In some embodiments of a prosthetic or orthotic ankle/foot, a prediction is made of what the walking speed will be during an upcoming step. When the predicted walking speed is slow, the characteristics of the apparatus are then modified so that less net-work that is performed during that step (as compared to when the predicted walking speed is fast). This may be implemented using one sensor from which the walking speed can be predicted, and a second sensor from which ankle torque can be determined. A controller receives inputs from those sensors, and controls a motor's torque so that the torque for slow walking speeds is lower than the torque for fast walking speeds. A controller determines a desired torque based on the output, and controls the motor's torque based on the determined desired torque.

A prosthetic lower leg uses one or more generally C-shaped spring elements between the patient's socket and a footplate assembly. The respective connections between (a) those one or more elements and (b) that socket and that footplate can be configured to provide a lightweight and economic prosthesis that effectively mimics the feel and performance of a normal human foot. The prosthetic spring element is generally C-shaped, and can have a substantially constant thickness along its length, lending itself to being fabricated by automated processes such as filament winding. One or more of the generally C-shaped spring elements can be incorporated into other prostheses and/or other devices.

A prosthetic device is provided including (a) an ankle component, (b) a foot component coupled to the ankle component, wherein the foot component has a longitudinal length extending at least partially along a sagittal plane of a user when the prosthetic device is in use, wherein the foot component has a thickness extending at least partially along a transverse plane of a user when the prosthetic device is in use, and (c) a coupling mechanism positioned between the foot component and the ankle component, wherein the coupling mechanism couples a rotation of the foot component with respect to the sagittal plane to a rotation of the foot component with respect to the transverse plane.

A prosthetic foot has a frame, a forefoot keel, a heel keel, and an adjustable spring member. The frame couples to a prosthetic leg. The forefoot keel includes a first resilient substrate extending from the frame to the anterior end of the foot. The heel keel member includes a second resilient substrate extending from the frame to the posterior end. The first and second resilient substrates are load bearing substrates for a walking human. The adjustable spring member includes a third resilient substrate and a brake. The third resilient substrate has a first end directly or indirectly coupled to the brake, and a second end coupled to the forefoot keel proximate to the anterior end. The third resilient substrate extends through or around the first resilient member and the second resilient member. The brake provides resistance to the travel of the first end of the third resilient substrate in the superior direction.

An adjustable socket system includes a plurality of shell components and longitudinal supports connected to a base and is movable between an open configuration to loosen the fit of the adjustable socket system, and a closed configuration to secure the fit of the adjustable socket system on residual limb received therein. A tightening system includes a tensioning unit having a handle defining a moment arm rotatable about a rotation axis, and a tensioning element operatively coupled to the handle via a movable connection point and to the shell components via a control point. Rotation of the handle displaces the movable connection point and the tensioning element relative to the control point to move the adjustable socket system to the closed configuration.

An artificial limb. The artificial includes a finger part and a drive unit for the finger part. The drive unit includes: a drive output part, a movable part and a drive rope. The movable part is configured to be connected with the drive output part and is capable of moving under a drive of the drive output part. The drive rope is configured to be disposed in the finger part and connected with the movable part and is capable of converting a movement of the movable part into a motion of the finger part.

A prosthetic liner has a ventilated structure communicating with an interior volume to an exterior of the prosthetic liner, thereby permitting a transfer of air and moisture therebetween. The prosthetic liner includes a facing layer defining a periphery of at least part of the interior volume of the liner, and forming a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. A cushion layer is juxtaposed to the facing layer and forms a lattice structure including a plurality of interstices in communication with the apertures of the facing layer.

A method for controlling an artificial orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, on which a lower-leg component is arranged and with which a resistance device is associated, the bending resistance of which resistance device is changed in dependence on sensor data that are determined by at least one sensor during the use of the orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, wherein a linear acceleration of the lower-leg component is determined, the determined linear acceleration is compared with at least one threshold value, and, if a threshold value of the linear acceleration of the lower-leg component is reached, the bending resistance is changed.

A device for enhancing a user's grasping capability comprises a belt-like support configured to be tightly fitted about a user's part of the body; an articulated gripping element having a plurality of phalanxes: proximal, fixed to the support, intermediate and distal, which are articulated to each other by articular joints; a motor unit fixed to the support; a winding drum; a tendon partially wound on the drum and extending along the phalanxes and the joints, arranged so that, by pulling it from the drum, the phalanxes rotate about respective articular joints and move the articulated gripping element from an extended position to a gripping bow-shaped position, causing a flexion/extension movement of the articulated gripping element, the joints configured so that by releasing the tendon from the drum, the phalanxes rotate about the respective joints and move the articulated gripping element between gripping bow-shaped position and extended position.

An adjustable seal system, seal component for use in the system, and method are provided for forming a sealing interface between a residual limb and a prosthetic socket. The seal component is selectively placed over the outer surface of a suspension liner including a plurality of seal bands, which the seal component may removably and securely engage.