Patents by Inventor Dirk SEIFERT
Dirk SEIFERT has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240156665Abstract: Methods for controlling an orthopedic technical device having a top part and a bottom part, which are connected to each other by at least one joint device so as to be pivotable about a joint axis, and at least one attachment device with which the orthopedic technical device can be fixed to a limb are provided. The orthopedic technical device also has an actuator, which is fixed to attachment points on the top part and the bottom part and influences a pivoting of the top part relative to the bottom part, wherein the orientation of the bottom part can be adjusted relative to the limb which is fixable to the upper part.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2024Publication date: May 16, 2024Inventors: Dirk SEIFERT, Roland AUBERGER, Christian BREUER-RUESCH, Alexander Noah SPRING, Marco VOLKMAR
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Patent number: 11963888Abstract: A method for controlling the standing-phase damping of an artificial knee joint comprising an upper part and a lower part which are secured together in a pivotal manner about a pivot axis, a resistance unit which is arranged between the upper part and the lower part and has an adjustment device via which the damping resistance can be modified, and a control unit which is coupled to the adjustment device and which is connected to at least one sensor. The adjustment is carried out on the basis of sensor data, and the knee angle is detected by the at least one sensor during the standing-phase inflexion up to the terminal standing phase. The flexion damping is increased to a level above an initial flexion damping in order to prevent a further inflexion upon reaching a specified maximum knee angle.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBHInventors: Dirk Seifert, Sven Zarling
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Patent number: 11931273Abstract: A method for controlling an artificial orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, on which a lower-leg component is arranged and with which a resistance device is associated, the bending resistance (R) of which resistance device is changed in dependence on sensor data that are determined by at least one sensor during the use of the orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, wherein a linear acceleration (aF) of the lower-leg component is determined, the determined linear acceleration (aF) is compared with at least one threshold value, and, if a threshold value of the linear acceleration (aF) of the lower-leg component is reached, the bending resistance (R) is changed.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBHInventors: Roland Auberger, Martin Seyr, Clemens Mandl, Dirk Seifert, Hans Dietl
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Patent number: 11865061Abstract: An orthopedic technical device having a top part and a bottom part, which are connected to each other by at least one joint device so as to be pivotable about a joint axis, and at least one attachment device with which the orthopedic technical device can be fixed to a limb. The orthopedic technical device also has an actuator, which is fixed to attachment points on the top part and the bottom part and influences a pivoting of the top part relative to the bottom part, wherein the orientation of the bottom part can be adjusted relative to the limb which is fixable to the upper part.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBHInventors: Dirk Seifert, Roland Auberger, Christian Breuer-Ruesch, Alexander Noah Spring, Marco Volkmar
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Publication number: 20230398005Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a prosthetic foot (10) which has an upper part (11) with a fastening element (13) for a proximal prosthetic component (20) and a foot part (12) mounted thereon so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (15), comprising a resistance device (40) used to counteract a pivoting movement of the foot part (12) relative to the upper part (11) by way of an adjustable resistance (Am), and comprising a control device (70) which is coupled to the resistance device (40) and to at least one sensor (60) and by means of which the resistance to pivoting is set on the basis of sensor data, wherein ground contact of the foot part (12) with the ground is determined by way of at least one sensor (60), wherein the relative spatial position of the foot part (12) and/or of the upper part (11) is determined using an inertial measurement unit (30) and wherein the resistance (Am) to pivoting is altered on the basis of the presence or lack of ground contact and the determined relative spaType: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2021Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Michael Ernst, Martin Seyr, Alexander Pappe, Dirk Seifert, Andreas Bohland, Thomas Hofmann
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Publication number: 20230363930Abstract: The invention relates to a method for configuring a controller of an orthopedic device, which has at least one data processing device (10), sensors (20) coupled thereto and an actuator (30) which is activated and/or deactivated by the data processing device (10), the controller having a basic function block (40), in which a basic functionality of the actuator (30) is defined, a plurality of additional function blocks (60), which have different additional functionalities, being provided to an interface device (50) from a memory (15) and at least one additional function block (60) being selected and added to the basic function block (40) by way of the interface device (50), there being an interface (46) between the basic function block (40) and the at least one additional function block (60), the compatibility of the functionalities being checked and an overall functionality being generated at said interface, an adjustment of at least one functionality being carried out to establish compatibility, or an inclusiType: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2021Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventor: Dirk Seifert
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Publication number: 20230310182Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a prosthesis or orthesis of the lower extremity, the prosthesis or orthesis comprising an upper part (10) and a lower part (20) which is connected to the upper part (10) via a knee joint and is mounted so as to be pivotable relative to the upper part (10) about a joint pin (15); wherein an adjustable resistance device (40) is situated between the upper part (10) and the lower part (20), by means of which resistance device a resistance (Rf) is modified on the basis of sensor data; wherein state information is detected by sensors, a cyclical movement different from walking is determined and the resistance (Rf) is adjusted to a low level during the cyclical movement; wherein determining the cyclical movement comprises the following steps: a. detecting the flexion angle (?K) and at least one absolute angle (?S) of the lower part (20) and/or the upper part (10) over at least one movement cycle, b.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2021Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Thomas Hofmann, Dirk Seifert
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Publication number: 20230293320Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a prosthesis or orthosis of the lower extremity, which prosthesis or orthosis has an upper part (10) and a lower part (20), which lower part is connected to the upper part (10) by means of a knee joint (1) and is mounted for pivoting relative to the upper part (10) about a joint shaft (15); wherein an adjustable resistance device (40) is disposed between the upper part (10) and the lower part (20), by means of which resistance device a flexion resistance (Rf) is changed on the basis of sensor data; wherein an axial force (FA) acting on the lower part is sensed by at least one sensor (54) and is used as the basis for a change of the flexion resistance (Rf); wherein, in the case of decreasing axial force (FA) and/or an approximately vertical position of a leg tendon (70) and/or of an extended knee joint (1), the flexion resistance (Rf) is reduced; and wherein the flexion resistance (Rf) is increased again if, within a temporally defined interval, no knee flexionType: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2021Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Martin Seyr, Thomas Hofmann, Dirk Seifert, Philipp Kampas, Dries Glorieux
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Publication number: 20230270570Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a prosthesis or orthesis of the lower extremity, which prosthesis or orthesis comprises an upper part (10) and a lower part (20) that is connected to the upper part (20) via a knee joint (1) and is mounted so as to be pivotable relative to the upper part (10) about a joint pin (15); wherein an adjustable resistance device (40) is situated between the upper part (10) and the lower part (20), by means of which resistance device a flexion resistance (Rf) in an early and middle standing phase is modified, during walking, on the basis of sensor data, following initial heel contact up to the middle standing phase; wherein, following the initial heel contact, the flexion resistance (Rf) is increased to a value at which further flexion is blocked or at least slowed; wherein the progression over time of the flexion resistance increase and/or the maximum achievable flexion angle (Af) is modified on the basis of the inclination of the ground or a height difference (?H) tType: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2021Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Thomas Hofmann, Dirk Seifert, Sven Zarling
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Publication number: 20230197242Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling at least one actuator (4) of an orthopedic device (2) with an electronic control device (E), which is coupled to the actuator (4) and at least one sensor (8) and which has an electronic processor (?C) for processing sensor data (s), wherein at least one state machine (SM) in which states (z) of the orthopedic device (2) and state transitions of the actuator (4) are determined is stored in the control device (E), wherein a classifier (K) in which sensor data (s) and/or states (z) are automatically classified within the scope of a classification method is stored in the control device (E), wherein the state machine (SM) and the classification method are used in combination and, on the basis of the classification and the states (z), a decision is made about the manner of activating or deactivating the actuator (4) as a control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventor: Dirk SEIFERT
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Publication number: 20220370224Abstract: The invention relates to an orthopaedic joint comprising an upper part and a lower part pivotably mounted thereon and a resistance device which is located between the upper part and the lower part and provides resistance against a pivoting movement about a pivot axis, and has a resistance adjusting device coupled to a control device which is coupled to at least one sensor such that the resistance can be adjusted by means of the control device on the basis of sensor data transmitted from the at least one sensor to the control device, a function is stored in the control device in which the joint is locked against pivoting in at least one direction in accordance with the sensor data, the function can be activated for locking and deactivated for unlocking on the basis of the sensor data.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2020Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: OTTO BOCK HEALTH CARE PRODUCTS GMBHInventors: Dirk SEIFERT, Florian FUCHS
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Publication number: 20220346982Abstract: A method for controlling an artificial knee joint comprising an upper part and a lower part pivotally connected to each other, a resistance unit arranged between the upper part and the lower part and having an adjusting device to adjust the damping resistance, a control unit, the adjustment taking place on the basis of sensor data from at least one sensor. During the swing phase at least one of the knee angle (KA), the knee angle velocity (KAV), the knee angle acceleration (KAA), the lower limb angle, the lower limb velocity, the lower limb acceleration, the ankle moment (AM) and the axial force (AF) is sensed, the curve of the parameter is determined and the damping resistance is changed when, after an extreme value of the parameter is reached, the monotonic behavior of the curve of the parameter changes within the swing phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicant: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBHInventor: Dirk SEIFERT
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Publication number: 20220323240Abstract: A spring adapter for arrangement on an orthopedic joint system is disclosed, where the orthopedic joint system includes an upper part and a lower part articulated thereto about a pivot axis. The joint system comprises a resistance element that exerts a resistive force on a pivoting movement about the pivot axis. The spring adapter comprises at least one pneumatic spring element, flexible spring element and/or torsion spring element and is tensioned when the upper part is pivoted relative to the lower part.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2020Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBHInventors: Dirk SEIFERT, Stefan HAIDER
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Publication number: 20220304831Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an artificial knee joint which includes an upper part having an anterior side and a posterior side; a lower part mounted on the upper part so as to be pivotable about a knee axis and having an anterior side and a posterior side; a foot part arranged on the lower part; at least one sensor; a control device connected to the at least one sensor; and an actuator which is coupled to the control device and by means of which an achievable knee angle (KAmax) between the posterior side of the upper part and the posterior side of the lower part in the swing phase can be set by the control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2020Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbHInventor: Dirk SEIFERT
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Publication number: 20220225895Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an orthopedic device which supports or replaces a first body part of a wearer and has at least one controllable actuator, wherein the method includes a) determining a chronological profile of at least one parameter, which allows for a conclusion to be made regarding a movement status of the wearer, from measurement values of at least one sensor; b) detecting the movement status from the at least one determined chronological profile; and c) controlling the at least one controllable actuator depending on the identified movement status, wherein at least the chronological profile of at least one parameter of a second body part of the wearer is also used to identify the movement status.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2020Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBHInventors: Dirk SEIFERT, Michael TSCHIEDEL, Robert HOFFMANN
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Publication number: 20220202593Abstract: A method for controlling a damping modification in an artificial knee joint of an orthosis, an exoskeleton, or a prosthesis. The artificial knee joint has an upper part pivotally connected to a lower part. A resistance unit is secured between the upper part and the lower part in order to provide a resistance against a flexion or extension. The resistance unit is paired with an adjustment device to modify the resistance when a sensor signal of a control unit paired with the adjustment device activates the adjustment device. The flexion resistance is reduced for the swing phase. A curve of at least one load characteristic is detected when walking or standing; a maximum of the load characteristic curve when standing is ascertained; and the flexion damping is reduced to a swing-phase damping level during the standing phase when a threshold of the load characteristic below a maximum is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2022Publication date: June 30, 2022Applicant: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBHInventors: Dirk SEIFERT, Roland PAWLIK, Martin SEYR
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Publication number: 20220071780Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an orthotic or prosthetic device and an orthotic or prosthetic device, which can be placed on the body of a user and secured, including a joint device having a proximal component and a distal component, which are pivotally mounted on one another about a pivot axis; at least one adjustable actuator which is arranged between the proximal component and the distal component and via which a movement behaviour relating to a pivoting of the proximal component relative to the distal component can be adjusted; at least one detection device for detecting muscle contractions; and a control device which is coupled to the detection device and to the actuator, processes (electrical) signals from the detection unit, and adjusts the actuator according to the signals, wherein the detection device is designed for detecting muscle contractions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2020Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBHInventors: Dirk SEIFERT, Juan Pablo MEJIA NINO
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Publication number: 20220054043Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating usage data of at least one orthopaedic device which is equipped with sensors for detecting properties, states, or changes in properties or states, wherein the sensors are connected to a transmitter directly or via a storage device and the transmitter transmits the sensor data provided by the sensors to an evaluation unit in a computer network in which the sensor data is processed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2019Publication date: February 24, 2022Applicant: Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbHInventors: Erik Albrecht-Laatsch, Alexander Pappe, Dirk Seifert, Alexander Glier, Philipp Kampas, Christian Hofer, Mario Koppe, Christopher Bartels-Sellering, Jens Drieseberg, Martin Schmidt, Robert Kaitan, Markus Schachinger, Juan Pablo MEJIA NINO, Sven Faulhaber, Jörg Krukenberg, Katharina Olze, Andreas Eichler, Florian Gishamer, Bernhard Prochaska, Christian Kovacs, Eva-Maria Fink, Gregory Lyle Schneider, Sebastian Amsüss
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Patent number: 11229531Abstract: A method for controlling a damping modification in an artificial knee joint of an orthosis, an exoskeleton, or a prosthesis. The artificial knee joint has an upper part pivotally connected to a lower part A resistance unit is secured between the upper part and the lower part in order to provide a resistance against a flexion or extension. The resistance unit is paired with an adjustment device to modify the resistance when a sensor signal of a control unit paired with the adjustment device activates the adjustment device. The flexion resistance is reduced for the swing phase. A curve of at least one load characteristic is detected when walking or standing; a maximum of the load characteristic curve when standing is ascertained; and the flexion damping is reduced to a swing-phase damping level during the standing phase when a threshold of the load characteristic below a maximum is reached.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2016Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBHInventors: Dirk Seifert, Roland Pawlik, Martin Seyr
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Publication number: 20210369474Abstract: A method for controlling an artificial orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, on which a lower-leg component is arranged and with which a resistance device is associated, the bending resistance (R) of which resistance device is changed in dependence on sensor data that are determined by means of at least one sensor during the use of the orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, wherein a linear acceleration (aF) of the lower-leg component is determined, the determined linear acceleration (aF) is compared with at least one threshold value, and, if a threshold value of the linear acceleration (aF) of the lower-leg component is reached, the bending resistance (R) is changed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Applicant: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBHInventors: Roland AUBERGER, Martin SEYR, Clemens MANDL, Dirk SEIFERT, Hans DIETL