The invention relates to a method for controlling an artificial orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, on which a lower leg component is arranged and which is assigned a resistance device having at least one actuator, by means of which the bending resistance is modified depending on sensor data that is determined during use of the orthotic or prosthetic knee joint by means of a sensor, wherein the absolute angle of the lower leg component is determined exclusively by means of at least one inertial sensor, the angle determined is compared with at least one threshold value, and the bending Resistance is modified when the threshold value is reached.

A method for controlling an artificial orthotic or prosthetic joint of a lower extremity with a resistance unit to which at least one actuator is associated, via which the bending and/or stretching resistance is changed depending on sensor data. During the use of the joint, status information is provided via sensors. A device for carrying out such a method provides bending resistance that is increased or not lowered in the standing phase, when an inertial angle of a lower leg part is decreasing relative to a vertical direction and a front foot under pressure at the same time are identified.

A prosthetic ankle has an ankle joint body (10A) constituting a shin component and a foot component (12). The ankle joint body (10A) is pivotally connected to the foot component (12) by a first pivotal connection (14) defining a medial-lateral ankle joint flexion axis. The ankle joint body (10A) also forms the cylinder of an ankle joint piston and cylinder assembly with a superior-inferior central axis, the cylinder housing a piston (16) with upper and lower piston rods (16A, 16B). The lower piston rod (16B) is pivotally connected to the foot component (12) at a second pivotal connection (18). As the ankle joint body (10A) pivots about the ankle joint flexion axis, the piston (16) moves substantially linearly in the cylinder formed by the ankle joint body. The cylinder is divided into upper and lower chambers (20A, 20B). These chambers are linked by an hydraulic circuit (22) incorporating passages (22A, 22B) in the ankle joint body (10A), and an energy conversion device in the form of a slave piston and cylinder assembly (24) having a piston (24P) and piston rods (24R) which project beyond the cylinder (24C) of the assembly (24).

The invention relates to a method for operating an orthopedic device, which supports a first body part of a wearer and has at least one controllable actuator, wherein the method includes a) determining a chronological progression of at least one parameter, which allows a conclusion to be drawn regarding a state of motion of the wearer, from measurement values of at least one sensor, b) detecting the state of motion from the at least one determined chronological progression and c) controlling the at least one controllable actuator depending on the detected state of motion, wherein, for detecting the state of motion, at least the chronological progression of at least one parameter of a second body part of the wearer is also used.

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 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 be enclosed in a waterproof compartment. An outer cover can be configured to fit around the waterproof cover of the prosthetic knee.

A hydraulic actuator includes a housing and with a chamber, which is arranged or formed in the housing and in which a piston is mounted movably and divides the chamber into a flexion chamber and an extension chamber. A channel for hydraulic fluid leads from the flexion chamber and the extension chamber into the housing in order to produce a fluidic connection between the flexion chamber and the extension chamber. At least one valve is arranged in the fluidic connection. The channels lead from the housing to a valve block in which the at least one valve is arranged and is fluidically coupled to the channels, and the valve block is connected to the housing.

An artificial foot and ankle joint consists of a curved leaf spring foot member having a heel extremity and a toe extremity, and a flexible elastic ankle member that connects the foot member for rotation at the ankle joint. An actuator motor applies torque to the ankle joint to orient the foot when it is not in contact with the support surface and to store energy in a catapult spring that is released along with the energy stored in the leaf spring to propel the wearer forward. A ribbon clutch prevents the foot member from rotating in one direction beyond a predetermined limit position. A controllable damper is employed to lock the ankle joint or to absorb mechanical energy as needed. The controller and sensing mechanisms control both the actuator motor and the controllable damper at different times during the walking cycle for level walking, stair ascent, and stair descent.

A powered ankle-foot prosthesis, capable of providing human-like power at terminal stance that increase amputees metabolic walking economy compared to a conventional passive-elastic prosthesis. The powered prosthesis comprises a unidirectional spring, configured in parallel with a force-controllable actuator with series elasticity. The prosthesis is controlled to deliver the high mechanical power and net positive work observed in normal human walking.

The invention relates to a prosthetic device for a lower extremity having a prosthetic knee joint having: an upper part, on which a proximal prosthetic component is arranged; a lower part, which is connected to the upper part so as to be pivotable about a knee joint axis; and a distal prosthetic component, on which a prosthetic foot is formed or can be attached, wherein the distal prosthetic component is mounted so as to be displaceable in the direction of the knee joint axis by means of an axial force acting in the longitudinal extent of the distal prosthetic component and a force transmission device is associated with the knee joint, which force transmission device, during the standing phase, converts a displacement or length change of the distal prosthetic component in the direction of the knee joint axis into a flexion moment about the knee joint axis.