processing time in a muscle model that can be used to control the prosthetic. For a given muscle, the approximation method can quickly compute polynomial structures for a muscle length and for each associated moment arms, which may be used to generate a torque for a joint position of a physics model. The physics model, in turn, produces a next joint position and velocity data for driving a prosthetic. The approximation method expands the polynomial structures as long as expansion is possible and sufficiently beneficial. The computations can be performed quickly by expanding the polynomial structures in a way that constrains the muscle length polynomial to the moment arm polynomial structures, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Anton Sobinov, Sergiy Yakovenko, Valeriya Gritsenko, Russell Hardesty, Matthew Boots
  • Patent number: 11730611
    Abstract: An orthopedic device for the orthotic or prosthetic provision of a patient is provided. The orthopedic device includes a knee joint, which has a proximal upper part and a distal lower part arranged pivotably thereon, an ankle joint, a pivoted foot part which can be fastened distally to the ankle joint, and a shin part arranged between the ankle joint and the knee joint. The upper part of the knee joint or a thigh part fastened thereto that can be attached to the patient's body and is coupled with the foot part by means of a force transfer device, which causes a plantar flexion of the foot part when a knee is flexed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: OTTOBOCK SE & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Herman Boiten, Luder Mosler, Martin Pusch, Frederik Te Riele, Joachim Michniewicz, Lenka Harbach
  • Patent number: 11712351
    Abstract: An ankle prosthesis can have a base and an upper hinge component that is pivotably attached to the base about an axis. First and second biasing elements can bias the upper hinge component in first and second rotational directions, respectively. At least one selectively extendable and retractable locking element can extend from one of the base and the upper hinge component and engage the other of the base and the upper hinge component to limit the pivotable movement of the upper hinge component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: United States Government As Represented By The Department Of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Sara Koehler McNicholas, Eric Nickel, Stuart Fairhurst, Justin Keister, Andrew H. Hansen
  • Patent number: 11707367
    Abstract: A method for configuring a myoelectrically controlled prosthetic system with a prosthesis socket and several lead electrodes for recording electric muscle activities, featuring the steps: placement of a surface electrode arrangement comprising several surface electrodes around the circumference of a residual limb, recording of electric muscle activity in muscles of the residual limb as electromyograhic signals, the activity being recorded by the surface electrodes, evaluation of the myoelectric signals with regards to the distinctness of the signals, selection of the control procedure that is to be used to control the prosthesis system, based on the evaluation of the distinctness of the signals, and fixing of the lead electrodes to the prosthesis socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Messner, Sebastian Amsuess, Georg Brandmayr, Martin Wehrle, Markus Friedrich, Johannes Steininger
  • Patent number: 11690736
    Abstract: A rotary drive member drives a driven member. A ring surrounding the driven member has two cam recesses containing lock members between cam surfaces of cam recesses and the ring. Each recess accommodates an associated lock member at different locations where the recess is shallower. Driving the driven member is permitted in a given rotation relative to the ring, but each lock member inhibits rotation of the driven member in the opposite sense. The recesses extend in opposite directions. Coupling between the driven members is free-play whereby reversal in the rotation disengages members and reengages. Protuberances extending into cam recesses retain a lock member associated with one recess at the deeper location permitting movement of the other lock member towards the shallower location. Upon reversal of the rotation, the protuberances retain another lock member at the deeper location permitting movement of one lock member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Hugh Steeper Limited
    Inventors: Garry Marsh, James Sykes
  • Patent number: 11679009
    Abstract: An orthosis or prosthesis system comprising at least one orthosis or prosthesis, at least one pair of electrodes for contacting the body of the user of the orthosis or prosthesis in order to capture muscle-related signals, at least one evaluation unit for muscle-related signals captured by the at least one electrode pair, at least one actuator for moving the at least one orthosis or prosthesis, and at least one control unit for controlling the at least one actuator. The at least one electrode pair is designed to capture at least a first muscle-related signal using a first measurement frequency and a second muscle-related signal using a second measurement frequency. The at least one evaluation unit evaluates a phase of the first signal and a phase of the second signal. The muscle-related signals can be bioimpedance signals. The system makes it possible to distinguish between muscle contractions and interfering signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Martin Ryschka, Roman Kusche