Abstract: An apparatus for providing a person with stimuli corresponding to an external operation on a sensor of a prosthetic device used in conjunction with a prosthetic or sensory impaired limb. A lower limb prosthesis includes sensors located in a prosthetic foot, contacts in the socket producing stimuli felt on the residual limb, and an electronic unit to adjust and control the magnitude of the stimuli. The sensors are either inductance-based or resistance-based. An upper limb prosthesis comprises a pressure sensor located in the thumb of a prosthetic hand, a vibrating motor generating sensations felt in the residual limb and an electronic circuit to control the vibrating motor and to adjust the intensity of the vibrations. An apparatus for a sensory impaired limb providing a sense of feel to a remote but unimpaired body part are constructed in a similar manner.

Abstract: A medical sensor responds to a predetermined condition, such as pressure against a human body area susceptible to ulcer formation, and provides wireless communication of the sensing of the condition. It does this by changing a characteristic of a resonant circuit applied to the sensitive area of the human body and energized by electromagnetic induction. An electromagnetic wave transmitter of a monitoring system is disposed adjacent a support, such as a bed, for the human body. A resonant signal detector is disposed adjacent the support. The monitoring system can also comprise a controller that can compute an exposure time value and/or a shift frequency value. With the foregoing an electromagnetic field is provided across a region of the patient on the support, and resonant signals are propagated in response to the predetermined condition and the electromagnetic field and wirelessly communicated to the resonant signal detector.

Abstract: An improved above-the-knee prosthesis with an anatomically configured socket is characterized by one or more contours which correspond to a pre-selected anatomical contour of the upper or lower residual thigh. By exaggerating the depth of the contour in the socket as compared with the corresponding contour in the thigh, the socket grips the residual thigh and maintains the femur in proper alignment. The new channels and contours allow the patient using the socket to have improved rotational support and control over the prosthesis by providing structures which the muscles of the upper and lower residual thigh can "grip." The socket snugly contains the thigh and maintains it, throughout the gait cycle, in a proper anatomical position. This fit increases the comfort of the prosthesis and minimizes gait abnormalities common with other artificial limbs. The increased support helps maintain the physical condition of the residual limb.

Abstract: An above-the-knee prosthesis with an anatomically configured socket. The socket is characterized by one or more contours which correspond to pre-selected anatomical contours of the residual thigh. By slightly exaggerating the depth of the contour in the socket as compared with the corresponding contour in the thigh, the socket grips the residual thigh and maintains the femur in proper alignment and prevents rotation. Thus, discomfort and the gait abnormalities common in above-the-knee prostheses are reduced or eliminated. A system of inflatable compartments may be included for adjusting the size and fit of the prosthesis. Each of the inflatable compartments corresponds to one of the anatomical contours in the socket and is separately inflatable. In this way, the patient may adjust the dimensions of the socket and, more specifically, the depths of certain contours in the socket as needed to accommodate changes in the size of the residual thigh due to fluid shifts or swelling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prosthetic foot comprising an integrally formed, flexible keel preferably in a cosmetic covering. The keel has a forefoot portion and a heel portion joined by an ankle portion. The inferior aspect of the ankle portion defines an arch which expands in response to a load, and the superior aspect of the ankle portion forms a platform which engages a conventional leg assembly. The forefoot portion is contoured, thicker on the medial side than on the lateral side, which shifts the midline of weight distribution in the forefoot portion medially. This provides a more natural alignment of the foot during the gait cycle. The toe end of the forefoot portion is biased along the natural toe break line. The posterior aspect of the ankle portion defines a concavity under the platform which is continuous with the superior aspect of the heel portion. A horizontal slot continuous with the concavity extends from the posterior aspect of the ankle portion between the platform and the arch.