The invention relates to a method for controlling an orthopaedic joint device of a lower extremity. The joint device has an upper part (2) and a lower part (3) mounted in a hinged manner on the latter. Arranged between the upper part (2) and the lower part (3) is an energy converter (5) by which, during walking, kinetic energy from the relative movement between the lower part (3) and the upper part (2) is converted or stored and supplied again to the joint in order to support the relative movement, wherein kinetic energy within one movement cycle is converted and/or stored and, within the same movement cycle, is supplied again as kinetic energy to the joint device (1) in a controlled manner and staggered in time.

An incompressible fluid is used to adjust fit for a prosthetic device, the use of a closed loop control system and force, motion, and position measurement to aid with algorithms controlling the fit of the prosthetic device to a residual limb. Embodiments include automatic actuation, based on triggering of threshold values from sensors, a powered full release feature, use of hydraulic transducers to transfer fluid pressure to force on a limb, and customizable pressure distribution pads and embedded valves in transducers to prevent backflow and allow stabilization of the residual limb. A retrofit system may be used for existing prosthetic sockets. A triggering algorithm utilizes measured force exceeding a threshold or thresholds with a characteristic pulse signature and a triggering of release based on a combination of total motion and measured force below a threshold or thresholds.

An enveloping body for at least partly enveloping a limb, comprising an enclosed volume and a connection for supplying fluid to the volume and discharging it from the volume, wherein the enveloping body defines an inner circumference and an outer circumference, wherein the inner circumference of the enveloping body increases as the pressure of the volume increases.

A prosthetic liner for insertion within a socket of a prosthetic limb is provided. The prosthetic liner comprises a body having inflatable bladders and pressure sensors disposed thereon, an electronic circuit, one or more actuators, and a processor. The body receives a residual limb on an interior surface and contacts the socket on an exterior surface. The processor receives a digital pressure signal indicative of a detected pressure from each pressure sensor via the electronic circuit and selectively activates the actuators to adjust a pressure in one or more of the inflatable bladders based on the digital pressure signals and the region of the body corresponding to each digital pressure signal.

Systems and methods are described herein for a prosthetic device that includes a rigid outer shell socket with an inner surface contour. A prosthetic insert socket is manufactured via a manufacturing process, such as three-dimensional printing, to have an outer contour that corresponds to the inner surface contour of the premade outer shell socket. The prosthetic insert socket is manufactured to have an inner contour that corresponds to a residual limb surface contour of a patient.

A prosthetic ankle has an ankle joint body (10A) constituting a shin component and a foot component (12). The ankle joint body (10A) is pivotally connected to the foot component (12) by a first pivotal connection (14) defining a medial-lateral ankle joint flexion axis. The ankle joint body (10A) also forms the cylinder of an ankle joint piston and cylinder assembly with a superior-inferior central axis, the cylinder housing a piston (16) with upper and lower piston rods (16A, 16B). The lower piston rod (16B) is pivotally connected to the foot component (12) at a second pivotal connection (18). As the ankle joint body (10A) pivots about the ankle joint flexion axis, the piston (16) moves substantially linearly in the cylinder formed by the ankle joint body. The cylinder is divided into upper and lower chambers (20A, 20B). These chambers are linked by an hydraulic circuit (22) incorporating passages (22A, 22B) in the ankle joint body (10A), and an energy conversion device in the form of a slave piston and cylinder assembly (24) having a piston (24P) and piston rods (24R) which project beyond the cylinder (24C) of the assembly (24).

Methods and systems for cushioning a residual limb in a prosthetic generally comprise prosthetic limb devices, sockets, bladders, and valve stems. In a preferred embodiment, the residual limb/stump is configured and arranged within the socket and rests on the bladder. The valve stem coupled to the bladder is configured and arranged through the bottom of the socket to allow quick and easy inflation of the bladder. In some embodiments, the present invention also includes upper thigh attachments which may include ball bearings, axles, and thigh straps. In another preferred embodiment, the upper thigh attachment allows the user to securely and adjustably attach the prosthetic limb device to the user's upper thigh.

An intra-frame positioning sling may be disposed internally within a prosthetic socket frame. The sling may include one or more proximal suspension portions adapted to suspend from a proximal aspect of the frame and a tensioning system. The sling may include a first longitudinal side with one or more proximal suspension portions and an opposite longitudinal side that includes the residual limb interfacing or force application portion of the sling. When the tensioning system is tensioned, the sling is pulled toward the first longitudinal side of the prosthetic socket frame. A set of two positioning slings may be rigged in a transfemoral prosthetic socket frame; one sling applies force on a medial side of a hosted residual limb, and the other sling applies force on the lateral side.

A transtibial prosthetic socket frame may include a distal base assembly having a base plate, a carriage configured to support a socket suspension arrangement, and a distal prosthetic component connector. The distal base assembly supports a set of struts that includes two anterior struts and a single posterior strut. The set of struts and distal base assembly collectively define a prosthetic socket cavity having a central longitudinal axis and a residual limb hosting volume. The distal prosthetic component connector has a connecting adapter that is rotatable with respect to the prosthetic socket, and moveable with respect to the base plate between being aligned with the prosthetic socket's central longitudinal axis and a position offset therefrom.

A prosthetic ankle includes a pair of prosthetic members movably coupled together to allow movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another. A hydraulic actuator or damper including hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic chamber is coupled to one of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic piston is movably disposed in the hydraulic chamber and coupled to another of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic flow channel is fluidly coupled between opposite sides of the chamber to allow hydraulic fluid to move between the opposite sides of the chamber as the hydraulic piston moves therein. A voice coil valve is coupled to the hydraulic flow channel to vary resistance to flow of hydraulic fluid through the flow channel, and thus movement of the piston in the chamber, and thus influencing a rate of movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another.