The present disclosure includes prosthetic devices, including implants for joints and external prosthetics. The prosthetic devices allow for full articulation of the joint, while absorbing impact of the components during normal use that will reduce wear on the device components and prolong life. The device may include a bone implantable component and a bearing component having an articulation surface that is sized and shaped to substantially mate with at least a portion of the bone implantable component and a damping mechanism that includes a contact member disposed at least primarily inside a cavity; a biasing member biasing the contact member toward an upper aperture of the cavity and means for capturing the contact member within the cavity.

An orthopedic device for the orthotic or prosthetic provision of a patient is provided. The orthopedic device includes a knee joint, which has a proximal upper part and a distal lower part arranged pivotably thereon, an ankle joint, a pivoted foot part which can be fastened distally to the ankle joint, and a shin part arranged between the ankle joint and the knee joint. The upper part of the knee joint or a thigh part fastened thereto that can be attached to the patient's body and is coupled with the foot part by means of a force transfer device, which causes a plantar flexion of the foot part when a knee is flexed.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a prosthesis or orthesis of the lower extremity, the prosthesis or orthesis comprising an upper part (10) and a lower part (20) which is connected to the upper part (10) via a knee joint and is mounted so as to be pivotable relative to the upper part (10) about a joint pin (15); wherein an adjustable resistance device (40) is situated between the upper part (10) and the lower part (20), by means of which resistance device a resistance (Rf) is modified on the basis of sensor data; wherein state information is detected by sensors, a cyclical movement different from walking is determined and the resistance (Rf) is adjusted to a low level during the cyclical movement; wherein determining the cyclical movement comprises the following steps: a. detecting the flexion angle (α.sub.K) and at least one absolute angle (αS) of the lower part (20) and/or the upper part (10) over at least one movement cycle, b. identifying the cyclical movement from the relative movement of the upper part (10) and the lower part (20) and the absolute movements of the upper part (10) and/or the lower part (20) in space.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a prosthesis or orthosis of the lower extremity, which prosthesis or orthosis has an upper part (10) and a lower part (20), which lower part is connected to the upper part (10) by means of a knee joint (1) and is mounted for pivoting relative to the upper part (10) about a joint shaft (15); wherein an adjustable resistance device (40) is disposed between the upper part (10) and the lower part (20), by means of which resistance device a flexion resistance (Rf) is changed on the basis of sensor data; wherein an axial force (FA) acting on the lower part is sensed by at least one sensor (54) and is used as the basis for a change of the flexion resistance (Rf); wherein, in the case of decreasing axial force (FA) and/or an approximately vertical position of a leg tendon (70) and/or of an extended knee joint (1), the flexion resistance (Rf) is reduced; and wherein the flexion resistance (Rf) is increased again if, within a temporally defined interval, no knee flexion is detected and/or the knee joint (1) and/or the leg tendon (70) and/or the axial force (FA) fall below or exceed specific limit values.

Prosthetic devices allow for full articulation of the joint, while absorbing impact of the components during normal use that will reduce wear on the device components and prolong life. The device may include a bone implantable component and a bearing component having an articulation surface that is sized and shaped to substantially mate with at least a portion of the bone implantable component and a damping mechanism that includes a contact member disposed at least primarily inside a cavity; a biasing member biasing the contact member toward an upper aperture of the cavity and means for capturing the contact member within the cavity.

An orthopedic device with a hydraulic damping device, a valve with a valve seat and a valve body that is subjected to a closing force. The closing force is applied via a valve spring that is pre-loaded towards the valve seat. A fluid connection between the hydraulic damping device and the valve seat is provided. The valve features an adjustment device for adjusting the preload of the valve spring.

A prosthetic joint can include a first attachment member and a second attachment member coupled to the first attachment member. The second attachment member can include a cylindrical chamber. The prosthetic joint can include a fixation system disposed within the cylindrical chamber comprising at least one cam. The prosthetic joint can have an unlocked configuration, wherein in the unlocked configuration the first attachment member and the second attachment member can rotate relative to each other. The prosthetic joint can have a locked configuration, wherein in the locked configuration the first attachment member is substantially prevented from rotating relative to the second attachment member.

A prosthetic leg knee joint includes a thigh connection part that is provided on the thigh side, a lower leg part that is provided rotatably around a knee shaft connected to the thigh connection part, a four-bar link mechanism that sets an instant center S whose relative position with respect to the thigh connection part is substantially constant regardless of the relative position between the thigh connection part and the lower leg part, and a braking unit that brakes the movement of the lower leg part in accordance with the relative position between the instance center S set by the four-bar link mechanism and the lower leg part.

A frame module includes a frame configured to enclose a portion of a user, and at least one reinforcement belt of which both end portions are connected to both sides of the frame, thereby restricting a splaying level of the frame in a predetermined direction.

A thermally responsive shape memory polymer (SMP) actuator includes a body having at least one non-linear segment arranged between first and second ends, with the body comprising a plurality of dots, rods, or layers of SMP material. The SMP material my include a linear aliphatic thermoplastic polyester and at least one other polymer. The non-linear segment may have a substantially flat zig-zag shape arranged between first and second substantially straight segments. A prosthetic device may include multiple thermally responsive shape memory actuators and a movable joint arranged between structural members having anchors associated therewith. At least one first SMP actuator provides pivotal movement in a first direction, and at least one second SMP actuator provides pivotal movement in a second direction. Methods for forming SMP actuators include body formation by additive manufacturing, heating the body to a glass transition temperature range while applying tension, and cooling the body.