Abstract: A prosthetic device has a movable body and foot member with an end effector for contacting an external surface. A base body is coupled to a first joint of the foot member. A compliant linking member is disposed between a second joint of the foot member and a first joint of the moveable body. The compliant linking member can be a spring or flexible beam. A passive linking member is coupled between a third joint of the foot member and a third joint of the moveable body. An actuator is disposed between the base body and the second joint of the movable body. The actuator can be a motor with an extension member. The compliant linking member extends during roll-over phase. The actuator acts to assist with the extension of the compliant linking member during roll-over phase to aid with push-off phase in the gait cycle.

Abstract: Prosthetic feet having improved vertical suspension are provided. A prosthetic foot can include a foot member having a change in curvature near a toe section so that the toe section is downwardly vertically offset from the remainder of the foot member. A prosthetic foot can have upper and lower foot members that extend parallel to each other and are separated by a gap. The lower foot member can extend beyond a distal end of the upper foot member to form a toe section. An adapter for coupling a prosthetic foot to another prosthetic component is also provided. The adapter includes a cavity for receiving the proximal end of a prosthetic foot. The prosthetic foot is secured to the adapter with a curable material such as epoxy to provide a more lightweight system.

Abstract: Various systems, apparatuses, and methods for producing a prosthetic foot by an additive manufacturing process are disclosed.

Abstract: An artificial foot device may include a core, a talus body operatively coupled with the core by a first joint, and a toe operatively coupled with the core by a second joint. The first joint may provides for constrained relative movement between the talus body and the core. The second joint may provide for constrained relative movement between the core and the toe. In some embodiments, the core may include a core assembly including a core body, an Achilles sheave coupled with the core body and a toe bracket coupled with the core body. The toe bracket may be operatively coupled with the toe, and the Achilles sheave may be operatively coupled with the talus body. Constrained relative movement between the talus body and the core may substantially correspond to a coordinated movement of a first natural joint and a second natural joint during ambulation of a natural human foot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting malformed joints, in particular the “hammer toe” contraction of the proximal interphalangeal joint. The disclosure comprises a two-component implant: a proximal phalanx component and a middle phalanx component. An endosseous stem on each component is inserted axially into the end of a respective host bone and, after insertion, the components are attached. The attached components are held together in various ways, for example a detent arm/aperture mechanism. Each component can be cannulated to allow for the passage of a kirschner wire, if necessary, to stabilize adjacent joints such as the proximal interphalangeal joint. The bones of the treated joint can be set to form a desired angle by adjusting the angle formed by the corresponding endosseous stems.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot may comprise a resilient member comprising an outer arced surface, a toe piece, a mid-stance support, and a heel support. The toe piece may be coupled to an anterior portion of the outer arced surface of the resilient member. The mid-stance support may be removably coupled to a middle portion of the outer arced surface of the resilient member. The heel support coupled to a posterior portion of the outer arced surface of the resilient member.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot comprises a ground engaging bottom resilient member, a resilient heel member, and a resilient toe member that collectively circumscribe an open volumetric space. The members resilient compress to absorb compressive force throughout the entire stride of an individual utilizing the foot.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a prosthetic, orthotic, or robotic foot having at least two joints. One joint is located in a position analogous to the human MTP joint, and the other is located in a position analogous to the human subtalar joint. Motions of these two joints are mechanically couples. Furthermore, these joints are created using “tensegrity” design principals, where connections between the compression members are made by a network of tension members. These tension members create axes of motion, and limitations on those axes of motion. Actuators or linear elastic “springs” are use to alter the torque/angular deflection response curve of these joints, so that the rollover profile of the human foot can be duplicated by this invention.

Abstract: An artificial foot device may include a core, a talus body operatively coupled with the core by a first joint, and a toe operatively coupled with the core by a second joint. The first joint may provides for constrained relative movement between the talus body and the core. The second joint may provide for constrained relative movement between the core and the toe. In some embodiments, the core may include a core assembly including a core body, an Achilles sheave coupled with the core body and a toe bracket coupled with the core body. The toe bracket may be operatively coupled with the toe, and the Achilles sheave may be operatively coupled with the talus body. Constrained relative movement between the talus body and the core may substantially correspond to a coordinated movement of a first natural joint and a second natural joint during ambulation of a natural human foot.

Abstract: A foot/ankle implant anatomically-shaped for implantation between two bone portions of the foot or ankle to correct associated deformities. The foot/ankle implant has a peripheral wall surrounding a central bore therethrough and defining an annular cross-section. The wall is constructed from a composite material that includes a ceramic component and a polymer component. The ceramic component is gradually resorbed after implantation, and the polymeric component gradually degrades after implantation.

Abstract: An artificial toe joint utilizes a ball in socket joint structure and arms or side walls which are exterior to the bone. The resulting joint provides improved strength and durability, and may be used to repair joints which are not suitable for installation of a prior art artificial joint.

Abstract: A method of making an external protective and cosmetic covering for use on an endoskeletal or exoskeletal prosthesis, that has toes included in it. The skin is produced on a mold having toes cut into it. The mold is narrower and undersized in the actual foot prosthesis. The mold is modified to have toes cut into it with the definition of the toes greatly exaggerated to emphasize the normal contours and definitions of the natural nail and natural nail bed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus prepares a joint surface to receive a prosthetic joint implant during the replacement of a defective human joint. In particular the invention provides an implant preparation device that will smooth or alter a bearing surface of a first side of a joint before surgically attaching a joint implant to a second side of the joint. The implant or joint preparation device has an abrasive bearing surface that is used to smooth the bearing surface of the remaining natural joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus prepares a joint surface to receive a prosthetic joint implant during the replacement of a defective human joint. In particular the invention provides an implant preparation device that will smooth or alter a bearing surface of a first side of a joint before surgically attaching a joint implant to a second side of the joint. The implant or joint preparation device has an abrasive bearing surface that is used to smooth the bearing surface of the remaining natural joint.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot is characterized by an attachment section and plurality of curvilinear foot portions extending downwardly from the attachment section to contact a supporting surface. The portions are capable of movement independent from one another. Preferably, the plurality of foot portions is fabricated by dividing a forefoot portion and a heel portion demountably attached thereto. Such division may be achieved by the provision of a slot in said forefoot and heel portions. A strap or similar expedient is provided to limit the movement of the foot portions relative to each other.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot keel comprising: (a) a generally S-shaped unitary spatula, defining a main forefoot leg, a rear leg, and an intermediate leg integrally joining the forefoot and rear legs; and (b) a generally C-shape heel, defining a top heel plate, a bottom heel plate, and an intermediate heel plate transversely integrally interconnecting the top and bottom heel plates; wherein said top heel plate is fixedly anchored against the underface of the spatula rear leg. A generally open pocket is defined by the heel and by the spatula intermediate and rear legs. The pocket opens both rearwardly of the foot keel and laterally outwardly thereof on the side opposite the intermediate heel part. The shape of the open pocket is resiliently deformable responsively to the cyclical loads sustained by the spatula forefoot leg and bottom heel plate during the wearer's gait.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for simulating the movements of a natural human ankle and foot throughout all the phases of the gait cycle and which is adapted for the removable attachment to the stump of a lower extremity amputee includes an ankle block member having an aperture in which a universal joint is disposed for allowing the ankle block member to simulate the movements to the anatomical limits of the natural human ankle. Attached to the universal joint and extending upwardly therefrom is an elongated tibial component having an upper tibial end to which is attached a tibial shock member for shock absorption of the prosthetic device during phases of the gait cycle when the prosthetic device strikes any walking surface.

Abstract: An artificial foot for a robot as a separate planar base plate, the foot being supported from a robot leg by a swivel joint. The inclination of the base plate and foot with respect to the leg can be measured as well as movement of the base plate with respect to the foot.

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.