Abstract: The invented artificial limb includes a shin, ankle and foot. The shin includes a first mount, a second mount positioned below the first mount, and a plurality of rods extending between the first and second mounts, where at least one rod is a load bearing rod. The foot includes an elongate member having a toe section and a heel section. In many applications, the elongate member is arched. The shin is coupled to the foot by an ankle. The ankle allows the shin to rotate around an axis substantially perpendicular to a line between the toe and heel sections of the foot. A rotation controlling element such as an elastic band or a compression spring is connected to both the ankle and to the elongate member to restrict rotation of the shin toward the heel section of the foot. The ankle may also allow the shin to move around a second axis to simulate lateral rotation of the ankle.

Abstract: A legged walking robot such as a two-legged walking robot has a plurality of movable legs and a plurality of foot soles mounted respectively on distal ends of the movable legs by respective foot joints. Each of the foot soles has a curved surface disposed on at least a portion of a peripheral edge thereof. The curved surface is shaped such that the foot joint follows a predetermined curved path along a forward direction in which the legged walking robot walks. The foot sole also includes at least one projection on one or each of leading and trailing ends of the foot sole in the forward direction. The projection is movable into and out of a projecting position from the foot sole, but is normally urged into the projecting position to support the foot sole stably on the terrain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prosthetic foot comprising an integrally formed, flexible keel preferably in a cosmetic covering. The keel has a forefoot portion and a heel portion joined by an ankle portion. The inferior aspect of the ankle portion defines an arch which expands in response to a load, and the superior aspect of the ankle portion forms a platform which engages a conventional leg assembly. The forefoot portion is contoured, thicker on the medial side than on the lateral side, which shifts the midline of weight distribution in the forefoot portion medially. This provides a more natural alignment of the foot during the gait cycle. The toe end of the forefoot portion is biased along the natural toe break line. The posterior aspect of the ankle portion defines a concavity under the platform which is continuous with the superior aspect of the heel portion. A horizontal slot continuous with the concavity extends from the posterior aspect of the ankle portion between the platform and the arch.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot includes a prosthesis body having a toe region disposed in a front part of the prosthetic foot, and a one-piece insert which is provided in the prosthesis body and which absorbs and transmits stresses imposed on the prosthesis body. The insert enables at least a plantar and dorsal deflection as well as axial compression of the prosthesis body, and has an approximately S-shaped design in the longitudinal section of the prosthetic foot. The insert includes a top horizontal section which forms a top edge of the prosthetic foot, and a bottom horizontal section which is of an extended construction compared with the top section and which has a free end which extends into the toe region of the prosthesis body, so that a high elasticity and a high energy storage capacity of the front part of the prosthetic foot are achieved. A front inclined section extends at an obtuse angle from the top section to form a rigid angular element.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot apparatus with a movable heel to facilitate insertion of the heel into tight pants legs, boots, shoes and the like. The apparatus includes a generally stationary foot base and a heel connected thereto for movement between a normal walking position and a dressing position displaced forwardly and downwardly therefrom and a releasable locking means for retaining the heel in the walking position.A method for moving the heel of a prosthetic foot to facilitate its insertion into tight pant legs, shoes, boots and the like includes: providing the prosthetic foot apparatus of the invention; releasing the locking means; allowing the heel to move forwardly and downwardly to the dressing position; inserting the foot apparatus into the pant leg, shoe, or the like; and returning the heel to the walking position by stepping down on the foot.

Abstract: In a lower limb prothesis an energy storing foot (10) is combined with a resilient ankle joint (13) which is arranged to allow plantar flexion but substantially to prevent dorsi-flexion. The ankle joint (13) comprises a ball and socket joint (42), the socket (44) of which is extended downwardly on the anterior, medial and lateral sides to form a skirt (44A) positioned so as to compress a resilient ring (54) encircling a ball member (46) of the ball and socket joint (42). Metal plates (56) are embedded in the anterior part of the ring to prevent significant dorsi-flexion. The foot (10) has a single-piece carbon fiber reinforced plastics keel (12) having a lower spring portion (12B) connected at its posterior end as a cantilever to an upper ankle mounting portion (12). The resilient of the foot (10) is adjustable by means of a transversely extending support bar (28) which can be moved longitudinally by rotating an adjusting screw (30).

Abstract: An improved prosthetic foot keel is proposed, based on the capability of the flexible keel to maintain the amputee's stability by means of medio-lateral forces and impulsions, while initially storing energy at heel strike and mid-stance, for restoring same at toe-off, in all planes. The keel is of the cantilever spring type, as generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,509 to Poggi et al.. The improvement is directed: firstly, to a medially-oriented heel curvature which, at heel strike, provides medio-lateral stability during the weight transfer from the contra-lateral limb to the prosthetic limb; and secondly, to an inward medio-lateral forefront portion extension thereof which, by extending the lever arm of the deformable keel, produces a medio-lateral propulsion capability at foot push off. Hence, this keel medio-lateral heel curvature and inward extension facilitates lateral back and forth swinging motion of the amputee's body center of gravity, typical of a normal gait.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot comprises a flexible planter member, a flexible dorsal member, and a posterior pylon member connected by ball and socket joints. Elastic snubbers and torsion resistors aid in controlling the movement of the three structural members relative to each other. During ambulation, the foot deforms elastically to generate approximately the same forces and feel to the user as would be generated by the skeleton, muscles, tendons, and ligaments of a natural foot.

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: A biofeedback activated orthosis for foot-drop rehabilitation is provided including a lifting mechanism, a control circuit, a muscle activity sensing mechanism, and an electrogoniometer. The lifting mechanism lifts a foot through the swing phase of a gait cycle by way of a drive motor mechanism which pulls a cable passing between a foot brace and a shin brace. The drive motor mechanism allows the cable to unwind upon heel-strike by way of a slip coupling. The drive motor mechanism is controlled by a control circuit which assimilates and processes an incoming electromyographic (EMG) signal from the muscle activity sensing mechanism detected by EMG electrodes placed on the skin above the dorsiflexor muscles of the user. The control circuit also processes a leg position information signal obtained by a radial resistor attached to a knee brace strapped to the knee for sensing the angular position of the lower leg.

Abstract: A prosthesis for fitting a below-the-knee amputee is disclosed and includes a socket for receiving the stump of the below-the-knee amputee, a keel having a peripheral groove formed about the periphery of a bottom portion of the keel, a tubular shin member extending from the socket and surrounding lateral and medial portions of the keel and filling the peripheral grooves formed about the bottom portion of the keel leaving a substantial portion of the bottom of the keel exposed. A resilient foot member is then secured to the exposed portion of the keel with the material of the tubular shin member being formed into the grooves of the keel and maintaining such keel within the shin member. Also the method of manufacturing such prosthesis.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot (10) includes a viscoelastic cantilever spring keel (12) encased in foamed polymer cover (14) shaped to resemble a human foot. The keel (12) includes an attachment flange (16) for connecting the keel to an upper prosthesis at a location generally corresponding to the location of the ankle joint of a human foot. The keel (12) also includes a forefoot portion in the form of a singular beam (22) cantilevered forwardly and diagonally downwardly from the mounting flange (16). The beam (22) is composed of a primary section (50) extending forwardly from the attachment flange (16) and a forward portion (48) having a significantly lower spring rate and, thus, substantially more compliant than the adjacent portions of the beam primary section (50).

Abstract: An artificial jointless foot comprises an incompressible core, preferably made of wood, the underside of which slopes upwards from the front to the rear and forms an upper connecting surface in the ankle region and which extends into the instep region of the foot with an extension decreasing in height towards the front, a heel wedge connected to the underside of the core and made of a soft plastic foam, with a skin-forming layer composed of a plastic foam and completely surrounding the arrangement comprising the core and heel wedge, with the exception of an upper connecting surface. The foot has good movement properties, while at the same time being of simple design and having desirable flexibility in the instep region. The core, beginning from its front edge on the connecting surface, extending into the instep region by an amount corresponding to less than half its length on the connecting surface.

Abstract: A jointless prosthetic foot having a resilient foot insert, which is provided inside the prosthesis body, absorbs and transmits the prosthetic stresses, and which has a top horizontal section, forming the top edge of the prosthetic foot and offering a connection possibility with the prosthesis, and a bottom section which is of extended construction compared to the top section and extends with its free end into the toe region to achieve high elasticity for the front part of the foot in conjunction with high energy storage capacity when the front part of the foot is stressed, has at least a plantar flection and a dorsal flection, the top section and the bottom section enclosing a top and bottom angle respectively with the oblique Z-bar and delimiting rear and front wedge-shaped cavities respectively.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot characterized by a forefoot portion having a heel portion demountably and interchangeably connected thereto. The forefoot portion and heel portion are fabricated from polymer impregnated and encapsulated laminates, including such laminates as carbon fibers and/or fiberglas or synthetic fibers such as Kevlar. The demountable connection of the heel portion permits interchangeability of heel and forefoot portions to match the weight, stride and activity schedule of the wearer utilizing the prosthetic foot.

Abstract: An artificial jointless foot comprises a wooden core forming an upper connecting surface with an elastic synthetic material connected to the wooden core for forming the foot shape and guaranteeing a flexible rolling action. The wooden core forms, on the connecting surface, a dorsal stop for an adaptor connectable to the stop. Deformation of the connecting surface in the region of the dorsal stop is prevented, even when wood not resistant to such load is used for the wooden core. The wooden core has, in the region of the dorsal stop, a recess open at the top and filled with a duroplastic cast resin, the surface of which is in line with the connecting surface.

Abstract: A boot for a peg leg comprises a circular sole of non-skid elastic material, connected by a watertight seam, to a tubular upper. The upper, which is also made of an elastomeric material, is shaped to receive the shaft of a peg leg, such that the boot is held in place by friction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthesis for amputation of the leg.This prosthesis comprises, in monobloc form:a socket (1) of a thermosettable resin, preferably provided with reinforcement fibers;a hollow leg element (2) rigidly integral with the socket, likewise of a thermosettable resin, preferably provided with reinforcement fibers;a hollow foot part (3) rigidly integral with the leg element (2), and in which is lodged a rigid core (26) of a foam of plastic material or similar, this foot part being likewise of a thermosettable material, preferably provided with reinforcement fibers;a sole element (4) of a thermosettable resin, preferably provided with reinforcement fibers, closing the hollow foot part at its base.

Abstract: A prosthesis fabricated from filamentary laminates including a pylon having an upper extremity, a shin portion, an ankle portion and a forwardly extending foot portion, all integral with one another. A separate heel portion is secured directly to the foot portion and is provided in different modules of stiffness which serve, when secured to the foot portion, to greatly enhance the life-like movement of the foot and the entire prosthesis. The pylon is provided in different modules to match the weight and activity levels of a wide spectrum of individuals.

Abstract: A sensory input discrimination system for use with a prosthetic limb such as a prosthetic hand having five digits. The discrimination system includes pairs of sonic frequency generators in electrical communication with pressure transducers which are disposed proximally to each other and within the extremity of corresponding digits of the prosthetic hand, the frequency generators having discrete sonic frequencies. The electrical communication between each frequency generator and the pressure sensor is open in the absence of contact pressure, and closed in the presence of contact pressure. Such closure generates a discrete sonic frequency output from the digit to which the contact pressure has been applied. In the prosthesis, a power unit amplifies the frequency outputs and provides power for the operation of the frequency generators and pressure transducers. The power unit exhibits an output including a voltage and a sonic frequency.

Abstract: A first member of an artificial limb such as a tube socket has a generally rhombic flange formed with throughholes grouped into an anterior-posterior pair and a medial/lateral pair spaced at 90 degree intervals about the axis of socket. The lower face of the flange carries a ball formation of a ball and socket articulation. A second member in the form of ankle attachment plate has a concave seat that accepts the ball and threaded bores conforming to the through holes. The first and second members are held together by clamping screws received in the bores that fit onto washers having spherical lower faces that articulate on seats. The resulting alignment device is simple to manufacture and preserves angular position when an adjacent pair only of the clamping screws are removed. A similar alignment device having a cylindrical projection articulating in a cylindrical seat under the control of a single pair of clamping screws provides for heel height adjustment.

Abstract: A positive casting for a human foot for use in making a foot orthosis is disclosed. The positive casting includes a main section, a rear section, and a front section. The rear section is movable with respect to the main section for correcting deformities in the rearfoot. The front section is movable with respect to the main section for correcting deformities in the forefoot. A mechanism is also provided for fixing together and adjustably positioning the three sections thus formed with respect to one another. The casting can include a first ray section cut from the front section and movable with respect to the front section for correcting deformities in the forefoot and first ray. A method is also disclosed for forming a foot orthosis which includes the improvement of sectioning a positive casting made of a foot into a main section, a front section, and a rear section. The main section, front section, and rear section are adjusted with respect to each other to correct for deformities in the foot.

Abstract: In a prosthetic foot constructed to store strain energy as the foot reacts to the load of the amputee's body during walking, running, jumping, etc., and then to release the stored energy to create foot lift and thrust which complements the user's natural stride, a monolithic cantilever beam made of a hardened polymer is provided as the keel of the foot with an ankle attachment fitting for connection to a standard upper prosthesis. A flexible foamed polymer is molded about the keel, in the shape of a natural foot, to transfer horizontal loads to the keel and to serve as a cosmetic cover.

Abstract: An arrangement for adjusting the heel height of a prosthetic foot includes a cavity at the rear aspect of the prosthetic foot adapted to receive a separate locking block therein. Both the locking block and the cavity, as seen inside elevational view, are arcuate in configuration. Secured to the lower aspect of the block are a pair of arcuate rails spaced transversely from each other. Secured to the upper surface of the cavity and in complementary relation to the arcuate rails are a pair of transversely spaced grooves or tracks to receive the respective rails. The locking block may be moved longitudinally and arcuately of the prosthetic foot to thereby adjust the heel height of the foot when it is secured to a prosthetic device. A locking bolt is used to accomplish the attachment of the foot to the device and hold the block in fixed position to maintain the desired heel height.

Abstract: A prosthesis foot (1) comprises a light-weight hollow core (3) which by a combination of shape, material and material thickness forms a system of elastic and rigid areas, so that the core in itself forms a joint system, which can be connected directly to a foot adapter (2) without the mediation of separate elastic or articulated elements. The core or skeleton (3) preferably consists of a plastics material having good resistance to folding ("hinge material"), and it is preferably made by blow molding, injection molding, rotation molding, or the like. The new prosthesis foot has low weight, is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and provides for very good simulation of the possibilities of movement and the pattern of movement of the biological foot during walking.

Abstract: A composite prosthetic foot and leg which allows a high degree of mobility on the part of an amputee is disclosed. The prosthetic foot and leg utilizes a resin impregnated high strength filament structure for the leg portion, the foot portion and heel portion, with all three regions being provided with substantial elastic flexibility, preferably of relatively low energy absorption characteristics so as to give the wearer high mobility with a relatively natural feel. All three portions of the prosthetic foot and leg are rigidly joined, with a flexibility of the leg portion providing flexibility of the leg in response to both torques about the ankle as well as about a vertical axis while simultaneously providing sidewise rigidity of the structure. Various embodiments are disclosed.