The present application describes a mechanical hand (100) comprising a plurality of finger assemblies (102) each selectively moveable by a respective finger drive assembly about a finger pivot axis along a finger flexion/extension plane and between a finger open position and a finger closed position; a thumb assembly (104) selectively rotatable by a first thumb drive assembly about a first thumb axis between an opposed position and a non-opposed position with respect to the finger assemblies, and selectively moveable by a second thumb drive assembly about a second thumb axis along a thumb flexion/extension plane and between a thumb open position and a thumb closed position; a controller operatively coupled to the finger and thumb drive assemblies; and a selector operatively coupled to the controller for selecting a desired thumb rotational position or a desired grip to be defined by the finger assemblies and the thumb assembly. A method of operating a mechanical hand is also described.

The present application describes a prosthetic or robot part (500), comprising at least one phalange member (532) pivotally coupled to a base (509) at a pivot axis; and a drive assembly to selectively move the phalange member about the pivot axis along a flexion/extension plane between an open position and a closed position, said drive assembly comprising a drive element (512) coupled to an actuator (506) and a driven element (514) coupled to the phalange member; wherein the driven element (514) is decouplable from the drive element (512) when the phalange member is caused to move in a first rotational direction about the pivot axis by an external force.

A high torque active mechanism for an orthotic and/or prosthetic joint using a primary brake which can be provide by magnetorheological (MR) rotational damper incorporating and an additional friction brake mechanism driven by the braking force generated by the MR damper. This combination of MR damper and friction brake mechanism allows an increase in torque density while keeping the same level of motion control offered by the MR damper alone. The increased torque density achieved by this high torque active mechanism allows to minimize the size of the actuating system, i.e. its diameter and/or breath, while maximizing its braking torque capability. In this regard, the friction brake mechanism is advantageously positioned around the MR damper, such that the dimension of the package is minimized.

A prosthetic knee provides security and stability, particularly to low activity users, household and limited community ambulators, single and/or slow speed ambulators, and those with little voluntary control, while also balancing walking (dynamic) performance for low activity users. The prosthetic knee includes a housing, parallel anterior links, a posterior link, and a chassis. The geometry of the links and their relationship to one another allow for low voluntary control, shortening of mid-swing, which reduces stumbling risk, and geometric stability in stance. The anterior links are particularly oriented, sized and located to provide for stability. The anterior links both extend above the posterior link and substantially below the posterior link. The prosthetic knee includes a locking mechanism arranged to arrest movement of the posterior link. The knee including a locking mechanism connected to the housing and arranged to block rotation of the posterior link. The locking mechanism is a spring loaded latch including a pair of elongate springs extending downwardly from the latch to the housing and being connected to the housing below the upper pivot point of the posterior link and to a pin engaging the forward end of the latch.

A method and apparatus for enhancing the operation of leg prothesis is provided. The apparatus includes a cable configured to be attached to the leg prosthesis worn by a subject to move through a plurality of gait phases. The apparatus also includes a module configured to be mounted to the leg prosthesis. The module includes a tension spring configured to engage the cable to maintain tension in the cable. The module also includes a locking mechanism configured to lock a position of the tension spring and maintain a length of the cable defined between the module and the leg prosthesis during at least one first gait phase of the plurality of gait phases. The locking mechanism is further configured to unlock the position of the tension spring to permit variation of the length of the cable during at least one second gait phase of the plurality of gait phases.

Transfemoral rotator. The transfemoral rotator includes an inner cylinder that nests within a cavity of a base shell. A spring clip mechanism operated by a push button serves to lock and unlock the transfemoral rotator to allow sitting cross-legged.

A prosthetic knee includes a housing, a chassis, and a brake member pivotally connected to the housing at a first location point and to the chassis at a second location point. A knee shaft extends through the brake member and is secured within a cavity defined by the housing. An extension assist system includes a biasing mechanism located inside of the chassis and an extension assist link. The extension assist link includes a body portion operatively connected to the biasing mechanism and a pair of arm portions situated in at least one slot defined by the knee shaft. The arm portions are pivotally connected to the knee shaft at a third location point located a distance from the first location point.

A body-powered articulated prosthetic hand where each of the segments of the digits, the palmer plate, the thumb pivot plate and the wrist are individually sizeable. This allows for both a proportionately scalable hand as well as individual customization of geometric configurations tailored to specific use patterns. The hand is crushable since it has flexible and pivotable connections between digits along the length and width of the hand. 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. Fingers 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.

A system for joining a limb liner to a prosthesis. The prosthesis has a socket that is joined to the remainder of the prosthesis using a hub assembly. The hub assembly includes a first hub and a second hub. The first hub is disposed within the interior of the socket. The second hub is disposed outside the interior of the socket. An air conduit extends through the hub assembly that enables air to be drawn into the socket and/or vented from the socket. An inflatable interface is disposed within the socket. The inflatable interface receives air through the air conduit in the hub assembly. The inflatable interface is capable of filling any gaps that may exist between a limb liner being worn by an amputee and the socket.

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.