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.

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 device is provided to allow adaptation of a prosthetic or robotic foot in the medial-lateral direction, including pronation and supination of the foot using a series of articulations. Articulations are permitted in the disclosed device due to linkage systems positioned at various locations of the prosthetic foot. In particular, the device includes multiple connected linkage systems each including upper and lower portions with an articulating contact surface designed for load carriage and stability. The point of contact between the contact surfaces of each linkage system comprises the position-dependent instantaneous center of rotation of the upper portion with respect to the lower portion. The device also includes a platform coupled between the linkage systems and a base.

A prosthetic knee can include a variable-torque magnetorheological (MR) actuator assembly or braking system, a frame and an electronics assembly or system that also serves as a mount for the knee actuator and facilitates in monitoring and controlling the operation of the knee actuator. The prosthetic knee system advantageously provides resistive forces to substantially simulate the position and motion of a natural knee joint during ambulation and/or other locomotory activities performed by the amputee. The prosthetic knee can have a series of internal blades for providing resistive forces. A locking ratchet can be used to lock knee position. A dynamic seal with a protective shim can be disposed in the knee actuator. A coil with a non-circular cross-section can be used.

Disclosed herein is a robotic ankle foot prosthesis that replicates the key biomechanical functions of the biological ankle and toe joints while matching the weight, size, and battery life of passive microprocessor-controlled prostheses. A single actuator powers the ankle and toe joints. The mechanism maximizes the mechanical energy regeneration during walking while imitating the physiological features of energy injection by way of the ankle joint and energy dissipation by way of the toe joint.

A bionic digit (1) that comprises an intermediate portion (15), a tip portion (23) and a hinge (27.29) connecting the tip portion (23) to the intermediate portion (15). The bionic digit (1) further comprises a linear actuator assembly (45) located within the intermediate portion (15) that is connected to the intermediate portion (15) and to the tip portion (23). The linear actuator assembly (45) is provided with a force generator (47), to which is connected a rotary drive shaft (49), and a ball screw (51) connected to the rotary drive shaft (49) for rotation therewith, wherein the ball screw (51) has a helical drive ball raceway (65) extending around its external surface, along at least part of its length, a plurality of drive balls (57), each drive ball (57) located within the helical drive ball raceway (65) and within a drive ball aperture (63) of a ball retention element (55) that is located around the ball screw (51), that is shorter than the ball screw (51) and that is moveable relative to the ball screw (51). Each drive ball (57) is also located within an annular groove (77) of a drive collar (53) that is positioned around the ball retention element (55), the drive collar (53) being rotatable relative to the ball retention element (55) and the ball screw (51) around the longitudinal axis L-L of the ball screw (51). The drive collar (53) has multiple annular grooves (77) that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ball screw (51) and is provided with a first engagement element (79). The tip portion (23) is provided with a second engagement element (83) and the first engagement portion (79) and the second engagement portion (83) are engaged with each other.

A prosthetic device includes a phalanges portion, a metatarsals portion that is movably coupled to the phalanges portion, an ankle portion that is movably coupled to the metatarsals portion, and a calcaneus portion that is movably coupled to the ankle portion.

A prosthetic ankle and foot combination has an ankle joint mechanism constructed to allow damped rotational movement of a foot component relative to a shin component. The mechanism provides a continuous hydraulically damped range of ankle motion during walking with dynamically variable damping resistances, and with independent variation of damping resistances in the plantar-flexion and dorsi-flexion directions. An electronic control system coupled to the ankle joint mechanism includes at least one sensor for generating signals indicative of a kinetic or kinematic parameter of locomotion, the mechanism and the control system being arranged such that the damping resistances effective over the range of motion of the ankle are adapted automatically in response to such signals. Single and dual piston hydraulic damping arrangements are disclosed, including arrangements allowing independent heel-height adjustment.

An artificial knee is configured to be worn by a person. Artificial knees include a thigh link configured to move in unison with a thigh of the person, and a shank link configured to be coupled to the thigh link. Artificial knees include a compression spring coupled to the thigh link at a first end of the compression spring, the compression spring configured to be coupled to the shank link at a second end of the compression spring. The compression spring is configured to provide an extension torque between the thigh link and the shank link during a first range of motion of the thigh link and the shank link relative to each other. The compression spring is configured to provide a flexion torque between the thigh link and the shank link during a second range of motion of the thigh link and the shank link relative to each other.

Features for a prosthetic wrist and associated methods are described. The wrist couples with a prosthetic socket and a prosthetic hand. The wrist may rotate the hand. The wrist includes features to prevent or mitigate undesirable separation of the wrist from the socket. The wrist may have an expanding coupling, such as an expanding ring, to better secure the wrist with the socket. An actuator may cause the coupling to expand outward to prevent or mitigate undesirable separation of the wrist from the socket. Alternatively or in addition, the wrist may include torque control features to prevent undesirable or premature separation of the hand from the wrist, for example when using a quick wrist disconnect (QWD) apparatus. A torque control method may tailor or limit multiple torques to be applied by the wrist to the hand based on operational requirements and phases, such as anticipated torque loads and operational timing.