Patents by Inventor Matthew M. Wernke

Matthew M. Wernke 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).

  • Publication number: 20240099860
    Abstract: An ankle system for use with a prosthetic foot structure includes an outer housing with at least one through hole, the outer housing configured to receive an inner housing; the inner housing comprising an adaptor, at least one pin slot, and a base. In one embodiment, the system further comprises at least one linkage pin, the linkage pin configured to tit through the at least one pin slot; wherein the inner housing is configured to move within the outer housing from a first position to a second position along an arcuate path. The system also includes a spring body having a length, the length comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed within the outer housing and the second end is configured to be attached to the prosthetic foot structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: WILLOWWOOD GLOBAL LLC
    Inventors: Evandro M. FICANHA, Matthew M. WERNKE, Alexander W. ALBURY
  • Patent number: 11911298
    Abstract: A device is provided to allow adaptation of a prosthetic or robotic foot in the medial-lateral direction, including pronation and supination of the foot using a series of articulations. Articulations are permitted in the disclosed device due to linkage systems positioned at various locations of the prosthetic foot. In particular, the device includes multiple connected linkage systems each including upper and lower portions with an articulating contact surface designed for load carriage and stability. The point of contact between the contact surfaces of each linkage system comprises the position-dependent instantaneous center of rotation of the upper portion with respect to the lower portion. The device also includes a platform coupled between the linkage systems and a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: University of Washington, The Ohio Willow Wood Company
    Inventors: Murray E. Maitland, Matthew M. Wernke, Evandro M. Ficanha, James M. Colvin
  • Publication number: 20220362040
    Abstract: In embodiments, a shock absorber system for a prosthesis includes an outer housing having a bore and attachable to a prosthetic limb; an inner housing, attachable to a prosthetic socket, within the bore for axial and rotational movement relative to the outer housing; a first resilient element within the outer housing that resists axial movement of the inner housing into the bore and urges the inner housing back to an uncompressed configuration; and alternatively or in addition a second resilient element within the outer housing that resists rotational movement of the inner housing relative to the outer housing, wherein a torsional force urging relative rotation between the inner housing and the outer housing causes compression of the second resilient element such that the second resilient element resists the torsional force and urges the inner housing and outer housing back to an aligned configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Evandro Maicon FICANHA, Matthew M. WERNKE, Anne Marie TOLLETT
  • Publication number: 20220039971
    Abstract: A prosthetic foot that includes a foot plate having a toe portion and a heel portion, a shank plate bonded to the foot plate along a seam that extends from the toe portion rearward toward the heel portion to terminate at an end, the shank plate separated from the foot plate forming a gap between the foot plate and shank plate extending rearward from the end of the seam; and an attachment structure attaching the foot plate to the shank plate, wherein the attachment structure includes fibers extending continuously through the shank plate, the gap, and the foot plate. In embodiments, the foot plate and shank plate are made of composite material and the attachment structure alternately extends through the seam and through a flexible material between the shank plate and the foot plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: James M. Colvin, Matthew M. Wernke, Evandro M. Ficanha
  • Patent number: 11173053
    Abstract: A prosthetic foot structure includes a plate assembly having a toe portion and a heel portion. The plate assembly includes a first plate adjoining a second plate along a seam at which the first plate is bonded to the second plate. The seam has an end between the first and second plates, and the first plate is spaced from the second plate across a gap that reaches away from the end of the seam. An attachment structure attaches the first plate to second plate. The attachment structure has a composite composition including a resin material containing reinforcing fibers. The reinforcing fibers reach through the first plate, across the gap, and through the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: WILLOWWOOD GLOBAL LLC
    Inventors: James M. Colvin, Matthew M. Wernke, Stephen A. Byers, Evandro M. Ficanha
  • Publication number: 20210275327
    Abstract: A prosthetic foot structure includes a plate assembly having a toe portion and a heel portion. The plate assembly includes a first plate adjoining a second plate along a seam at which the first plate is bonded to the second plate. The seam has an end between the first and second plates, and the first plate is spaced from the second plate across a gap that reaches away from the end of the seam. An attachment structure attaches the first plate to second plate. The attachment structure has a composite composition including a resin material containing reinforcing fibers. The reinforcing fibers reach through the first plate, across the gap, and through the second plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: WillowWood Global LLC
    Inventors: James M. Colvin, Matthew M. Wernke, Stephen A. Byers, Evandro M. Ficanha
  • Patent number: 11076970
    Abstract: A device is provided to allow adaptation of a prosthetic or robotic foot in the medial-lateral direction, including pronation and supination of the foot using a series of articulations. Articulations are permitted in the disclosed device due to linkage systems positioned at various locations of the prosthetic foot. In particular, the device includes multiple connected linkage systems each including upper and lower portions with an articulating contact surface designed for load carriage and stability. The point of contact between the contact surfaces of each linkage system comprises the position-dependent instantaneous center of rotation of the upper portion with respect to the lower portion. The device also includes a platform coupled between the linkage systems and a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignees: University of Washington, The Ohio Willow Wood Company ]
    Inventors: Murray E. Maitland, Matthew M. Wernke, Evandro M. Ficanha, James M. Colvin
  • Publication number: 20180207006
    Abstract: A device is provided to allow adaptation of a prosthetic or robotic foot in the medial-lateral direction, including pronation and supination of the foot using a series of articulations. Articulations are permitted in the disclosed device due to linkage systems positioned at various locations of the prosthetic foot. In particular, the device includes multiple connected linkage systems each including upper and lower portions with an articulating contact surface designed for load carriage and stability. The point of contact between the contact surfaces of each linkage system comprises the position-dependent instantaneous center of rotation of the upper portion with respect to the lower portion. The device also includes a platform coupled between the linkage systems and a base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Murray E. Maitland, Matthew M. Wernke, Evandro M. Ficanha, James M. Colvin