Abstract: The present invention in one embodiment is a vacuum pump including a compressible elastomeric member with an internal reservoir enclosing a volume of fluid, an outlet port providing fluid communication between the internal reservoir and a fluid sink, and an inlet port providing fluid communication between the internal reservoir and a fluid source. The pump further includes first and second pressure elements coupled to the elastomeric member on opposing sides. At least one of the first and second pressure elements is adapted to apply a longitudinal force along, and a rotational force about, an axis extending through the compressible elastomeric member. Upon the application of a longitudinal compression force to the compressible elastomeric member, fluid flows from the internal reservoir to the fluid sink and upon the application of a longitudinal expansion force, fluid flows from the fluid source to the internal reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthetic foot with a base spring (23) with a forefoot area (231) and a heel area (232), a connecting means (9, 10) arranged above the base spring (23) and used to fasten the prosthetic foot to a prosthesis, and a frontal support (25, 26, 27), at the upper end (140) of which the connecting means (9, 10) is arranged and which, at its lower end (250), is secured on a torsion element (28) that can twist about the longitudinal axis (230) of the prosthetic foot, wherein the torsion element (28) is designed as a leaf spring arrangement secured to the base spring (23) at one end in the heel area (232) or in the forefoot area (231).

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial foot with a connecting part for a lower leg part, a forefoot part which is pivotably connected to the connecting part by means of an upper coupling element and a lower coupling element in such a way that an angular position of the connecting part controls an angular position of the forefoot part, one of the coupling elements extending into a heel area of the foot.

Abstract: An artificial foot has a connecting part for a lower leg part, and a base foot part rotatably connected to the connecting part via an ankle joint. The base foot part extends rearwards of the ankle joint in a heel section and forwards of the ankle joint in a midfoot section. A forefoot part is rotatably connected to the midfoot section. In order to allow an automatic adaptation of the foot to varying heel heights while ensuring a good stability, an articulated connection transmits the angular position of the connecting part in relation to the base foot part in a proportional manner to the angular position of the forefoot part in relation to the base foot part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump comprising a wall, which forms an enclosed fluid volumetric space and which can be moved by a first force in a direction resulting in a decrease in volume and, after a preceding decrease in volumetric space, can be moved by a second force in a direction resulting in an increase in volume. The pump also comprises an inlet valve, which communicates with an inlet valve, and comprises an outlet valve in an outlet line of the fluid volumetric space. The inventive pump has a compact design due to the fact that it is provided in the form of a vacuum pump whose volumetric space can be decreased by the external first force acting against an elastically deformable material whose restoring force, after the external force ceases, generates the second force acting counter to the generated vacuum.

Abstract: The invention relates to an orthopedic appliance which is designed to support the weight of a patient and comprises a power supply device for an electrical consumer. The aim of the invention is to be able to convert the kinetic energy introduced into the appliance into electrical energy. To this end, the power supply device comprises a stack (7) of piezoelectric ceramic elements, and the force of the weight is introduced into the stack (7) by means of a force transmission system.

Abstract: A valve arrangement with a base part (1), which has securing means (11) for securing the valve arrangement to a place of use and has an axially continuous bore (6) with an inner wall (7), with a valve insert part (15), which can be inserted with a stub (16) into the bore (6), sealed by a seal (18) with respect to the inner wall (6), and has at least one latching element (29) with which the valve insert part (15) can be latched in the inserted and sealed position, by elastic engagement over a locking projection (8) in the base part (1), and on which an actuating element (28) is located for releasing and removing the valve insert part (15) from the base part (1), and with an adjustable valve element (31), which is mounted in a chamber (21) of the valve insert part (31) having a valve seat (24, 38) and with which a fluid connection all the way through the valve arrangement can be established or shut off, is easy to produce and assemble and is also convenient to operate, by virtue of the fact that, on the stub

Abstract: The present invention in one embodiment is a vacuum pump including a compressible elastomeric member with an internal reservoir enclosing a volume of fluid, an outlet port providing fluid communication between the internal reservoir and a fluid sink, and an inlet port providing fluid communication between the internal reservoir and a fluid source. The pump further includes first and second pressure elements coupled to the elastomeric member on opposing sides. At least one of the first and second pressure elements is adapted to apply a longitudinal force along, and a rotational force about, an axis extending through the compressible elastomeric member. Upon the application of a longitudinal compression force to the compressible elastomeric member, fluid flows from the internal reservoir to the fluid sink and upon the application of a longitudinal expansion force, fluid flows from the fluid source to the internal reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to an orthopedic appliance which is designed to support the weight of a patient and comprises a power supply device for an electrical consumer. the aim of the invention is to be able to convert the kinetic energy introduced into the appliance into electrical energy. to this end, the power supply device comprises a stack (7) of piezoelectric ceramic elements, and the force of the weight is introduced into the stack (7) by means of a force transmission system.

Abstract: In a clamping freewheel having a sleeve (5) which encloses a shaft (7, 9) and in which the shaft (7, 9) is mounted in an axially displaceable manner, having rolling elements (6) which are arranged in chambers, formed between shaft (7, 9) and sleeve (5), in such a way that they roll in a first direction for a relative rotation between shaft (7, 9) and sleeve (5), whereas a torque acting in the opposite direction leads to the clamping of the rolling elements (6) in their chamber, having a transmission element (11) arranged on the shaft (7, 9), and having an actuating element (16) for the axial displacement of the transmission element (11) arranged on the shaft (7, 9), the function of the axial displacement is separated from the function of the clamping by virtue of the fact that the shaft (7, 9) consists of a hollow shaft piece (7) and an inner piece (9) axially displaceable therein, but mounted in a rotationally locked manner, and that the actuating element (16) and the transmission element (11) are arranged o

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial foot having a connecting part (3, 3?) for a lower leg part (5), and a base foot part (1, 1?) rotatably connected to the connecting part (3, 3?) via an ankle joint (2). Said base foot part extends rearwards of the ankle joint (2) in a heel section (8) and forwards of the ankle joint (2) in a midfoot section (11, 11?). A forefoot part (12, 12?) is rotatably connected to the midfoot section (11, 11?). In order to allow an automatic adaptation of the foot to varying heel heights while ensuring a good stability, an articulated connection transmits the angular position of the connecting part (3, 3?) in relation to the base foot part (1, 1?) in a proportional manner to the angular position of the forefoot part (12, 12?) in relation to the base foot part (1, 1?).

Abstract: In a clamping freewheel having a sleeve (5) which encloses a shaft (7, 9) and in which the shaft (7, 9) is mounted in an axially displaceable manner, having rolling elements (6) which are arranged in chambers, formed between shaft (7, 9) and sleeve (5), in such a way that they roll in a first direction for a relative rotation between shaft (7, 9) and sleeve (5), whereas a torque acting in the opposite direction leads to the clamping of the rolling elements (6) in their chamber, having a transmission element (11) arranged on the shaft (7, 9), and having an actuating element (16) for the axial displacement of the transmission element (11) arranged on the shaft (7, 9), the function of the axial displacement is separated from the function of the clamping by virtue of the fact that the shaft (7, 9) consists of a hollow shaft piece (7) and an inner piece (9) axially displaceable therein, but mounted in a rotationally locked manner, and that the actuating element (16) and the transmission element (11) are arranged o

Abstract: The invention relates to a resilient foot insert for an artificial foot, having at least one spring element that determines the spring rigidity of the artificial foot, and an adapting device for changing the spring rigidity of the spring element. In order to improve and simplify the adaptation of the foot insert to the respective use conditions, the invention provides that the adapting device be automatically actuated as a function of the respective loading to which the foot insert is subjected by the patient wearing the artificial foot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resilient foot insert for an artificial foot, having at least one leaf spring. In order to increase structural strength, the at least one leaf spring comprises a plurality of leaf spring elements which are coupled in parallel, are arranged next to one another and are connected to one another at their two end regions. Between these two end regions, there is a clearance distance or gap between an adjacent pair of the leaf spring elements. An adjustable pressure buffer in the gap adjusts the deformation characteristics of the at least one leaf spring.