A61F2002/5073

BIOMEDICAL FINGER ASSEMBLY WITH RATCHETING LOCK

This disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, and devices for a prosthetic digit usable with persons with amputations at or proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joint. The device restores prehension in a person with missing fingers or thumb by providing opposition to forces in the extension direction via a spring-loaded pawl and locking rack ratchet mechanism, thereby allowing an individual to manipulate or stabilize objects. The digit may be spring-loaded in the extension direction by a torsion spring or other biasing member. The pawl may be automatically disengaged from the rack when the digit reaches full flexion, and the full flexion disengage stop may be adjustable. The pawl may be automatically engaged with the rack when the digit reaches full extension, and the extension stop may be adjustable. The pawl may contain a lateral feature that creates interference with the anchoring linkage under load and limits deflection of the structure.

Finger Prosthetic

Disclosed is a finger prosthetic is provided that could be attached to an individual's hand. The finger prosthetic includes a midsection, a fingertip portion, and a ring. The midsection, the fingertip portion, and the ring could be 3D printed and customized via 3D scanning The finger prosthetic includes a torsion spring system that comprises a fabricated torsion spring, a cable, and a pin. When the individual flexes their PIP joint, tension is generated in the cable and the cable pulls on the prosthetic fingertip thus flexing the prosthetic DIP joint simultaneously. When the individual wishes to extend the prosthetic DIP joint, he/she simply extends the PIP joint, causing the torsion spring to extend the prosthetic DIP joint. When the PIP joint is at rest, the cable will release the tension and the torsion spring will cause the DIP joint to extend to its upright position.

Passive ankle prosthesis with energy return

An ankle prosthesis comprises a foot prosthesis. A lower ankle is pivotably secured to the foot prosthesis at an ankle joint. An upper ankle is connected to the lower ankle in a manner that permits vertical movement of the upper ankle relative to the lower ankle. A coupling spring is biased in an extended condition. The coupling spring is connected at a first end to the upper ankle. A second end of the coupling spring is movable in a first condition which is engaged to the lower ankle and in a second condition engaged to the foot prosthesis. Energy is stored in compression of the coupling spring when the coupling spring is in the first condition and energy is released from the coupling spring when the coupling spring is in the second condition.

Dynamic linear adjustable prosthetic

A prosthesis with controlled linear motion and methods for adapting the device to multiple amputation points are described. The device is designed to shorten during the swing phase to prevent striking the surface of the ground, and extend at the beginning and end of the swing to provide forward propulsion and begin to transfer bodyweight load from the opposing leg. The prosthesis includes an actuator to provide linear motion, a battery, sensors, and a controller.

Mechanical grasping device
10893957 · 2021-01-19 ·

A mechanical grasping device where each of the segments of the finger assemblies, are individually sizeable. This allows for both a proportionately scalable grasping device as well as individual customization of geometric configurations tailored to specific use patterns. The mechanical grasping device is crushable since it has flexible and pivotable connections between digits along its length and width. It has a hollow member construction that imparts a strong lightweight design. It is modular so individual parts can be replaced for quick repair. From an aesthetics point, it is visually pleasing and can be offered in different colors, and with custom digit sleeves for specific applications. Finger assemblies can be operated individually or in groups via pairs of cables which allow operation in either voluntary open or voluntary closed modes of control. The flexible construction allows gripping of irregularly shaped objects and deforms before failing giving indication of overload prior to failure.

Foot prosthesis with dynamic variable keel resistance
10874528 · 2020-12-29 ·

A prosthetic foot has a frame, a forefoot keel, a heel keel, and an adjustable spring member. The frame couples to a prosthetic leg. The forefoot keel includes a first resilient substrate extending from the frame to the anterior end of the foot. The heel keel member includes a second resilient substrate extending from the frame to the posterior end. The first and second resilient substrates are load bearing substrates for a walking human. The adjustable spring member includes a third resilient substrate and a brake. The third resilient substrate has a first end directly or indirectly coupled to the brake, and a second end coupled to the forefoot keel proximate to the anterior end. The third resilient substrate extends through or around the first resilient member and the second resilient member. The brake provides resistance to the travel of the first end of the third resilient substrate in the superior direction.

MONOCENTRIC PROSTHETIC KNEE
20200323656 · 2020-10-15 ·

A prosthetic knee (10) for a transfemoral amputee has a monocentric rotational joint (20) that rotatably attaches an upper housing (12) attachable to the amputee's residual limb to a lower housing (16) attachable to a below-the knee prosthesis. A locking mechanism (32) disposed in the lower housing (16) has a piston (34) biased in a locked position releasably engaging the upper housing (12) preventing rotation of the rotational joint (20). An unlocking mechanism (32) having a trigger (48) attached to a posterior side of the lower housing (16) by a pair of spaced-apart trigger links (52) is configured to unlock the locking mechanism (32). A piston rod (62) having a first piston-rod end (64) pivotably attached to one of the trigger links (52) has a second piston-rod end (68) pivotably attached to the piston (34). A force applied to the trigger (48) causes the first piston-rod end (64) to pivot counterclockwise driving the piston rod (62) downwardly disengaging the piston (34) from the locked position, allowing rotation of the rotational joint (20).

PROSTHETIC DEVICE AND METHOD WITH COMPLIANT LINKING MEMBER AND ACTUATING LINKING MEMBER
20200214856 · 2020-07-09 ·

A prosthetic device has a movable body and foot member with an end effector for contacting an external surface. A base body is coupled to a first joint of the foot member. A compliant linking member is disposed between a second joint of the foot member and a first joint of the moveable body. The compliant linking member can be a spring or flexible beam. A passive linking member is coupled between a third joint of the foot member and a third joint of the moveable body. An actuator is disposed between the base body and the second joint of the movable body. The actuator can be a motor with an extension member. The compliant linking member extends during roll-over phase. The actuator acts to assist with the extension of the compliant linking member during roll-over phase to aid with push-off phase in the gait cycle.

Microprocessor controlled prosthetic ankle system for footwear and terrain adaptation

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.

Electromagnetic actuation mechanism for individual digit control of an artificial hand
10653539 · 2020-05-19 ·

The disclosed invention is an innovative, cost-efficient driving mechanism for the prosthetic hand industry that makes the use of only one motor to individually control each digit on a prosthetic hand separately. The use of the novel electromagnetic actuation system, locking mechanism, and spline nut and shaft configuration coupled with the single motor greatly reduces the weight, size and power usage of the prosthetic, increases functionality, minimizes noise, increases and speeds and forces, and orients the parts of the device in a manner that creates an aesthetically appealing design.