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.

Abstract: An ankle prosthesis can have a base and an upper hinge component that is pivotably attached to the base about an axis. First and second biasing elements can bias the upper hinge component in first and second rotational directions, respectively. At least one selectively extendable and retractable locking element can extend from one of the base and the upper hinge component and engage the other of the base and the upper hinge component to limit the pivotable movement of the upper hinge component.

Abstract: A transfemoral rotator is provided. The transfemoral rotator includes an inner cylinder that nests within a cavity of a base shell. The inner cylinder includes a lower cylindrical hub configured to protrude through an opening in the base shell. A spring clip mechanism operated by a push button serves to lock and unlock the transfemoral rotator to permit for rotation of a lower limb prosthesis and allow for a wearer to sit cross-legged.

Abstract: Compositions are provided for a prosthetic ankle comprising: a joint housing having a bottom surface, a clevis coupled to the joint housing such that the clevis can rotate about the joint housing, a prosthetic coupling structure that couples the clevis to an amputee, and an articulating joint contained in the joint housing. Additionally, a portion of the bottom surface of the joint housing can be curved allowing a substrate a preset amount of flexion when coupled thereto and flexed in a concave position.

Abstract: A prosthetic limb has an outer surface that is a mirror image of an intact limb or a generic limb design. The intact limb is scanned and the surface data is manipulated to create a virtual mirror image. If generic data is used, the intact leg can be measured and the generic surface can be adjusted so the prosthetic limb appears similar to the intact limb. The end of the amputated limb is also measured to obtain socket data. A knee and foot are incorporated to form a virtual prosthetic limb represented by design data. The design data for the virtual prosthetic limb is forwarded to a rapid prototyping machine that fabricates the entire leg simultaneously. Once completed, the prosthetic limb is shipped to the patient.

Abstract: An orthopedic device that includes an ankle arthrodesis nail having a bend, and a surgical implant kit for use in ankle arthrodesis in patients who suffer from severe bone defects in their ankles is provided. The invention further relates to a method of establishing ankle arthrodesis in a subject using an arthrodesis nail having a bend.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling an exoskeleton actuator at a joint of a human-exoskeleton system by receiving system parameters for the human-exoskeleton system, receiving generalized coordinates for the human-exoskeleton system, and determining an equivalent joint torque for the exoskeleton actuator to compensate for a selected force. While providing partial or complete compensation of selected gravitational and external forces, one embodiment of the present invention mitigates the amount of interference between voluntary control and assist control, thereby allowing humans to quickly humans adapt to an exoskeleton system.

Abstract: A system for assisting the motion of a body connected through joints provides a system for imparting a suitable torque to the connected body at the time of various turns including the bending of the joints. The torque imparting system has first and second measuring means, a reference work volume determining means, and an external torque determining means. The first measuring means measures the internal work volume of the around-joint leg. The second measuring means measures an external work volume around a joint imparted to the leg. The reference work volume determining means determines a reference work volume based on the internal work volume. The external torque determining means determines an external torque imparted to the leg so as to reduce the difference between the internal work volume of the leg and the reference work volume, based on the external work volume.

Abstract: There is provided a joint device for an artificial leg, which makes it possible to dramatically achieve reduction of the weight of a power source and an increase in duration of the same, as well as facilitates knee bending/stretching motion, toe-up motion, and kicking motion. The joint device has an above-knee member and an under-knee member spaced from each other. Three expansible links are connected between the above-knee member and the under-knee member, for accumulating energy generated by the weight of a user's body acting on the artificial leg, and operating by releasing the accumulated energy to actuate the under-knee member into joint motion.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing movement of a device associated with a limb. In one example, a prosthetic or orthotic system includes a sensor assembly configured to measure movement of a component of the system in a single direction while substantially isolating negative effects of forces and/or loads in other directions. For instance, the sensor assembly may be advantageously coupled to a pivot assembly configured to substantially mimic a natural ankle joint. The sensor assembly may monitor rotation of a foot unit about an axis of a pivot pin of the pivot assembly and disregard other movements and/or forces. For example, the sensor assembly may include a potentiometer that detects rotation of an associated elongated bellow portion about the axis, wherein the bellow portion includes a plurality of ridges configured to substantially eliminate effects of radial and/or axial forces.

Abstract: An implant for use in ankle arthroplasty is provided. The implant includes a first member for cooperation with the tibia and a second member for cooperation with the talus. The second member is operably associated with the first member. The implant also includes a third member rigidly removably connectable to the second member. The third member includes a portion of the third member for attachment to the calcaneus. The third member is adapted to provide for a first position in the calcaneus when the third member is in a first relative position with respect to the second member and is adapted to provide for a second position in the calcaneus when the third member is in a second relative position with respect to the second member.

Abstract: A multi-axial prosthetic ankle joint of the type having a modified Curtis Universal Joint part number CJ 647 (4); with a Century Spring (3) 1.625 inches modified to 2.562 inches in length, and a wire diameter of 0.243 inches superimposed; over which assembly a steel reinforced hose (8) 1.5 inches in diameter is placed.

Abstract: A universal implant fill connector for coupling a fill tubing to an implant is disclosed. A barb, or other leakproof fill tubing connection, couples to the fill tubing, and a fill tip couples to the implant. The barb and the fill tip each have a passage therethrough, and each of these passages have an axis. A joint connects the barb to the fill tip so that said barb may rotate from a position where the barb axis is approximately parallel to the fill tip axis to a position where the barb axis is approximately perpendicular to the fill tip axis. Another form of the disclosed connector includes a joint that connects the barb to the fill tip so that the barb may rotate approximately 360 degrees about the fill tip axis.

Abstract: A prosthetic ankle joint includes a first joint structure having a foot attachment plate connecting a pair of spaced apart parallel fins lying in a sagital plane. A second joint structure having a pylon attachment plate is connected to a support block positioned between the fins of the first joint structure. The first and second joint structures are connected to each other by a spherical bearing that allows the joint structures to pivot with respect to each other about three orthogonal axes. The spherical bearing is connected to the first joint structure through an axle that extends through an aperture in the bearing. A rod extending from the bearing is threaded into a bore formed in the support block of the second joint structure. Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion cushions are positioned between the support block and respective surfaces of the first joint structure to resist pivotal dorsiflexal and plantar flexal pivotal movement of the ankle joint.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the angle between a pylon and prosthetic foot in either or both of the medial/lateral plane or the anterior/posterior plane by placing at least one wedge between the pylon and the prosthetic foot. A barrel nut mounted in the lower end of a prosthetic pylon mates with a bolt extending from the prosthetic foot to secure the foot to the pylon. The angle of the barrel nut is adjusted in the anterior/posterior plane so that a threaded bore of the barrel nut is aligned with the bolt as its angle varies according to the angle of the wedge positioned between the pylon and prosthetic foot. For the same reason, the position of the barrel nut in the medial/lateral plane may be adjusted.

Abstract: In a lower limb prosthesis an energy storing foot is combined with a resilient ankle joint which is arranged to allow planatar flexion but substantially to prevent dorsiflexion. The ankle joint comprises a ball and socket joint, the socket of which is extended downwardly on the anterior, medial and lateral sides to for a skirt positioned so as to compress a resilient ring encircling a ball member of the ball and socket joint. Metal plates are embedded in the anterior part of the ring to prevent significant dorsiflexion. The foot has a keel having a lower spring portion connected at its posterior end as a cantilever to an upper ankle mounting portion. These two portions may be formed as a single carbon fibre reinforced plastics moulding or individually as part of a two-piece keel with the ankle mounting portion rigid and the spring portion as simple fibre-reinforced strip.

Abstract: An artificial ankle joint (FIG. 1) is of the kind which connects a shin member to a foot, by means of a ball and socket joint. The socket has adjacent main and subsidiary socket portions. The main socket portion has a first part, which engages the elastic covering of the ball, and a second part which extends down from the first part and receives within it the subsidiary socket portion. A circlip locks the parts together. The main socket portion includes an integral skirt which engages an annular elastic buffer which is mounted around the ball shank.