Abstract: Breathable residual-limb system that admits air and allows sweat to evaporate from the surface of the residual limb. In an embodiment, the system comprises a liner sock to be worn on the residual limb, and comprising air-permeable textile forming a substantially cylindrical portion that is closed on a distal end and open on a proximal end and comprising an internal surface and an external surface. The liner sock further comprises a friction-interface material that covers only a portion of the internal surface of the air-permeable textile, such that, when worn on the residual limb, the friction-interface material contacts a surface of the residual limb, and an uncovered portion of the air-permeable textile which the friction-interface material does not cover allows air to pass between an external environment of the liner sock and the surface of the residual limb.

Abstract: A foot cover for a prosthetic foot can allow a user to more easily remove the foot cover when the foot cover needs to be switched out or cleaned. The foot cover can have a hinge near a heel end of the foot cover. The hinge can allow a user to rotate a section of the foot cover to increase the size of the opening so that the foot prosthetic can be inserted into or removed from an inner cavity of the foot cover. The foot cover can be an easily separable two-part foot cover, the two parts coupled together with magnets or another mechanical fastener.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot can allow a user to engage in different activity levels, for example, walking and running using the same prosthetic foot. The prosthetic foot can have an elongate sole member, a first upper member, and a second pre-compressed upper member such that a distal end of the second upper member is biased toward the first upper member. A spacer between the distal ends of the first and second upper members can facilitate sliding of the distal end of the second upper member during ambulation to vary the stiffness of the foot. The spacer can also improve the lever arm length of the second upper member by maintaining a gap between the first and second upper members throughout ambulation.

Abstract: Breathable residual-limb system that admits air and allows sweat to evaporate from the surface of the residual limb. In an embodiment, the system comprises a liner sock to be worn on the residual limb, and comprising air-permeable textile forming a substantially cylindrical portion that is closed on a distal end and open on a proximal end and comprising an internal surface and an external surface. The liner sock further comprises a friction-interface material that covers only a portion of the internal surface of the air-permeable textile, such that, when worn on the residual limb, the friction-interface material contacts a surface of the residual limb, and an uncovered portion of the air-permeable textile which the friction-interface material does not cover allows air to pass between an external environment of the liner sock and the surface of the residual limb.

Abstract: A variable stiffness spring assembly includes first and second members made of a first material and separated by a gap along at least a portion of their lengths, and one or more layers made of a second material disposed in the gap. The variable stiffness spring assembly can be incorporated into or take the form of a limb support assembly, such as a prosthetic foot. The second material disposed between the first and second members is rate-sensitive or speed-dependent, such that the material exhibits different properties when the user of the prosthetic foot is walking at high or fast walking speeds compared to low or slow walking speeds. The prosthetic foot can exhibit high damping and energy absorption, and therefore stability, at slow speeds, and high energy return at faster speeds.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot can allow a user to engage in different activity levels, for example, walking and running using the same prosthetic foot. The prosthetic foot can have a generally C-shaped upper foot member coupled to a heel member near a toe portion of the prosthetic foot. The heel member can extend from a toe end to a heel end. The prosthetic foot can include a resilient member that can be split into a first component and a second component. The prosthetic foot can include a heel stiffening mechanism with different configurations to adjust a heel stiffness of the prosthetic foot.

Abstract: A prosthetic system includes a movable joint defining at least one gap, and at least one spacer unit positionable in the at least one gap. The at least one spacer unit includes a resilient element that is controllably deformable to vary a thickness of the at least one spacer unit to fill the at least one gap, and to reduce the likelihood of the at least one spacer unit interfering with relative movement between components of the movable joint. The at least one material forming the resilient element is compressible in a first direction with little or no expansion in a second direction normal to the first direction.

Abstract: A prosthetic system includes a movable joint defining at least one gap, and at least one spacer unit positionable in the at least one gap. The at least one spacer unit includes a resilient element that is controllably deformable to vary a thickness of the at least one spacer unit to fill the at least one gap, and to reduce the likelihood of the at least one spacer unit interfering with relative movement between components of the movable joint. The at least one material forming the resilient element is compressible in a first direction with little or no expansion in a second direction normal to the first direction.

Abstract: Breathable residual-limb system that admits air and allows sweat to evaporate from the surface of the residual limb. In an embodiment, the system comprises a liner sock to be worn on the residual limb, and comprising air-permeable textile forming a substantially cylindrical portion that is closed on a distal end and open on a proximal end and comprising an internal surface and an external surface. The liner sock further comprises a friction-interface material that covers only a portion of the internal surface of the air-permeable textile, such that, when worn on the residual limb, the friction-interface material contacts a surface of the residual limb, and an uncovered portion of the air-permeable textile which the friction-interface material does not cover allows air to pass between an external environment of the liner sock and the surface of the residual limb.

Abstract: A limb support device includes a variable stiffness mechanism. The limb support device can be an orthotic or prosthetic device. The variable stiffness mechanism can include, for example, a rate-sensitive or speed-dependent material or a damping mechanism. The variable stiffness mechanism causes the limb support device to exhibit different properties when the user of the limb support device is walking at high or fast walking speeds compared to low or slow walking speeds. The limb support device can exhibit high damping and energy absorption, and therefore stability, at slow speeds, and high energy return at faster speeds.

Abstract: A prosthetic system includes a movable joint defining at least one gap, and at least one spacer unit positionable in the at least one gap. The at least one spacer unit includes a resilient element that is controllably deformable to vary a thickness of the at least one spacer unit to fill the at least one gap, and to reduce the likelihood of the at least one spacer unit interfering with relative movement between components of the movable joint. The at least one material forming the resilient element is compressible in a first direction with little or no expansion in a second direction normal to the first direction.

Abstract: A structure assembled by first and second stackable layers having properties allowing for the first and second stackable layers to be shaped into at least first and second different shapes, and at least one fastener to releasably secure the first and second stackable layers together in one of the at least first and second shapes in a semi-rigid or rigid, and unitary construction. The first and second stackable layers are secured into one of the at least first and second shapes by the at least one fastener to form a semi-rigid or rigid, and unitary construction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthetic foot with a housing (12) on which a connector (15) for a below-knee prosthesis can be arranged, with a forefoot (21) and a heel (43), wherein the housing (12) and the forefoot (21) are connected by at least one forefoot spring element (28), wherein the forefoot (21) and the heel (43) are connected by at least one sole spring element (41), and wherein the heel (43) and the housing (12) are connected by at least one heel spring element (30), wherein the end portions belonging to the at least one forefoot spring element (28) and to the at least one sole spring element (41), and assigned to the forefoot (21), are positioned relative to each other with at least one holding mechanism (34) in such a way that the at least one forefoot spring element (28) and the at least one sole spring element (41) are guided movably relative to each other along their longitudinal axis during a rollover movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates in the field of orthopedics to an artificial ankle which imitates the natural human gait in a proper way, thereby enabling its user to walk not only in a plane environment but also uphill and downhill without any unpleasant effects. The present invention further relates to an artificial foot and an artificial leg containing said artificial ankle.

Abstract: The present invention relates in the field of orthopedics to an artificial ankle which imitates the natural human gait in a proper way, thereby enabling its user to walk not only in a plane environment but also uphill and downhill without any unpleasant effects. The present invention further relates to an artificial foot and an artificial leg containing said artificial ankle.