Patents by Inventor Walter D. Harris

Walter D. Harris 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).

  • Prosthetic pylon having an enclosed compressible volume of fluid to support a patient's weight
    Publication number: 20030018392
    Abstract: A pylon includes a first end portion connected to a patient's leg stump and a second end portion connected to a prosthetic foot. The second end portion includes a piston, and the first end portion includes a piston chamber receiving the piston. The second end portion is thus rotatable and axially movable relative to the first end portion about and along a longitudinal axis of the pylon, respectively. The piston chamber encloses a compressible volume of fluid through which substantially all of the patient's weight applied through the patient's leg stump is supported. The compressible volume of fluid is sealed so that it can be pressurized. Also, a torsional spring couples the piston and piston chamber and resists relative rotation between the piston and piston chamber without supporting any substantial portion of the patient's weight applied through the patient's leg stump to the piston. The present invention thus advantageously provides a pylon which is more cushioned and resilient than conventional pylons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: Seattle Orthopedic Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Wood, James G. Cairns, Walter D. Harris
  • Prosthetic pylon having an enclosed compressible volume of fluid to support a patient's weight
    Patent number: 6402788
    Abstract: A pylon includes a first end portion connected to a patient's leg stump and a second end portion connected to a prosthetic foot. The second end portion includes a piston, and the first end portion includes a piston chamber receiving the piston. The second end portion is thus rotatable and axially movable relative to the first end portion about and along a longitudinal axis of the pylon, respectively. The piston chamber encloses a compressible volume of fluid through which substantially all of the patient's weight applied through the patient's leg stump is supported. The compressible volume of fluid is sealed so that it can be pressurized. Also, a torsional spring couples the piston and piston chamber and resists relative rotation between the piston and piston chamber without supporting any substantial portion of the patient's weight applied through the patient's leg stump to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: United States Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Wood, James G. Cairns, Jr., Walter D. Harris
  • Prosthetic pylon having a compressible medium to support a patient's weight
    Patent number: 6086615
    Abstract: A pylon includes a first end portion connected to a patient's leg stump and a second end portion connected to a prosthetic foot. The second end portion includes a piston, and the first end portion includes a piston chamber receiving the piston. The second end portion is thus rotatable and axially movable relative to the first end portion about and along a longitudinal axis of the pylon, respectively. The piston chamber encloses a compressible volume of fluid through which substantially all of the patient's weight applied through the patient's leg stump is supported. The compressible volume of fluid is sealed so that it can be pressurized. Also, a torsional spring couples the piston and piston chamber and resists relative rotation between the piston and piston chamber without supporting any substantial portion of the patient's weight applied through the patient's leg stump to the piston. The present invention thus advantageously provides a pylon which is more cushioned and resilient than conventional pylons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Seattle Orthopedic Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Wood, James G. Cairns, Jr., Walter D. Harris
  • Prosthetic pylon having an enclosed compressible volume of fluid to support a patient's weight
    Patent number: 5702488
    Abstract: A pylon includes a first end portion connected to a patient's leg stump and a second end portion connected to a prosthetic foot. The second end portion includes a piston, and the first end portion includes a piston chamber receiving the piston. The second end portion is thus rotatable and axially movable relative to the first end portion about and along a longitudinal axis of the pylon, respectively. The piston chamber encloses a compressible volume of fluid through which substantially all of the patient's weight applied through the patient's leg stump is supported. The compressible volume of fluid is sealed so that it can be pressurized. Also, a torsional spring couples the piston and piston chamber and resists relative rotation between the piston and piston chamber without supporting any substantial portion of the patient's weight applied through the patient's leg stump to the piston. The present invention thus advantageously provides a pylon which is more cushioned and resilient than conventional pylons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Model & Instrument Development Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Wood, James G. Cairns, Jr., Walter D. Harris