Abstract: A prosthetic or orthotic device has an elongate frame that houses electronics and an actuator rotatably mounted to the frame. The actuator can rotate in an anterior-posterior direction about a medial-lateral axis and includes magnetorheological (MR) fluid and a coil operable to selectively apply a magnetic field to the MR fluid to vary its viscosity and thereby vary a torsional resistance of the actuator about the medial-lateral axis. The device contains a layered control system that makes use of data collected by the embedded sensors in a prosthetic device for intent recognition, management, and actuator control. The layered control system uses a Luenberger observer for estimating joint velocity and a heuristic torque-setpoint component to control the function of a MR actuated knee prosthesis.

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 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: 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 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: A vacuum suspension system includes a foot cover having a heel portion and a pump system located in the heel portion. The pump system includes upper and lower sections arranged to move in an axial direction relative to one another and a pump mechanism operatively connected to and positioned between the upper and lower sections. When the heel portion is loaded in stance the pump mechanism moves from an original configuration in which the volume of a fluid chamber defined by the pump mechanism is zero or near-zero, to an expanded configuration in which the volume of the fluid chamber is increased.

Abstract: A vacuum suspension system includes a foot cover having a heel portion and a pump system located in the heel portion. The pump system includes upper and lower sections arranged to move in an axial direction relative to one another and a pump mechanism operatively connected to and positioned between the upper and lower sections. When the heel portion is loaded in stance the pump mechanism moves from an original configuration in which the volume of a fluid chamber defined by the pump mechanism is zero or near-zero, to an expanded configuration in which the volume of the fluid chamber is increased.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for control of a prosthetic or orthotic device (POD) based on electromyography (EMG) signals are described. The POD may be a lower or upper limb POD having one or more joints. One or more EMG sensors may detect the EMG signals. The EMG sensors may be external, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, epimysial, intramuscular, or other types. Control of the POD may be based on EMG and non-EMG signals, such as velocity, acceleration, position, force, etc. Voluntary and/or automatic control may be implemented, for example with voluntary muscle contractions and/or data based on velocity, acceleration, position, force, etc. In some embodiments, the neutral position of an ankle POD is adjusted based on EMG signals.

Abstract: A vacuum suspension system includes a foot cover having a heel portion and a pump system located in the heel portion. The pump system includes upper and lower sections arranged to move in an axial direction relative to one another and a pump mechanism operatively connected to and positioned between the upper and lower sections. When the heel portion is loaded in stance the pump mechanism moves from an original configuration in which the volume of a fluid chamber defined by the pump mechanism is zero or near-zero, to an expanded configuration in which the volume of the fluid chamber is increased.

Abstract: A vacuum suspension system includes a foot cover having a heel portion and a pump system located in the heel portion. The pump system includes upper and lower sections arranged to move in an axial direction relative to one another and a pump mechanism operatively connected to and positioned between the upper and lower sections. When the heel portion is loaded in stance the pump mechanism moves from an original configuration in which the volume of a fluid chamber defined by the pump mechanism is zero or near-zero, to an expanded configuration in which the volume of the fluid chamber is increased.

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 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: 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: A method of regulating pressure inside a prosthetic socket includes measuring pressure inside of a prosthetic socket using one or more sensors operatively coupled to a pump system to obtain pressure information associated with an inside of the prosthetic socket. The pump system has a pump mechanism in fluid communication with the inside of the prosthetic socket. The method involves actuating the pump mechanism without human intervention to regulate vacuum inside of the prosthetic socket based on the pressure information.

Abstract: A vacuum suspension system includes a prosthetic socket adapted to receive a residual limb. A pump system includes a pump mechanism in fluid communication with the prosthetic socket, and at least one sensor associated with the prosthetic socket and/or the pump mechanism. A control system is operably connected to the pump mechanism and the least one sensor. The control system is arranged to receive and process data from the at least one sensor and to actuate the pump mechanism based on the received data from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for control of a prosthetic or orthotic device (POD) based on electromyography (EMG) signals are described. The POD may be a lower or upper limb POD having one or more joints. One or more EMG sensors may detect the EMG signals. The EMG sensors may be external, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, epimysial, intramuscular, or other types. Control of the POD may be based on EMG and non-EMG signals, such as velocity, acceleration, position, force, etc. Voluntary and/or automatic control may be implemented, for example with voluntary muscle contractions and/or data based on velocity, acceleration, position, force, etc. In some embodiments, the neutral position of an ankle POD is adjusted based on EMG signals.

Abstract: A vacuum suspension system includes a foot cover having a heel portion and a pump system located in the heel portion. The pump system includes upper and lower sections arranged to move in an axial direction relative to one another and a pump mechanism operatively connected to and positioned between the upper and lower sections. When the heel portion is loaded in stance the pump mechanism moves from an original configuration in which the volume of a fluid chamber defined by the pump mechanism is zero or near-zero, to an expanded configuration in which the volume of the fluid chamber is increased.

Abstract: A vacuum suspension system includes a pump system arranged to be in fluid communication with a prosthetic socket. The pump system includes a pump mechanism having a housing and a membrane situated on the housing such that a fluid chamber is defined between the membrane and the housing. The pump mechanism is movable between an original configuration in which the volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero, and an expanded configuration in which the volume of the fluid chamber is increased.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for control of a prosthetic or orthotic device (POD) based on electromyography (EMG) signals are described. The POD may be a lower or upper limb POD having one or more joints. One or more EMG sensors may detect the EMG signals. The EMG sensors may be external, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, epimysial, intramuscular, or other types. Control of the POD may be based on EMG and non-EMG signals, such as velocity, acceleration, position, force, etc. Voluntary and/or automatic control may be implemented, for example with voluntary muscle contractions and/or data based on velocity, acceleration, position, force, etc. In some embodiments, the neutral position of an ankle POD is adjusted based on EMG signals.

Abstract: A vacuum suspension system includes a prosthetic socket adapted to receive a residual limb. A pump system includes a pump mechanism in fluid communication with the prosthetic socket, and at least one sensor associated with the prosthetic socket and/or the pump mechanism. A control system is operably connected to the pump mechanism and the least one sensor. The control system is arranged to receive and process data from the at least one sensor and to actuate the pump mechanism based on the received data from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A vacuum suspension system includes a pump system arranged to be in fluid communication with a prosthetic socket. The pump system includes a pump mechanism having a housing and a membrane situated on the housing such that a fluid chamber is defined between the membrane and the housing. The pump mechanism is movable between an original configuration in which the volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero, and an expanded configuration in which the volume of the fluid chamber is increased.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for control of a prosthetic or orthotic device (POD) based on electromyography (EMG) signals are described. The POD may be a lower or upper limb POD having one or more joints. One or more EMG sensors may detect the EMG signals. The EMG sensors may be external, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, epimysial, intramuscular, or other types. Control of the POD may be based on EMG and non-EMG signals, such as velocity, acceleration, position, force, etc. Voluntary and/or automatic control may be implemented, for example with voluntary muscle contractions and/or data based on velocity, acceleration, position, force, etc. In some embodiments, the neutral position of an ankle POD is adjusted based on EMG signals.

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 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.