Abstract: Hinged connecting apparatus (1) for a lower limb prosthesis (2), the hinged connecting apparatus (1) comprising a first device (1000) intended to oppose a predetermined resistance during flexion of the prosthesis (2), this resistance being switched by said first device (1000) between two values which are a predetermined minimal value and a predetermined maximal value.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint mechanism has an hydraulic load-activated knee-stabilizing device for resisting joint flexion. A rotary piston (34) connected to one part of the mechanism is rotatable within a fluid-filled fluid displacement chamber (18) associated with another part of the mechanism to drive fluid through a fluid passage which contains a main valve (38) which restricts or allows joint flexion according to the position of a valve member within the valve. The valve member is movable towards an open position in response to fluid pressure in the fluid passage upstream of the valve member caused by application of a flexion torque to the knee joint mechanism, movement of the valve member in the direction of the open position being at least resisted by a valve control arrangement actuated by application of the wearer's weight. The weight-responsive valve control arrangement is preferably a weight-responsive pilot valve (32) for hydraulically resisting movement of the valve member of the main valve.

Abstract: An artificial knee joint includes a joint support having upper and lower ends jointed to outside links and an upper link respectively; a brake block having upper and lower jointing holes respectively jointing a lower end of the upper link and a connector, and having an upper portion forming a positioning slot; a hydraulic cylinder arranged inside the brake block and having an upper end coupled to the joint support; a connector having a lower portion connected to a shank and an upper end portion through which a positioning axle extends; and outside links having an upper end jointed to an upper jointing hole of the joint support and a lower end jointed to a jointing hole of the connector. A cylinder barrel, a piston, a resilient element, and an adjusting bolt are arranged inside the connector and the piston is et against a lower end of the brake block.

Abstract: In a stabilising knee joint for a lower limb prosthesis, weight-activated knee stabilisation is achieved by interen-gagement of a brake disc (32) associated with an upper knee chassis (10) and a brake member (34) associated with a shin carrier (18). The knee chassis is mounted on a posterior end portion (14P) of a resiliency biased activation arm (14) which pivots on the carrier (18). To provide a mechanical advantage in the brake action, a circumferential portion of the brake disc (32) is tapered, and the brake member (34) has a correspondingly tapered channel which receives the circumferential disc portion. The arrangement of the brake members (32, 34) and their mounting on the shin carrier (18) is such that substantial release of frictional engagement of the brake members can be substantially achieved even when a knee flexion moment is applied to the joint.

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: The actuated leg prosthesis comprises a knee member, a socket connector provided over the knee member, an elongated trans-tibial member having a bottom end under which is connected an artificial foot, and a linear actuator. A first pivot assembly allows to operatively connect the trans-tibial member to the knee member. A second pivot assembly allows to operatively connect an upper end of the actuator to the knee member. A third pivot assembly allows to operatively connect a bottom end of the actuator to the bottom end of the trans-tibial member. The prosthesis can be provided as either a front actuator configuration or a rear actuator configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to the control of a passive prosthetic knee joint with adjustable damping in the direction of flexion such that a prosthetic unit attached to the knee joint can be adapted for climbing stairs.

Abstract: In a prosthetic leg installed with a hydraulic cylinder for adjusting bending and extension resistance of a knee joint portion, a buffer device is provided between a lower leg portion and a foot portion below the knee joint portion for displacing movably in opposite directions when the toe and the heel of the foot portion contact the ground, respectively. An extension passage and a bending passage are provided in the hydraulic cylinder, a toe grounding closing valve is provided in the bending passage, and a heel grounding closing valve is provided in the bending passage. The toe grounding closing valve and the heel grounding closing valve are connected in an interlocking manner by a closing valve connecting/operating member such that valve open/close orientations thereof are set in opposite directions.

Abstract: An energy returning prosthetic joint arranged for use as a knee joint in prosthetic limbs includes a biasing or spring member connected to upper and lower attachment members. The spring member includes a composite material having an energy returning property. A cushion may be provided within the range of curvature of the spring member, or be connected to frame members in order to limit motion of the spring member.

Abstract: There is provided a prosthetic limb having a flexible knee brake function, which is designed such that it can be mechanically detected which part of the foot the load of the wearer is imposed on. In a thigh prosthetic limb (10), a joint upper member (12) including a knee plate (120) and a joint lower member (14) including a base bracket (22) integral with the frame (140) are operated to bend the knee. In the housing member (24), there are provided not only a knee axis but also a hydraulic brake circuit. There is a link mechanism (50) which allows a small relative motion between the housing member (24) and the base bracket (22) on the main body part side. The link mechanism (50) has an instantaneous center between the toe and the heel part of the prosthetic limb.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint includes a knee seat having a slant screw hole, a movable member disposed pivotally in a bottom portion of the knee seat and having a lower mounting portion and an upper pushing portion, two shafts disposed respectively within shaft holes in the lower mounting portion, two C-shaped elastic sleeves sleeved respectively on the shafts and abutting against the upper pushing portion, a linkage connected to the shafts, a weight-buffering device having a rubber cushion disposed directly under the slant screw hole, a buffer adjustment device having a buffer cushion that protrudes outwardly of the movable member to abut against a projection of the knee seat and that is removable from the projection, and a restoring device operable so as to move a free end of the upper pushing portion relative to the lower mounting portion.

Abstract: An artificial multi-axis knee joint comprising an upper leg portion and a lower leg portion pivotally connected to each other by a front link for pivoting the front link and the upper leg portion relative to each other around a first geometrical pivot axis, and for pivoting the front link and the lower leg portion relative to each other around a second geometrical pivot axis. A rear link is pivotally connected to the upper leg portion for pivoting the rear link and the upper leg portion relative to each other around a third geometrical pivot axis, and pivotally connected at the other end thereof to the lower leg portion for pivoting the rear link and the lower leg portion relative to each other around a fourth geometrical pivot axis. The knee joint further comprises a further means which is integrated in the front link and the rear link.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an articulating joint that is disengageable between two modes of operation: unidirectional movement of the joint or bi-directional movement of the joint, with features that allow the mode to be automatically switched as required. When fully locked, the joint inhibits joint flexion while allowing joint extension. When actuated, a locking mechanism is disengaged to allow both uninhibited flexion and extension of the joint.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint includes a knee seat having a slant screw hole, a movable member disposed pivotally in a bottom portion of the knee seat and having a lower mounting portion and an upper pushing portion, two shafts disposed respectively within shaft holes in the lower mounting portion, two C-shaped elastic sleeves sleeved respectively on the shafts and abutting against the upper pushing portion, a linkage connected to the shafts, a weight-buffering device having a rubber cushion disposed directly under the slant screw hole, a buffer adjustment device having a buffer cushion that protrudes outwardly of the movable member to abut against a projection of the knee seat and that is removable from the projection, and a restoring device operable so as to move a free end of the upper pushing portion relative to the lower mounting portion.

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: The method is used for controlling an actuating mechanism of a prosthesis provided on one side of the lower body of an individual, the individual having a healthy leg on the other side. Accordingly, the method comprises providing a plurality of artificial proprioceptors, at least one of the artificial proprioceptors being on the side of the healthy leg, and at least one of the artificial proprioceptors being on provided with the prosthesis, generating data signals in real time at the artificial proprioceptors, and generating control signals in real time for controlling the actuating mechanism in response to the data signals.

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 includes a knee seat attached to a residual thigh, a support frame attached to a prosthetic lower leg, and a driving member disposed pivotally in a mounting recess in the knee seat. A cushion device is disposed between the knee seat and the driving member. Two links have lower ends connected pivotally to the support frame. Two pivot pins extend respectively through upper ends of the links, and are journalled respectively within two mounting holes in the driving member by two bearing members, at least one of which is configured as a unidirectional bearing. When a knee angle is equal to a threshold angle, a pin-locking member is disposed in a pin-locking position so as to prevent rotation of the pivot pins within the driving member and, thus, relative rotation between the knee seat and the support frame.

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 rotating pneumatic knee joint structure is disclosed. The structure comprises a twisting connector module and a pneumatic module. The twisting connector module includes a rotating seat, an adjustable upper seat, adjustable screws, two rotating block modules, bearings, side-arch plate and axle, and screws and a plurality are used to lock all the components of the structure. A socket seat mounted at the thigh and a stop block within the rotating seat cause the lower limb connected to the pneumatic module to swing in a circular direction. Though the adjustable screw, and the spring support to hold the rotating block, the sole of the legs can be swing in a left or right direction so as to hold the weight of the user.

Abstract: A prosthesis or orthosis (orthotic brace) includes at least two parts connected to each other by an artificial joint and a control device to brake or lock the joint. The prosthesis or orthosis includes a sensor which detects the position in relation to a fixed line of a part connected to the joint and which is connected to a control device arranged to influence the joint on the basis of position data given by the sensor. The prosthesis or orthosis is a lower limb prosthesis, such as a thigh prosthesis or a hip ex-articulation prosthesis, or a lower limb orthosis. The sensor is arranged to detect the position of the thigh part in relation to a vertical line. The control device is arranged to influence the movement resistance properties of the joint on the basis of data given by the sensor. The sensor is based on detecting the direction of earth's gravity.

Abstract: A device for measuring the relative angular position of two bodies with respect to a point is provided with a first measuring element and a second measuring element, relatively movable with respect to one another and connectable to a first body and a second body, respectively; the first measuring element includes a first inclination sensor, which has a first detection axis and supplies a first inclination signal, correlated to a first angle of inclination of the first detection axis with respect to a reference axis, and the second measuring element includes a second inclination sensor, which has a second detection axis and supplies a second inclination signal, correlated to a second angle of inclination of the second detection axis with respect to the reference axis.

Abstract: A device of the kind that comprises a polycentric link mechanism with at least four elements, namely one front and one back base element (10, 11) and one upper and one lower connecting element (12, 13). The upper connecting element (12) forms a unit fixedly attached to a thighbone part (21) of prosthesis and the lower connecting element (13) forms a unit fixedly attached to the shank part (22) of prothesis. The back base element (11) is pivotably connected at its upper end to the upper connecting element (12) and pivotably connected at its lower end to the lower connecting element (13) via a jointed attachment element (23), the movement of which is limited by a resilient stop device (29), whereby also the forward movement of the back base element (11) is limited when the knee joint is in a substantially straight position.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint mechanism has an hydraulic load-activated knee-stabilising device for resisting joint flexion. A rotary piston connected to one part of the mechanism is rotatable within a fluid-filled fluid displacement chamber associated with another part of the mechanism to drive fluid through a fluid passage which contains a main valve which restricts or allows joint flexion according to the position of a valve member within the valve. The valve member is movable towards an open position in response to fluid pressure in the fluid passage upstream of the valve member caused by application of a flexion torque to the knee joint mechanism, movement of the valve member in the direction of the open position being at least resisted by a valve control arrangement actuated by application of the wearer's weight. The weight-responsive valve control arrangement is preferably a weight-responsive pilot valve for hydraulically resisting movement of the valve member of the main valve.

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: A tetraxial-link artificial limb joint includes a kneecap, front connection boards, a rear connection rod, a first axis, a second axis, a third axis, a fourth axis, and a shank connection seat. The point for force acting is below these four axes, thereby forming an inverse triangular therebetween. The inverse triangular is maintained to not bend the artificial limb joint until the user's forefoot land down again for each step.

Abstract: A lower platform and an upper platform are connected first and second levers having different lengths, each lever being articulated about a first axis on said lower platform and a second axis on said upper platform. The upper platform can be swiveled from a rest position to a position of maximum excursion relative to the lower platform so that the distance between platforms is immediately reduced upon swiveling from the rest position. At least one axis is provided with a brake which slows down rotational movement.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee cage consists of a base unit formed by spaced from each other first and second side members interconnected by a connecting element, so as to form an operational channel therebetween. A platform is adapted for pivotal cooperation with the base unit. An adjustment device is provided for adjustment of pivotal movement of the platform relative to the base unit.

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: In one aspect, the invention provides methods and apparatus facilitating an adjustable-stiffness prosthesis or orthosis (including approximations to arbitrarily definable non-linear spring functions). Spring rates may be varied under no-load conditions during a walking gate cycle to minimize power consumption. In another aspect, the invention provides methods and apparatus for outputting positive power from a prosthesis or orthosis, facilitating high-performance artificial limbs. In one embodiment of the invention, the positive power is transferred from a functioning muscle to the prosthesis or orthosis, which mimics or assists a non-functioning or impaired muscle. In another embodiment of the invention, the positive power comes from an on-board power source in the prosthesis or orthosis.

Abstract: An artificial knee joint assembly includes a knee seat connected fixedly to a residual thigh, a support frame connected to the knee seat by means of a linkage unit, a prosthetic lower leg connected pivotally to a lower end of the support frame, a hydraulic cylinder unit disposed within the support frame so as to dampen the movement of the support frame relative to the knee seat, and a valve assembly disposed within the support frame. When the lower leg stands on a horizontal or inclined surface, the valve assembly is actuated by the lower leg to stop the operation of the hydraulic cylinder unit, thereby preventing rotation of the lower leg relative to the thigh.

Abstract: The method and the control system are used for determining a portion of locomotion and a phase of locomotion portion in view of controlling an actuated prosthesis in real time. Accordingly, the method comprises receiving a data signal from a plurality of main artificial proprioceptors, obtaining a first and a second derivative signal for each data signal, obtaining a third derivative signal for at least one of the data signals, using a set of a first state machines to select one state among a plurality of possible states for each artificial proprioceptor with the corresponding data and derivative signals, generating the phase of locomotion portion using the states of the main artificial proprioceptors; and using a second state machine to select the portion of locomotion among a plurality of possible portions of locomotion using events associated to the data signals. It is particularly well adapted for the control of an actuated leg prosthesis for above-knee amputees.

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 device and a method for remote maintenance of an electronically controllable prosthesis (1) are provided. The prosthesis comprises a controller in which operating and/or movement data characterizing the prosthesis are detected and are then transmitted to a remote maintenance device (20) with a storage and evaluation unit (20). Remote maintenance of the prosthesis using the detected data is possible via a remotely located remote control unit (23) that can access the storage and evaluation unit via the telephone network. Corrected operational data are transmitted from the storage and evaluation unit (20) back to the controller of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A tetraxial-link artificial limb joint includes a kneecap, front connection boards, a rear connection rod, a first axis, a second axis, a third axis, a fourth axis, and a shank connection seat. The point for force acting is below these four axes, thereby forming an inverse triangular therebetween. The inverse triangular is maintained to not bend the artificial limb joint until the user's forefoot land down again for each step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knee-joint prosthesis with a hydraulic damping cylinder (1) for regulating the swing phase control and stance phase stabilization, and with an electronic control for a force field acting on the hydraulic fluid of the damping cylinder (1), the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid being able to be changed by the force field. The object of the present invention is to make available a knee-joint prosthesis whose electronic control has a high degree of safety and a minimal power consumption. According to the invention, the object is achieved by the fact that an actuating member (6, 7, 9, 12) is provided which generates a permanent force field and acts on the hydraulic fluid with an existing force field which is weakened or strengthened by the electronically controlled force field.

Abstract: A hydraulic swing phase control unit for an artificial lower limb including a thigh part and a shin part connected at a knee joint, includes a hydraulic cylinder connected to one of the thigh part and the shin part, a piston movable in the hydraulic cylinder and connected to the other of the thigh part and the shin part, a fluid passage positioned to pass hydraulic fluid pressurized by movement of the piston in the hydraulic cylinder; and a variable sharp edged orifice at the fluid passage. The variable orifice is formed from a sharp edged orifice and a manually rotatable sleeve positioned to at least partly overlap the orifice. At least one low restriction fluid passage in the cylinder is fluidically connected in parallel with the variable sharp edged orifice to permit minimal resistance to movement of the piston during a portion of the movement thereof.

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 prosthesis or orthosis (orthotic brace) comprises at least two parts (1, 2) connected to each other by means of an artificial joint (K), and a control device for the joint, to brake or lock the joint. The prosthesis or orthosis comprises a sensor (5) which detects the position in relation to a fixed line (L) of a part connected to the joint (K) and which is connected to a control device (4) arranged to influence the joint (K) on the basis of position data given by the sensor (5). The prosthesis or orthosis is a lower limb prosthesis, such as a thigh prosthesis or a hip ex-articulation prosthesis, or a lower limb orthosis. The sensor (5) is arranged to detect the position of the thigh part (1) in relation to a vertical line (L). The control device (4) is arranged to influence the movement resistance properties of the joint (K) on the basis of data given by the sensor (5). The sensor (5) is based on detecting the direction of earth's gravity.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis comprising two pivotally interconnected members (10, 11) carrying a locking device (17) and a first end a second axle (20, 21). The first axle (20) forms a bearing axle for the locking device and the second axle (21) cooperates with the locking device for activation thereof. The second axle (21) is located at a distance behind the first axle (20) and is arranged to act upon the locking device in such a way that when the line of action (26) from a load on the knee prosthesis passes through the second axle (21) or between the first (20) and the second axle, said second axle will act upon the locking device to activate it, while when said line of action (26) passes through the first axle or in front of it the second axle (21) will be unloaded and the locking device (17) inactivated.

Abstract: There is provided an air-cylinder apparatus for use in a prosthetic limb capable of effectively adjusting the pressure characteristics over a wide range of walking speed. A second chamber 82 defined by a piston 113 is increased in pressure by air confined therein in accordance with the bending motion of the knee. Air is restricted from flowing out of the second chamber 82 by a constant throttle valve 140. In addition, the second chamber 82 is divided into plural chambers 821, 822 in accordance with increase in bending angle of the knee and air is restricted from flowing out of the newly divided chambers 821, 822 by throttle valves corresponding thereto. The division of the second chamber 82 is achieved by mutual engagement between a projection 1140b on the piston side and a recess 1127 on the bottom part of a cylinder body.

Abstract: A knee joint structure has a five-joint link structure in which there are an upper link 1 to which a thigh support part of an artificial limb 10 is fixed; a lower link 4 with which a foot part 11 of the artificial limb is linked; a rear link 5 for linking the upper and lower links 1 and 4 with each other; a main frontal link 2 linked with the frontal of the upper link 1; and an auxiliary frontal link 3 for linking the main frontal link 2 and the lower link 4 with each other. In addition, there is provided an elastic element 8 acting to increase an angle formed by the auxiliary frontal link 3 and the lower link 4.

Abstract: A clutch including an output hub on an output frame, an input shaft on an input frame, wherein the input shaft rotates within a bore in the output hub. An input hub is attached on an end of the input shaft, and a spring engages the input hub and the output hub. A locking spring clamp attaches the spring to the input hub. The input frame and the output frame are adjacent to one another on a side of the clutch opposite the input hub. An electronic control system for the clutch is also described that makes possible the use of the apparatus for electromechanical joint control in an orthotic or prosthetic device.

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 leg prosthesis having an artificial knee joint with swing phase control and recoil break comprises a damping member acting upon the knee joint, detectors for detecting force, knee angle and acceleration and a control unit for controlling the dampening degree of the damping member on the basis of the detected values. The damping characteristics of the damping member are varied in dependence on control signals produced by the control unit on the basis of a viscosity change of the magneto-rheological liquid.

Abstract: A movable prosthetic limb includes a drive linkage which is configured to move the prosthetic limb. An ultrasonic drive motor is coupled to the drive linkage and powers the drive linkage. The ultrasonic motor is non-backdrivable and has high torque at low speeds. Specifically, a prosthetic limb uses an ultrasonic motor to drive an elbow joint or prosthetic fingers. A movable prosthetic wrist includes a base configured to be coupled to an amputee. An ultrasonic drive motor is attached to the base, and a hand piece is attached to the ultrasonic drive motor to form a wrist joint. In this configuration, the ultrasonic drive motor directly moves the wrist joint. A harmonic drive can also be used for gear reduction in the wrist joint.

Abstract: A prosthetic suspension unit for cushioning shocks in amputees is provided. The prosthetic suspension unit has a first member adapted to be secured to a first prosthetic member and a stop located in the first member. An attachment member is adapted to be secured to a second prosthetic member. A bearing member is operative between the attachment member and the first member such that the attachment member may slide freely in an axial direction relative to the first member. An elastomeric energy storage element is positioned within the first member and includes a first portion abutting the stop. A second portion abuts a face axially moveable with the attachment member to compress the storage member upon application of load by the user.

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 knee joint structure has a five-joint link structure in which there are an upper link 1 to which a thigh support part of an artificial limb 10 is fixed; a lower link 4 with which a foot part 11 of the artificial limb is linked; a rear link 5 for linking the upper and lower links 1 and 4 with each other; a main frontal link 2 linked with the frontal of the upper link 1; and an auxiliary frontal link 3 for linking the main frontal link 2 and the lower link 4 with each other. In addition, there is provided an elastic element 8 acting to increase an angle formed by the auxiliary frontal link 3 and the lower link 4.

Abstract: A computer controlled hydraulic resistance device for apparatus such as a prosthetic knee for above knee amputees, includes a two stage pilot operated solenoid valve connected to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from a hydraulic actuator which applies resistance to the prosthetic knee or other apparatus through a coupling. Hydraulic pressure is sensed on the high and low side of the actuator by a spring biased magnet and a magnetically actuated electronic sensor and is used by a micro-controller in a closed-loop manner to compensate automatically for variations in the device and in the hydraulic fluid viscosity. The device also has magnetically actuated electronic sensors which sense positions of the apparatus and feed back to the micro-controller for applying a predetermined resistance profile to the apparatus.