A movable joint for use in a prosthetic or orthopedic system includes first and second joint sections arranged to rotate relative to one another. At least one shaft member is attached to and arranged to rotate relative to the first or second joint sections. A translating member is attached to the at least one shaft member. Translation of the translating member along a length of the at least one shaft member drives rotation of at least the first joint section and the second joint section.

The invention relates to an orthopedic joint with a first component, a second component that is arranged on the first component such that it can be swiveled about a swivel axis, and at least one damper that is configured and arranged to damp a swiveling of the first component relative to the second component, and an actuator for swiveling the first component relative to the second component in at least one direction. According to the invention, the actuator is arranged on the first component or the second component on a medial or lateral side such that it can be detached.

A prosthetic elbow includes a fixed member structure and a powered gearbox mechanism housed in a housing structure for rotating the forearm portion to varying angular positions. The powered gearbox mechanism includes a motor attached to the housing structure, a planetary frictional drive connected to a motor shaft of the motor and the housing structure, and a strain wave gear set having an input driven by the planetary fictional drive and an output attached to the fixed member structure, where the powered gearbox mechanism is configured to convert an output of the motor into a rotation of the housing structure relative to the fixed member structure, thereby causing the rotation of the forearm portion to varying angular positions relative to the upper arm. The fixed member structure and the housing structure each are connected to one of a forearm portion and an upper arm portion and rotatable relative to one another about an axis of rotation of the forearm portion.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a powered prosthesis. In one embodiment, the powered prosthesis may include a first joint actuator; a second joint actuator; a connector to connect the first joint actuator with the second joint actuator; and a power source connected with both the first and second joint actuator; wherein the first joint actuator and the second joint actuator are both at least backdrivable and configured such that when one of the first or second joint actuator is drawing power from the power source, the other of the first or second joint actuator may be generating power for the power source. In some embodiments, the first motor is at least a high output torque motor. In other embodiments, the second motor is at least a high output torque motor.

A prosthesis device having a tension element fastened to a tensile force brace, which drives a movable component of a prosthesis device upon applying a tension force, wherein a sensor device is allocated to the tension element which detects the actuation of the tension element and activates a motor allocated to the movable component.

The present disclosure is directed to a compact wrist rotator and flexor mechanism for use with a prosthetic hand. The wrist rotator and flexor uses a set of motors to provide a driven mechanism having two degrees of freedom, a wrist rotation and a wrist flexion. The rotator uses a motor with an inverted shaft gearbox combined with a worm gear and a face gear transmission to generate continuous and non-backdrivable rotation. The rotator is integrated into a flexor that uses a lead screw acting as a linear actuator to provide strong non-backdrivable flexion and extension. Due to the arrangement of the drives, the resulting wrist rotator and flexor mechanism has a low and compact profile.

A rotary drive member drives a driven member. A ring surrounding the driven member has two cam recesses containing lock members between cam surfaces of cam recesses and the ring. Each recess accommodates an associated lock member at different locations where the recess is shallower. Driving the driven member is permitted in a given rotation relative to the ring, but each lock member inhibits rotation of the driven member in the opposite sense. The recesses extend in opposite directions. Coupling between the driven members is free-play whereby reversal in the rotation disengages members and reengages. Protuberances extending into cam recesses retain a lock member associated with one recess at the deeper location permitting movement of the other lock member towards the shallower location. Upon reversal of the rotation, the protuberances retain another lock member at the deeper location permitting movement of one lock member.

Features for a prosthetic digit actuator. The various systems and methods allow for smaller volume actuators, which in turn allows for smaller digits and/or more space for other features of the digit. The actuator includes a motor that causes rotation of a worm gear along a fixed worm wheel. The worm gear is unibody with the output shaft. The worm gear climbs along the worm wheel to cause rotation of a digit or digit segment. The arrangement of the actuator parts allows for transmitting axial forces in first and second directions corresponding respectively to performing opening and closing rotations of the digits.

An adjustable counterbalance mechanism for a prosthetic elbow includes a torsional spring disposed in a housing structure coaxially to an axis of rotation of a forearm portion and a cord and pulley arrangement which includes a first pulley, a second pulley and a link member attached to a fixed member structure. The first pulley is attached to a second portion of the spring and connected to the second pulley by a first cord. The second pulley is pivotally attached to the housing structure and connected to the link member by a second cord. The cord and pulley arrangement is configured to transfer a moment of force due to spring force to the forearm portion to counteract the torque of a forearm due to gravity as the angle of the forearm portion changes relative to the upper arm portion.

A motion assistance apparatus including a proximal frame configured to support a proximal part of a user, a distal frame configured to support a distal part of the user, and a force transmitting member slidably connected to the proximal frame, and rotatably connected to the distal frame is provided.