A locking device including a first frame including an insert hole and a first magnetic body, a second frame including an insert recess communicating with the insert hole, and a second magnetic body disposed to face the first magnetic body with a polarity opposite to a polarity of the first magnetic body, and an insert member including a slider inserted into the insert hole and configured to slide relative to the first frame, and a third magnetic body disposed on one side of the slider is provided.

A prosthetic or orthotic device has an elongate frame that houses electronics and an actuator rotatably mounted to the frame. The actuator can rotate in an anterior-posterior direction about a medial-lateral axis and includes magnetorheological (MR) fluid and a coil operable to selectively apply a magnetic field to the MR fluid to vary its viscosity and thereby vary a torsional resistance of the actuator about the medial-lateral axis. Circuitry controls an amplitude and a direction of a current applied to the coil. The circuitry can switch a direction of current passing through the coil, and to apply a reverse direction current pulse to the coil to reduce a time period over which a resistive torque of the actuator decreases to a baseline resistance amount.

A wrist device for a prosthetic limb is provided. The device (1) comprises a base member (3) connectable to the wearer of the device, and a support member (13) connectable to the limb. The support member (13) is pivotably connected to the base member (3) such that the support member can pivot about a pivot axis (A) relative to the base member. A damping mechanism is located between the base (3) member and the support member (5). The damping mechanism comprises a pinion (47) connected to the support member (5) and rotatable about the pivot axis (A) relative to the base member (3). A rack (35) is engaged with the pinion (47) such that rotational motion of the pinion causes a linear motion of the rack, and at least one biasing member (41) extends between the base member (3) and the rack. The biasing member (41) biases the rack (35) and support member (13) into a neutral position. A prosthetic limb incorporating the wrist device is also provided.

A system and method for a prosthetic assembly that includes a first prosthetic component, comprising a prosthetic hand base; a set of second prosthetic components, comprising a set of prosthetic fingers, and a set of actuating systems, wherein one actuating system connects a pair of distinct prosthetic components, enabling actuation of one prosthetic component with respect to the other. Each actuating system, from the set of actuating systems, includes a linkage and a sensored brushless motor; wherein the sensored brushless motor comprises a brushless motor, a field oriented control system, a rotary encoder, and a gearbox.

A prosthetic joint and a method of controlling dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the hydraulic prosthetic ankle joint. The method includes generating ground reaction forces with a hydraulic prosthetic ankle, wherein the prosthetic hydraulic ankle comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, and the ankle is connected to a prosthetic foot; rotating the prosthetic foot in response to the ground reaction force; transferring fluid between the forward and rear chambers in response to rotation of the foot; providing a feature to occlude or partially occlude the fluid transfer between chambers; providing a non-electronic mechanism for controlling the flow responsive to both a position of the joint and a rate of change of position of the joint, and wherein the mechanism is arranged such that a dwell at a particular joint location or locations will occlude the flow path.

A wrist device for a prosthetic limb is provided. The device (1) comprises a base member (3) connectable to the wearer of the device, and a support member (13) connectable to the limb. The support member (13) is pivotably connected to the base member (3) such that the support member can pivot about a pivot axis (A) relative to the base member. A damping mechanism is located between the base (3) member and the support member (5). The damping mechanism comprises a pinion (47) connected to the support member (5) and rotatable about the pivot axis (A) relative to the base member (3). A rack (35) is engaged with the pinion (47) such that rotational motion of the pinion causes a linear motion of the rack, and at least one biasing member (41) extends between the base member (3) and the rack. The biasing member (41) biases the rack (35) and support member (13) into a neutral position. A prosthetic limb incorporating the wrist device is also provided.

A magnetic and electrical interface that may be used with an assistive device. The interface comprises a proximal connector and a distal connector. The proximal connector may be attached to a liner for a residual limb and the distal connector may be attached to a hard socket or other aspect of an assistive device. Other aspects of and uses for the connector interface are also disclosed.

A prosthetic or orthotic device includes a body configured to support at least a portion of a human limb of a user wearing the prosthetic or orthotic device. The device can also include a shock absorption member coupled to the body. The shock absorption member includes one or more magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) springs disposed between a first portion of the body and a second portion of the body. The one or more MRE springs are selectively actuatable to vary a stiffness of the shock absorption member via the application of a magnetic flux, thereby adjusting a stiffness of the body of the prosthetic or orthotic device to a level corresponding to an activity level of the user.

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.

A prosthetic device. The prosthetic device may include a flexure cut and/or a sensor to detect movement in accordance with a degree of movement. In an embodiment, the sensor may be disposed within the flexure cut. Other embodiments include at least one wire configured to connect a sensor located in a distal portion to a proximal portion, while annularly traversing a joint.