The present invention provides a prosthetic device (10) having an anchor portion (30) in combination with a base portion (12) which is connected to the anchor portion (30). An elongate digit (14) is coupled to a first portion of a pivot connection (16a) mounted on the base portion (12), whilst a second portion of a pivot connection (16b) is mounted on the proximal end (14a) of the digit (14) and is connected to the first portion (16a) of the pivot connection (16). A linear actuator (40) within the elongate digit (14) has a first portion (40a) secured to the elongate digit (14) for movement therewith and a second portion (40b) remote therefrom and axially movable relative thereto and is operable with said pivot connection (16) to cause pivotal movement of the digit (14) around the pivot connection (16a, 16b) upon axial movement of the second portion (40b) of the linear actuator (40).

A prosthetic digit can include a proximal segment connected to an intermediate segment about a first axis of rotation and a distal segment connected to the intermediate segment about a second axis of rotation. A linkage can be connected to the proximal segment about a third axis of rotation and can couple the proximal segment to the distal segment. The linkage can be configured such that a distal end of the distal segment to rotate toward the proximal segment about the second axis of rotation when the intermediate segment is rotated in a palmar direction about the first axis of rotation. A unidirectional lock can allow the intermediate segment to rotate about the first axis of rotation in a palmar direction but not in a dorsal direction. A release mechanism can release the unidirectional lock to allow the intermediate segment to rotate in the dorsal direction.

A prosthetic or robot part (500) is described, including at least one phalange member (532) pivotally coupled to a base (509) at a pivot axis; and a drive assembly to selectively move the phalange member about the pivot axis along a flexion/extension plane between an open position and a closed position. The drive assembly includes a drive element (512) coupled to an actuator (506) and a driven element (514) coupled to the phalange member; wherein the driven element (514) is decouplable from the drive element (512) when the phalange member is caused to move in a first rotational direction about the pivot axis by an external force.

A system and method for a compliant four-bar linkage mechanism for a robotic finger that includes: a monolithic bone structure comprised of a compliant joint region and an input link segment and a coupler link segment, wherein the input link segment and the coupler link segment are connected through the compliant joint; an output link; a ground structure; wherein the monolithic bone structure, output link, and ground structure are connected through a set of joints in a configuration of a compliant four-bar linkage mechanism which comprises: the output link on a first end and the coupler link segment connected through an output joint, the output link on a second end connected to a ground joint on the ground structure, and the monolithic bone structure connected to an input joint connected to the ground structure; and an actuation input coupled to the input joint.

A limb prosthesis including a palm, a forearm, an upper arm, an elbow joint and a wrist joint is provided. The palm has a first pivot and a first lock set. The upper arm has a socket. The elbow joint connects the forearm to the upper arm. The wrist joint includes a first connecting rod connected to the forearm. The first pivot rotatably penetrates through the first connecting rod. The first lock set is locked to the first pivot. A first wedge surface of the first lock set contacts a second wedge surface of the first connecting rod. By adjusting a distance between the first lock set and the first pivot, a magnitude of a forward force between the first wedge surface and the second wedge surface is adjusted, such that the palm is fixed relative to the first connecting rod or rotatable around an axial direction perpendicular to an extending direction of the forearm.

A passive artificial knee includes a knee hinge assembly defining a knee axis, a locking hinge assembly defining a locking axis, and a post linking the knee hinge assembly and the locking hinge assembly. A ground reaction force applied to the artificial knee posterior to the locking axis causes an interfering relation by compression of the locking hinge assembly and the knee hinge assembly during heel strike at early-stance gait phase of an individual wearing the artificial knee, thereby locking rotation of the post about the knee axis. Shifting of ground reaction force anterior to the locking axis during a mid-stance to late-stance gait phase of the individual causes rotation of the post about the locking axis, thereby unlocking rotation of the post about the knee axis and enabling flexion and subsequent swing phase extension of the passive artificial knee joint. The artificial knee is a passive joint that can be fabricated and maintained at low expense.

A prosthetic knee having a passive knee locking mechanism that uses the same four-bar mechanics found in a natural knee. The flexible four-bar mechanism guides the motion of the knee, aids in the return of the knee from full flexion to extension, and connects a femoral gear to a tibial gear. The gears have a circular radius and are connected using parallel links to keep the femur and tibia together when the knee is active. The knee stays locked throughout the stance phase. At toe off, no weight is applied on the prosthetic knee allowing the knee to flex. The flexible links are stretched, thereby increasing the stiffness in the springs, and at terminal swing phase, moments before heel strike, the flexible links in the four-bar mechanism snap back to the extended/locking position and lockout once the user applies his/her weight on the knee.

A system and method for a compliant four-bar linkage mechanism for a robotic finger that includes: a monolithic bone structure comprised of a compliant joint region and an input link segment and a coupler link segment, wherein the input link segment and the coupler link segment are connected through the compliant joint; an output link; a ground structure; wherein the monolithic bone structure, output link, and ground structure are connected through a set of joints in a configuration of a compliant four-bar linkage mechanism which comprises: the output link on a first end and the coupler link segment connected through an output joint, the output link on a second end connected to a ground joint on the ground structure, and the monolithic bone structure connected to an input joint connected to the ground structure; and an actuation input coupled to the input joint.

Prosthetic devices and, more particularly, modular myoelectric prosthesis components and related methods, are described. In one embodiment, a hand for a prosthetic limb may comprise a rotor-motor; a transmission, comprising a differential roller screw; a linkage coupled to the transmission; and at least one finger coupled to the linkage. In one embodiment, a component part of a wrist of a prosthetic limb may comprise an exterior-rotor motor, a planetary gear transmission, a clutch, and a cycloid transmission. In one embodiment, an elbow for a prosthetic limb may comprise an exterior-rotor motor, and a transmission comprising a planetary gear transmission, a non-backdrivable clutch, and a screw.

A method for adjusting a flexion angle of a prosthetic ankle includes a user adjusting a relative angle between first and second coupling members of the prosthetic ankle using a flexion angle adjustment mechanism of the prosthetic ankle that requires no tools to adjust.