Prosthesis devices can include sockets having adjustable features. In one example, a socket includes one or more panels that can move outwardly or inwardly relative to a receptacle portion of the socket. The panels can be moved by tightening a tensioning line.

Prosthetic feet that provide for variable and adjustable stiffness are provided. A foot element can include a tongue portion defined or formed by a slot in the foot element that at least partially separates the tongue portion from a remainder of the foot element. The tongue portion can be operably connected to the remainder of the foot member to increase the stiffness of the foot member or operably disconnected from the remainder of the foot member to increase the flexibility of the foot member. The prosthetic foot further includes a mechanism for adjusting whether the tongue portion is operably connected or disconnected from the remainder of the foot member. The mechanism can be selectively actuated to adjust the stiffness of the foot element in dorsiflexion and/or plantarflexion and/or to adjust the degree to which the tongue portion is allowed to flex relative to the remainder of the foot member.

A traction system for an ambulatory support such as a prosthetic foot blade or a crutch includes a sole plate, a latch assembly, and a strap. The sole plate is couplable to a distal end of the ambulatory support to extend under a bottom side of the ambulatory support and a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes a front catch and a rear catch both fixable at a top side of the ambulatory support with the front catch nearer to the distal end of the ambulatory support than the rear catch, and a lever having a front end and a rear end, the front end releasably latchable to the front catch and the rear end releasably latchable to the rear catch when the lever is pivoted about the latched front end. The strap is secured to the lever and to the sole plate.

The present invention is directed to an autonomous exoskeleton device that includes one or more actuators, one or more controllers, one or more sensors with one or more unidirectional transmissions. The present invention provides a mechanical joint in parallel with a biological joint. The exoskeleton device preferably includes and electric motor and winch, chain, belt, cam transmission or other mechanism for providing unidirectional force to assist rotation about the biologic joint. Moreover, a controller, a motor angle sensor, joint angle sensor and/or force sensor may be used for additional control and monitoring of the device. The motor may be any type of motor, but is preferably brushless in configuration where its diameter is larger than its length to provide a compact and lightweight exoskeleton device.

An artificial foot and ankle joint consists of a curved leaf spring foot member having a heel extremity and a toe extremity, and a flexible elastic ankle member that connects the foot member for rotation at the ankle joint. An actuator motor applies torque to the ankle joint to orient the foot when it is not in contact with the support surface and to store energy in a catapult spring that is released along with the energy stored in the leaf spring to propel the wearer forward. A ribbon clutch prevents the foot member from rotating in one direction beyond a predetermined limit position. A controllable damper is employed to lock the ankle joint or to absorb mechanical energy as needed. The controller and sensing mechanisms control both the actuator motor and the controllable damper at different times during the walking cycle for level walking, stair ascent, and stair descent.

A prosthetic foot comprises an attachment member and two or more flexible members. The attachment member can include a connector configured to connect the attachment member to a user or another prosthetic device. The two or more flexible members can be rotatably attached to the attachment member by rotatable joints such that the flexible members can both rotate and flex relative to the attachment member when the prosthetic foot contacts the ground.

The invention relates to a prosthetic foot component comprising: a. a proximal fastening system for securing the prosthetic foot component to a proximal component or to a patient; b. a retaining portion situated distally relative to the fastening system and connected to the latter; and c. a main spring extending in a front-foot region and coupled to the retaining portion, wherein: said retaining portion is mounted on the main spring to tilt on the sagittal plane; and a posterior limiting element, which limits the displacement of the retaining portion away from the main spring, is provided between the main spring and the retaining portion.

A knee joint structure includes a knee joint head portion, a knee-joint body portion, and at least one curved plate. The knee joint head portion includes a position-returning device made up of a piston, an elastic body, and an adjustment cap and a transmission axle. The transmission axle includes a push-bar axle, which is pivotally coupled to a push bar operable to drive and move the piston. The knee-joint body portion includes a connection rod pivotally connected to the knee joint head portion. The curved plate connects the transmission axle and the knee joint body portion.

A powered ankle-foot prosthesis, capable of providing human-like power at terminal stance that increase amputees metabolic walking economy compared to a conventional passive-elastic prosthesis. The powered prosthesis comprises a unidirectional spring, configured in parallel with a force-controllable actuator with series elasticity. The prosthesis is controlled to deliver the high mechanical power and net positive work observed in normal human walking.

A prosthetic foot can have an ankle unit with semi-active adjustable stiffness. In one example, the adjustable stiffness is in the sagittal plane. The ankle stiffness can be varied by the ankle unit in response a user input, which can be received via a wireless communication device. The ankle unit can include two load application locations for one or more cantilever springs so as to provide different stiffness in plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. The positions of the two load application locations can be varied in order to vary the stiffness.