Abstract: A prosthetic foot includes a foot portion and a switching adapter. The switching adapter includes a first member coupled to the foot portion, a second member, a third member interposed between the first member and the second member, and a locking mechanism. The third member has a first side wall and a second side wall larger in length than the first side wall. The third member is configured to rotate relative to the first member and the second member towards a first position, thereby placing the prosthetic device in a walking mode. The third member is further configured to rotate relative to the first member and the second member towards a second position, thereby placing the prosthetic device in a running mode. The locking mechanism is configured to rotate with the third member in response to rotation of the third member.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee includes a hydraulic resistance system with an extension hydraulic circuit and a flexion hydraulic circuit. The flexion hydraulic circuit includes a switchable resistance assembly with a mechanical switch. The mechanical switch has an engaged position and a released position. The switchable resistance assembly provides a first level of hydraulic resistance when the mechanical switch is in the released position and a second level of hydraulic resistance when the mechanical switch is in the engaged position, the second level being less than the first level. The mechanical switch moves to the engaged position when the hydraulic resistance element reaches a predetermined extension position and moves back to the released position when fluid flow falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot includes a foot portion and a switching adapter. The switching adapter includes a first member coupled to the foot portion, a second member, a third member interposed between the first member and the second member, and a locking mechanism. The third member has a first side wall and a second side wall larger in length than the first side wall. The third member is configured to rotate relative to the first member and the second member towards a first position, thereby placing the prosthetic device in a walking mode. The third member is further configured to rotate relative to the first member and the second member towards a second position, thereby placing the prosthetic device in a running mode. The locking mechanism is configured to rotate with the third member in response to rotation of the third member.

Abstract: A prosthetic elbow includes a fixed member structure and a powered gearbox mechanism housed in a housing structure for rotating the forearm portion to varying angular positions. The powered gearbox mechanism includes a motor attached to the housing structure, a planetary frictional drive connected to a motor shaft of the motor and the housing structure, and a strain wave gear set having an input driven by the planetary fictional drive and an output attached to the fixed member structure, where the powered gearbox mechanism is configured to convert an output of the motor into a rotation of the housing structure relative to the fixed member structure, thereby causing the rotation of the forearm portion to varying angular positions relative to the upper arm. The fixed member structure and the housing structure each are connected to one of a forearm portion and an upper arm portion and rotatable relative to one another about an axis of rotation of the forearm portion.

Abstract: An adjustable counterbalance mechanism for a prosthetic elbow includes a torsional spring disposed in a housing structure coaxially to an axis of rotation of a forearm portion and a cord and pulley arrangement which includes a first pulley, a second pulley and a link member attached to a fixed member structure. The first pulley is attached to a second portion of the spring and connected to the second pulley by a first cord. The second pulley is pivotally attached to the housing structure and connected to the link member by a second cord. The cord and pulley arrangement is configured to transfer a moment of force due to spring force to the forearm portion to counteract the torque of a forearm due to gravity as the angle of the forearm portion changes relative to the upper arm portion.

Abstract: A prosthetic elbow includes a fixed member structure and a powered gearbox mechanism housed in a housing structure for rotating the forearm portion to varying angular positions. The powered gearbox mechanism includes a motor attached to the housing structure, a planetary frictional drive connected to a motor shaft of the motor and the housing structure, and a strain wave gear set having an input driven by the planetary fictional drive and an output attached to the fixed member structure, where the powered gearbox mechanism is configured to convert an output of the motor into a rotation of the housing structure relative to the fixed member structure, thereby causing the rotation of the forearm portion to varying angular positions relative to the upper arm. The fixed member structure and the housing structure each are connected to one of a forearm portion and an upper arm portion and rotatable relative to one another about an axis of rotation of the forearm portion.

Abstract: An adjustable counterbalance mechanism for a prosthetic elbow includes a torsional spring disposed in a housing structure coaxially to an axis of rotation of a forearm portion and a cord and pulley arrangement which includes a first pulley, a second pulley and a link member attached to a fixed member structure. The first pulley is attached to a second portion of the spring and connected to the second pulley by a first cord. The second pulley is pivotally attached to the housing structure and connected to the link member by a second cord. The cord and pulley arrangement is configured to transfer a moment of force due to spring force to the forearm portion to counteract the torque of a forearm due to gravity as the angle of the forearm portion changes relative to the upper arm portion.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee includes a hydraulic resistance system with an extension hydraulic circuit and a flexion hydraulic circuit. The flexion hydraulic circuit includes a switchable resistance assembly with a mechanical switch. The mechanical switch has an engaged position and a released position. The switchable resistance assembly provides a first level of hydraulic resistance when the mechanical switch is in the released position and a second level of hydraulic resistance when the mechanical switch is in the engaged position, the second level being less than the first level. The mechanical switch moves to the engaged position when the hydraulic resistance element reaches a predetermined extension position and moves back to the released position fluid flow falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A hydraulic prosthetic device has upper and lower portions and a hydraulic cylinder coupled thereto for damping relative motion. The cylinder has a movable piston and a first and second chamber. A three-way valve includes a housing and a movable portion cooperating to define a hydraulic circuit. The movable portion has a master port, an inlet port and an outlet port, and the housing has an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and a master opening each positioned to fluidly communicate with the respective port. The inlet port and/or the inlet opening, and the outlet port and/or the outlet opening are shaped such that movement of the movable portion of the valve relative to the housing varies a resistance to the fluid flow related to movement or the prosthetic portions in both directions.

Abstract: Prosthetic joint and limb components utilize a single, curved dampening cylinder to reduce component count and wear. A prosthetic foot/ankle requires only three major components; namely, a housing adapted for coupling to a foot blade, an ankle component adapted for coupling to a pylon, and a piston that moves within a curved cylinder in the housing during ambulation. The ankle component is pivotally attached to the housing at the center of curvature of the cylinder. The piston defines front and rear, variable volume chambers in the cylinder. The chambers are in fluid communication with one another via a port, such that fluid is exchanged between the chambers through one-way check valves as the ankle pivots between plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. Fluid flow is independently adjustable to establish and maintain desired levels of dampening during plantarflexion and dorsiflexion, including different levels of dampening.

Abstract: Prosthetic joint and limb components utilize a single, curved dampening cylinder to reduce component count and wear. A prosthetic foot/ankle requires only three major components; namely, a housing adapted for coupling to a foot blade, an ankle component adapted for coupling to a pylon, and a piston that moves within a curved cylinder in the housing during ambulation. The ankle component is pivotally attached to the housing at the center of curvature of the cylinder. The piston defines front and rear, variable volume chambers in the cylinder. The chambers are in fluid communication with one another via a port, such that fluid is exchanged between the chambers through one-way check valves as the ankle pivots between plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. Fluid flow is independently adjustable to establish and maintain desired levels of dampening during plantarflexion and dorsiflexion, including different levels of dampening.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot having an adjustable height heel includes a frame portion with an ankle link pivotally supported on the frame portion at a first pivot axis. A detent rod is pivotally connected to the ankle at a second pivot axis, and a detent member is pivotally affixed to the frame portion at a third pivot axis. The detent member is selectively operable to receive and releasably retain a length of the detent rod therein so that the length of the detent rod extending between the second and third pivot axes may be selectably adjusted. When the length of the rod is so adjusted, the angular relationship of the frame portion and the ankle link is changed thereby changing the heel height of the foot. The detent mechanism may be activated by various means including fluidic means, mechanical means, electromechanical means, and the like.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot having an adjustable height heel includes a frame portion with an ankle link pivotally supported on the frame portion at a first pivot axis. A detent rod is pivotally connected to the ankle at a second pivot axis, and a detent member is pivotally affixed to the frame portion at a third pivot axis. The detent member is selectively operable to receive and releasably retain a length of the detent rod therein so that the length of the detent rod extending between the second and third pivot axes may be selectably adjusted. When the length of the rod is so adjusted, the angular relationship of the frame portion and the ankle link is changed thereby changing the heel height of the foot. The detent mechanism may be activated by various means including fluidic means, mechanical means, electromechanical means, and the like.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot includes a sole plate having a body formed of resilient material. The sole plate is elongated along an anterior and posterior axis wherein an anterior portion of the plate defines a toe portion and the posterior portion defines a heel portion. An ankle member having a planar portion in contact with the sole plate is rigidly affixed to the sole plate at the heel portion. The ankle member has an extension portion positioned anterior of the planar portion and separated from the planar portion by a transition portion. A resilient pad is disposed between the contact portion of the ankle member and the sole plate. The resilient pad and extension portion of ankle member define a gap such that as a user's weight is transferred anterior following initial contact, the extension portion of the ankle member tilts forward reducing the gap formed between the resilient pad and the extension portion for improving the dorsiflexion of the prosthetic foot.