A method for controlling an artificial knee joint comprising an upper part and a lower part pivotally connected to each other, a resistance unit arranged between the upper part and the lower part and having an adjusting device to adjust the damping resistance, a control unit, the adjustment taking place on the basis of sensor data from at least one sensor. During the swing phase at least one of the knee angle (KA), the knee angle velocity (KAV), the knee angle acceleration (KAA), the lower limb angle, the lower limb velocity, the lower limb acceleration, the ankle moment (AM) and the axial force (AF) is sensed, the curve of the parameter is determined and the damping resistance is changed when, after an extreme value of the parameter is reached, the monotonic behavior of the curve of the parameter changes within the swing phase.

A variable gain impedance controller for use in a control system for controlling a motorized prosthetic or orthotic apparatus provided with a joint. The controller comprises a sensor input for receiving a signal indicative of an interaction between the apparatus and the ground, a torque sensor input for receiving a signal indicative of the torque at the joint, and a variable gain scheduler in communication with the sensor input to receive data therefrom thereby providing a variable torque gain. The variable gain impedance controller adjusts its control on the apparatus based on the variable torque gain and the indicated torque to increase the joint resistance to motion when the signal received from the sensor input indicates an interaction between the apparatus and the ground, and decrease the joint resistance to motion when the signal received from the sensor input indicates an absence of interaction between the apparatus and the ground.

A prosthetic knee joint includes a thigh connection part to be positioned near a thigh part, a lower leg part rotatibly coupled to the thigh connection part, and a power generating, part for generating power using a resistance resulting from rotation of the lower leg part relative to the thigh connection part.

Apparatuses and methods of fabrication are provided which include a mechanical coolant pump to facilitate pumping a coolant through a coolant loop. The mechanical coolant pump is to couple to an individual and be physically powered by a specified movement of the individual to pump coolant. Coolant pumped by the mechanical coolant pump is circulated by the coolant pump through a device associated with the individual to cool the device.

The present disclosure provides for a device and method of control for an artificial prosthetic knee. A prosthetic knee according to the present disclosure relies on strictly passive means of providing support during weight bearing and supplements a resistive swing-phase mechanism with a small powered actuator. This actuator adds power to the knee, exclusively during swing phase, to improve swing-phase behavior. In particular, the knee still relies on the resistive swing-phase mechanism to provide nominal swing-phase knee motion, but supplements that motion as needed with the small powered actuator.

A magnetorheological apparatus includes a flexible body formed of an elastomer material, a plurality of cell cavities defined by the flexible body, a magnetorheological (MR) fluid disposed within each cell cavity of the plurality of cell cavities, and a magnetic field inductor positioned adjacent to at least one of the cell cavities. Each cell cavity of the plurality of cell cavities is fluidly encapsulated within the flexible body. The magnetic field inductor is selectively operable to vary a magnetic field, and the MR fluid within the at least one cell cavity is configured to vary a stiffness of the at least one cell cavity in response to the magnetic field.

The invention relates to prosthetic foot assembly comprising a prosthetic foot and a series elastic pneumatic actuator connected to the prosthetic foot, the series elastic pneumatic actuator being configurable between a first configuration in which the prosthetic foot is displaced to a first, rest position and a second configuration in which the prosthetic foot is displaced to a second position.

A prosthetic joint and a method of controlling dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the hydraulic prosthetic ankle joint. The method includes generating ground reaction forces with a hydraulic prosthetic ankle, wherein the prosthetic hydraulic ankle comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, and the ankle is connected to a prosthetic foot; rotating the prosthetic foot in response to the ground reaction force; transferring fluid between the forward and rear chambers in response to rotation of the foot; providing a feature to occlude or partially occlude the fluid transfer between chambers; providing a non-electronic mechanism for controlling the flow responsive to both a position of the joint and a rate of change of position of the joint, and wherein the mechanism is arranged such that a dwell at a particular joint location or locations will occlude the flow path.

An orthopedic knee joint having an upper part with upper connecting features, a lower part which is mounted pivotably on the upper part and has connecting features for prosthetic components, and a stop for limiting an extension movement. The stop is coupled to an adjusting device, which is coupled to a control device that actuates the adjusting device as a function of sensor data and changes the position of the stop. If the knee joint is provided with an adjustable extension stop position, the extension stop can be shifted forward for walking which results in a greater inclination at heel strike in order to flex the knee joint and, therefore, increased damping upon initiation of the stance phase. For standing, the adjusting device can be activated so that the extension stop is reversed, such that a statically more secure orthosis or prosthesis set-up can be obtained.

One aspect of the invention provides a prosthetic foot including a heel member, a toe member, and an attachment member comprising a shear thickening material (STM). In one embodiment, the attachment member has a first end and a second end. The first end can be connected to the heel member, and the second end can be connected to the toe member. In another embodiment, the attachment member further comprises an elastic polymer. In one instance, the elastic polymer is impregnated with the STM. In yet another embodiment, the attachment member further comprises an elastic reservoir. The elastic reservoir can contain the STM. Alternatively, the attachment member further comprises a rigid reservoir. The rigid reservoir can contain the STM.