Abstract: A selector valve capable of maintaining a closed position for a while even if an operating force to a valve element (80) is eliminated when the selector valve (10) is switched from a closed position (braking state) to an open position. The valve element (80) of the selector valve (10) receives an operating force from the outside and a returning force in the opposite direction of the operating force by a valve spring (90). Accordingly, the valve element (80) opens and closes the valve by making the first end (801) of the valve element (80) seat on/unseat from a valve seat (48) on the housing (20) side according to the presence or absence of the operating force. A first port (31) and a second port (32) on both sides of the valve seat (48) are connected or cut off from each other by the opening and closing. The valve element (80) is formed in a stepped structure, and receives a force based on a difference in pressure receiving area by the stepped structure which results from the pressure of hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism alters the heel height on a prosthetic foot, and works independently of any articulating ankle joint or foot style, without changing the original dynamic alignment of a prosthetic leg. In a two chamber hydraulic closed system—a fluid material is allowed to flow through the two chambers by use of pistons that push the fluid material equally from one chamber to another until the desired heel height is obtained. Once the correct position is obtained, the ports are closed by use of a push button stop, which closes the ports and stops all transfer of fluid between the ports holding the heel in position during use.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated speed-adaptive and patient-adaptive control scheme and system for a knee prosthesis. The control scheme and system utilizes sensory information measured local to the prosthesis to automatically adjust stance and swing phase knee resistances to a particular wearer under a wide variety of locomotory activities. Advantageously, no patient-specific information needs to be pre-programmed into the prosthetic knee by a prosthetist or the patient. The system is able to adapt to various types of disturbances once the patient leaves the prosthetist's facility because it is patient-adaptive and speed-adaptive.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint including stance-phase control means comprising lock or latch for holding the knee in a straight condition, and means determining the status of the latch, said status determining means defining a control axis located so that the lock or latch is activated when a load imposed on the joint passes through a line posterior to said axis, and is de-activated when the load passes through a line anterior to said axis.

Abstract: An artificial knee joint connects a prosthetic lower leg to a residual thigh of a prosthesis wearer, and includes a knee-extending oil passage and a knee-flexing oil passage that is provided with a throttle valve. When the lower leg is pressed against the ground by the thigh, a controlling element activates the throttle valve to close the knee flexing oil passage so as to fix the thigh relative to the lower leg. Upon fast walking of the wearer, an air valve unit activates the throttle valve to reduce flow rate of oil flowing through the knee-flexing oil passage so that the lower leg can support the thigh effectively.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee device having a hydraulic cylinder with a piston and a gas cylinder. A connecting element extends outwardly from the piston and passing through a gas cylinder. A bottom portion of the gas cylinder is adapted for slidable engagement with the hydraulic cylinder. A plunger is fixedly connected to the hydraulic cylinder. An outer periphery of a plunger is adapted for slidable engagement with the interior surface of the gas cylinder, so as to form an operational chamber within the gas cylinder between the bottom portion thereof and the plunger. The operational chamber is responsive to the movement of the prosthetic knee device.

Abstract: The use of an orthopedic aid with two parts (15, 16) which are movable relative to one another and with a locking device for locking the two parts (15, 16) in a predetermined relative position and for unlocking the parts (15, 16) in order to permit movement of the parts (15, 16) with respect to one another is made much safer by virtue of the fact that at least one signaling arrangement (36, 40, 41, 42) is provided which emits a particular signal for the locking state or upon unlocking of the locking device. The risk of accidents due to the parts (15, 16) being incorrectly locked is at least substantially reduced.

Abstract: A compact and efficient stop for establishing the position of maximum extension in a mechanical joint, which comprises a free-floating piston, a piston-retaining pin, and a resilient bumper positioned to engage one end of the piston. The piston, retaining pin, and bumper are located on one side of the joint. A cross stop bushing on the opposing side of the mechanical joint is positioned to engage the exposed end of the piston when the joint is in its position of maximum extension. Applications may include, but are not limited to, use in orthotic and prosthetic devices wherein a larger tolerance in the range of motion is provided for a locking mechanism to engage as the joint reaches maximum extension, while any unwanted feeling of free movement in the joint at full extension is concurrently dampened. A secondary advantage is a softer extension stop for a user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for pivotably connecting parts of an orthopaedic device, such as in particular a prosthetic knee for leg amputees, which device comprises a kinematic multibar mechanism with at least four bars, which bar mechanism allows a movement in the walking direction (L), in which device—a first bar can be connected to a first part of the orthopaedic device, such as a thigh socket,—a second bar can be rigidly connected to a second part of the orthopaedic device, such as a lower-leg part,—a third bar, which is arranged at the front as seen in the walking direction (L), is pivobably connected to the first bar and is pivotably connected to the second bar,—a fourth bar, which is arranged behind the third bar as seen in the walking direction, is pivotably connected to the first bar and is pivotably connected to the second bar, in such a manner that the connection between the second bar and the fourth bar can be displaced along an imposed path, and—a centre part

Abstract: The invention is directed to a prosthesis which includes first and second members pivotally coupled together and two links which are pivotally coupled together with one link being pivotally coupled to the first member and the other link being pivotally coupled the second member. A control mechanism is provided which is pivotally coupled to the first member and the pivotal connection of the two links to move the two links and hence the second member relative to the first member. The first member may be coupled to a person to allow the prosthesis to serve in one embodiment as an arm or as a portion of an arm and in another embodiment to serve as a leg or as a portion of a leg.

Abstract: A lower limb prosthesis for an above-knee amputee has an adaptive control system which includes a knee flexion control device arranged to resist flexion at the knee joint both hydraulically and pneumatically by means of a dual piston and cylinder assembly. Sensors arranged to sense knee bending moments and knee flexion angle provide electrical signals which are fed to a processing circuit for automatically adjusting the hydraulic and pneumatic resistance to flexion according to the activity mode of the amputee and, when walking, according to the speed of the cylinder containing hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic resistance to flexion predominates during the stance phase and pneumatic resistance predominates during the swing phase. Provision is made for programmable resistance during level walking, walking on an incline, descending stairs and during a stumble.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hip joint which has an attachment for an artificial leg and which, in order to permit a largely natural walking movement, has the following features: a front link (5) and a rear link (6) are articulated at their respective upper sections, via a first joint connection (1) and a second joint connection (2), respectively, to a front section and a rear section, respectively, of an upper transverse link (7), and are articulated at their respective lower sections, via a third joint connection (3) and a fourth joint connection (4), respectively, to a front section and a rear section, respectively, of a lower transverse link (8); the first and third joint connections (1, 3) together have at least five degrees of freedom; the second joint connection (2) is a hinge pin which with its pivot axis (2a) is approximately perpendicular to the sagittal plane and has one degree of freedom; the fourth joint connection (4) has a pivot axis (4a) with mediolateral and anteroposterior inclination and with

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable-torque magnetorheologically actuated prosthetic knee which utilizes a plurality of interspersed and alternating rotors and stators to shear magnetorheological fluid in gaps formed therebetween. Advantageously, by operating in the “shear mode” there is substantially no or negligible fluid pressure buildup or change. Moreover, the multiple MR fluid gaps or flux interfaces desirably allow for the production of a large torque at low speed—eliminating the need for a transmission—and also for a wide dynamic torque range. One embodiment of the invention allows the rotors and/or stators to close the gaps therebetween to create a frictional torque component, thereby forming a “hybrid” braking system which provides a total torque or damping which is a combination of viscous torque and frictional torque.

Abstract: An orthesis joint, in particular a knee joint for part of a leg, comprising a joint upper part (1) and a joint lower part (2), pivotably connected to the latter by means of a joint screw (3), as well as comprising a manually releasable wedge block (9, 10, 11, 12), the blocking wedge (9) of which, displaceably guided in the joint upper part (1), engages in its blocking position in an approximately radial direction--in relation to the joint screw (3)--into a blocking groove (10), provided on the joint lower part (2), and can be displaced out of this blocking position against the action of a spring (11) into an unlocking position, characterized in that the joint upper part (1) is divided in two in its plane perpendicular to the joint screw (3), into a basic body (4) and a cover (5) covering the latter at least partially, and in that the blocking wedge (9) is guided in mutually corresponding groove-shaped milled recesses (7, 8) in the mutually facing inner sides of the basic body (4) and cover (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake joint for a prosthesis, in particular, to a brake-action knee joint for a leg prosthesis. There is an upper joint part, a lower joint part, and a joint shaft for pivotally connecting the upper and lower joint parts. The joint shaft is connected to the lower joint part in a rotatably fixed manner and is designed as a brake shaft. The joint shaft is surrounded by a brake arrangement, which bears upon the joint shaft it and is arranged in a cylindrical recess, which, together with the joint shaft, forms an annular chamber in a clamping part forming a central joint part. The upper joint part is mounted to the clamping part in an articulated manner via a pivot pin in such a way that the upper joint part, when loaded, impacts on the clamping part and thus the brake arrangement and thereby exerts a braking action on the joint shaft.

Abstract: A patient-weight-activated hydraulic knee joint in which flow between hydraulic chambers is controlled by a valve operated by hydraulic pressure and by a force transmission system which transmits the force of a patient's weight, such that the valve is only closed when the patient's weight acts on the knee joint. Closure of the valve locks the knee joint, so hence undesirable locking does not occur during the swing phase of the patient's gait. A damped hydraulic trip valve can also be provided to give improved operation of the knee joint.

Abstract: A weight bearing strut assembly is capable of supporting the human frame in the act of walking and further enables a leg to which it is strapped to bend in a normal manner as the leg is brought forward during each step, and to lock when the leg is straightened as necessary to shift weight thereupon. The strut assembly includes a braking mechanism activated as load is placed upon the strut assembly, and an urging mechanism which is activated when the load is removed, and the strut assembly is bent but moving toward the straight leg attitude. Under these conditions, the urging mechanism drives the strut assembly quickly into a co-linear arrangement so as to assure that the strut assembly is ready to take a compressive load.

Abstract: A prosthesis for leg amputation at the knee joint or short distance above the knee is disclosed which includes an upper leg socket and artificial lower limb pivotally coupled together by a knee bracket attached to upper leg socket. The knee bracket is also pivotally coupled to a hydraulic unit carried by the lower limb. The knee bracket provides a hinge arrangement for the knee joint above the end of the amputee's leg stump by several inches thus providing a more natural looking and operating artificial limb.

Abstract: An artificial limb provides for positional relation between a first pin for rotatably connecting one end of an air cylinder device to a lower member and a second pin for rotatably connecting the other end of the air cylinder device to an upper member. The attaching position of the second pin is set to satisfy certain predetermined conditions when an artificial limb is in a completely extended state. The position of an air cylinder device (particularly, the attaching position of the second pin) is changed in conformity with a walking speed which is variable in phase such as normal walking, quick walking, and running with small steps. The artificial limb further comprises a pin position change capable of changing the position of a second pin rotatably connected to an upper member in conformity with variation of walking speed.

Abstract: A knee mechanism for a lower limb prosthesis which maintains knee stability over an initial range of flexion and includes an upper member for connection to or forming part of the thigh component of a prosthesis, a lower member for connection to or forming part of the shin component of a prosthesis, and a slider and a crank connecting the upper member to the lower member. The locus of the instantaneous center of rotation of the mechanism is a curve which commences above the knee and posterior to the load line and which, over an initial range of flexion of the mechanism, moves continuously downwards and to the posterior, the curve being convex towards the posterior. The lower member, the slider and the crank preferably constitute a slider crank mechanism with the crank pivotally connected to the upper and lower members and the slider pivotally connected to the lower member and slidably connected to the upper member.

Abstract: A knee unit for an above-knee prosthetic leg includes a piston arrangement, a valve arrangement and a bladder arrangement for achieving swing and stance control of the prosthetic leg. For swing control the piston arrangement displaces a fluid through the valve arrangement to compress the bladder arrangement for storing the energy required to drive an extension cycle of the prosthetic leg and to provide bias and flexion resistance for the knee unit. For stance control the valve arrangement is such that when weight is applied to the heel of a prosthetic foot at various stages of the gait cycle of the prosthetic leg, the knee unit is permitted to flex or is prevented from flexing via compression of the bladder to provide stability during the various phases of the gait cycle.

Abstract: A prosthetic brake joint includes an upper joint portion, a lower joint portion, and a joint shaft which pivotably connects the two joint portions together. The joint shaft, designed as a brake shaft, is connected to the lower joint portion for fixed rotation with the lower joint portion. A brake bushing surrounds and rotates about the joint shaft and operates as a bearing. The brake bushing is connected to a clamping or support portion for fixed rotation with the clamping or support portion. The upper joint portion is mounted to the clamping or support portion in an articulated manner via a pivot axle. Under loading, the upper joint portion impacts the clamping or support portion and thus the brake bushing, and thereby exerts a braking force on the joint shaft. The brake bushing is surrounded by an annular brake chamber which is filled with an incompressible medium.

Abstract: A swing phase control device for an artificial knee joint which is provided with different first and second throttle controls to permit more natural flexing and stretching of the knee joint.

Abstract: An adjustable hydraulic damper involves a piston member operating within a hydraulic cylinder where the hydraulic cylinder wall is adjustably deformed to vary the annular space between a piston head and the inside cylinder wall through which hydraulic fluid must pass. The wall of the cylinder is adjustably deformed through an annular ramp formed circumferentially about the outside of the cylinder and having an angled bearing surface. A compression nut, having an angled inside circumferential surface, threadingly engages the outside of the cylinder, wherein rotation of the compression nut causes its angled inside surface to bear on the ramp of the cylinder wall, thereby producing a local, uniform, annular deformation of the inside surface of the cylinder wall. The amount of deformation, and thus the flow of fluid through the annular space, is adjustable by rotation of the compression nut.

Abstract: A device has a valve (21) activated by hydraulic fluid in opposition to a resilient restoring element (27) and blocking off an outlet in the bottom of a cylinder ( 3 ) when the fluid, responsive to being compressed by a piston (5), exerts a specified pressure subsequent to an involuntary movement on the part of a femoral amputee wearing the device so as to correct the gait of the amputee.

Abstract: An artificial leg has a femoral member (1); a lower-leg member (2) articulated to the femoral member about a knee joint axis (3') and adapted for connection to a prosthetic foot; and a hydraulic device (4) for controlling the knee joint functions of the artificial leg. The hydraulic device comprises a cylinder member (4a) which is articulated to the lower-leg member, and a piston rod (4b) which is articulated to the femoral member. The hydraulic device (4) is operated by an operating rod (11). The lower-leg member consists of an upper part (2a) which is articulated to the femoral member (1) and supports the hydraulic device (4) whose cylinder member (4a) is articulated to the upper part, and a lower part (2b) which is adapted for connection to the prosthetic foot and to which the operating rod (11) is connected. The upper part (2a) is articulated to the lower part (2b) about a pivot pin (13) located in front of the knee joint axis (3') to which it is parallel, to be pivoted relative to the lower member.

Abstract: An articulated tang in clevis joint for incorporation in newly manufactured conventional strap-on orthotic knee devices or for replacing such joints in conventional strap-on orthotic knee devices. The instant tang in clevis joint allows the user the freedom to extend and bend the knee normally when no load (weight) is applied to the knee and to automatically lock the knee when the user transfers weight (load) to the knee, thus preventing a damaged knee from bending uncontrollably when weight (load) is applied to the knee.The tang in clevis joint of the present invention includes first and second clevis plates, a tang assembly and a spacer plate sandwiched and secured between the clevis plates. Each clevis plate includes a bevelled serrated upper section. A bevelled shoe is secured to the tang in close proximity to the bevelled serrated upper section of the clevis plates.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint includes an anterior linking and support member and a posterior linking and support member, formed of a resilient material, which act as cantilever flat springs to provide an intrinsic extension bias while furnishing the rigid structure necessary to support the axial loads and extension moments induced by the amputee. A prosthetic knee joint includes a base formed of a resilient polyamide such as nylon 6/6, from which an anterior linking and support member, generally of an L-shape, and a posterior linking and support member, monolithically extend upwards. Formed to provide the inherent stability of four-bar linkage, these resilient linking and support members are pivotally attached to a yoke member to act as cantilever single-leaf flat springs which provide an intrinsic extension moment to the prosthetic knee joint which may vary according to the amount of flexion of the knee joint.

Abstract: A teaching playback swing-phase-controlled above-knee prosthesis comprises a thigh frame, a leg frame an air cylinder interconnecting the thigh and leg frames and provided with adjusting means for adjusting the degree of opening the valve of the air cylinder to a plurality of degrees respectively for a plurality of walking speeds selected during trial walking, a gait selecting switch having positions respectively for setting degrees of opening of the valve of the air cylinder in a teaching mode and for playback mode in which one of the degrees of opening is selected according to an actual walking speed, an opening detector for detecting the degree of opening of the valve of the air cylinder, an opening storage device for storing a plurality of set degrees of opening of the valve of the air cylinder, a phase detector for detecting swing phases and stance phases, walking speed detector for detecting an acutal walking speed, and control unit for adjusting the degree of opening of the valve of the air cylinder in

Abstract: A teaching playback swing-phase-controlled above-knee prosthesis has a thigh frame, a leg frame, an air cylinder interconnecting the thigh and leg frames and provided with adjusting means for adjusting the degree of opening the valve of the air cylinder to a plurality of degrees respectively for a plurality of walking speeds selected during trial walking. A mode selecting switch has positions respectively for setting degrees of opening of the valve of the air cylinder in a teaching mode and for a playback mode in which one of the degrees of opening is selected according to an actual walking speed. An opening detector detects the degree of opening of the valve of the air cylinder. An opening storage device for stores a plurality of set degrees of opening of the valve of the air cylinder.

Abstract: Each member of an artificial joint comprises a toothed sector pivoting about a pin. These toothed sectors are in engagement with one another and are mounted between two parallel side plates separated by two spacers. Openings passing through these side plates are angularly distributed about each axis of pivoting and are adapted to selectively receive stops formed by pins which delimit the sectors of freedom of the members about the axes of pivoting. Each of these stops is associated with an apertured tongue which extends perpendicular to the axis of the pin and permits bolting the stop to the center of pivoting of its member.

Abstract: A damped knee joint may be locked myoelectrically at any angle of flexing. A special hydraulic cylinder is pivoted above the knee center at one end and in the shank at the other end. This attachment strategy allows 110 degrees of knee flexion, permitting the normal range of sitting and standing positions. The cylinder assembly incorporates a closed loop, sealed hydraulic system and electro-mechanical valving to control piston position. The closed loop hydraulic system also prevents fluid leakage and contamination. Valving is accomplished by a microelectrically operated barrel or gate valve located in a hydraulic system. The use of a barrel or gate valve allows the microelectrically operated plunger to be physically isolated from the working fluid and to be operated reliably at the highest working pressure of the systems.

Abstract: An improved knee prosthesis of the four bar kind employing modified geometry of its links permitting the available degree of flexion to be increased to 143.degree.. A resilient leaf spring provides for extension bias at low angles of flexion, and biases the joint towards its fully flexed position at high angles of flexion. An improved lock for the joint is also provided.

Abstract: Devices, especially orthotic, prosthetic and manipulative devices, articles of wear, and apparatus utilizing a coil spring are provided for self-adjustable support, flexion, and/or extension of limb members of a body joint. The devices have first and second support arms each having a planar face at one end joinable in co-axial face-to-face relation at a pivot point, in combination with a coplanar co-axial coil spring allowing for flexion and extension. The respective faces in one preferred embodiment have a range-of-motion guide channel and a channel-following stop member and at least one groove pair located on opposite sides of the channel for holding a stop bar across the channel to limit the range of motion of the stop member in the channel.

Abstract: A rotary joint, especially for a prosthesis, e.g. to allow a user to assume the lotus position, as a pair of relatively rotating parts including an outer part and an inner part braced at coaxial bosses by tapered rollers forming a play-eliminating tapered roller bearing. An inclined roller bearing is provided between outer peripheries of disk portions of these parts. A housing enclosing the parts contains a locking device in which a locking element is spring biased to engage the parts with teeth of the locking element engaging in teeth of the two parts. A push-button can be depressed to retract the locking element and permit relative rotation.

Abstract: A compact and lightweight knee joint for a prosthetic leg that can be locked or released with low operating forces comprises upper and lower members interconnected by a pin at a posterior location. A latch pivoted to one of the members for rotation about a vertical axis releasably locks into a recess in the other member to hold the joint in its extended position. The upper member has depending cheeks between which a head of the lower member is received. Adjoining horizontal faces of the upper and lower members are planar and a pad of elastomeric material attached to one of the planar surfaces serves as an extension stop buffer. The latch is blade-like and of bell-crank shape. It fits into slots in the anterior edge of each cheek and is pivoted in one of the slots with an anterior lever thereof spanning between the slots and with a latch head thereof fitting into the other slot. A cable release is fitted to the medial/lateral lever for release of the latch.

Abstract: The modular components of an orthopedic leg brace assembly are secured together around a flexible cable arrangement and the components are removable so that they may be dissambled for repair or for replacement with longer components to accommodate for a user's growth. The components inlcude an ankle-foot orthosis and upwardly extending side braces of stanchion form with an upper securing strap arrangement for securely surrounding a user's lower leg, a second pair of side braces of stanchion form with an upper securing strap arrangement for securely surrounding a user's thigh, and knee joint assemblies joining the ends of the braces to simulate the normal action of a user's knee during flexion and extension of the leg. The flexible cable arrangement allows the user to rigidly hold the entire unit in aligned, fixed relation when the leg is extended.

Abstract: An arrestable knee joint, comprising a thigh member; a lower leg member; rotatably articulated on the thigh member to form a knee joint; and a mechanism for releasably arresting the members in the extended position, comprising a spring-loaded arresting element mounted in the lower leg member, structure associated with the thigh member for engaging the arresting element when the members are in the extend position, a rocker arm assembly having a first arm attached to the arresting element and a second arm extending away from a rotational axis of the rocker arm assembly on a side opposite from the first arm, and a Bowden wire inserted into the lower leg member and attached to the second arm of the rocker arm assembly. A release mechanism is provided in the thigh member.

Abstract: The device for facilitating practice of downhill skiing includes for each lower limb a knee bandage having two suitably curved and profiled plates (13) and (14), one of which (13) wraps up the thigh while the other (14) wraps down the leg, being adapted to cooperate with a part of the user's shoe; the upper plate (13) is continued downward by two opposite and parallel arms (13a) profiled and articulated each on a shaft (4), on either side of the knee, the lower plate (14) being continued upward by two opposite and parallel arms (14b) profiled and articulated around the shaft (4) in combination with upper plate (13), the lower plate being controlled by elastic components to be tensioned, when flexing the knee in combination with appropriate means (7)-(13b), designed to suppress this control beyond a certain flexion angle, said means being fastened to a manual releasing component (11) to fully suppress the elastic control.

Abstract: This invention relates to an artificial leg comprising an elongated lower leg portion, an ankle joint, an upper portion adapted to strap to the wearer's thigh, a knee joint comprising an upper and lower cam, the upper cam adapted to rotate around a pivot and having a convex shape and a lower cam having a concave shape and an elongated arm portion which locks into the upper cam when pressure is placed on the leg and releases by spring action when pressure is released from the leg.