Systems and methods for controlling an orthopedic joint device of a lower extremity, the orthopedic joint device comprising an upper part, a lower part mounted in articulated fashion to the upper part, and a conversion device arranged between the upper and lower parts. The conversion device provides for, during pivoting of the upper part relative to the lower part, mechanical work from a relative movement between the upper and lower parts to be converted and stored in at least one energy store and supplied back to the joint device with a time offset in order to assist the relative movement. The stored energy is converted back and the supply of mechanical work takes place in a controlled manner during the assistance of the relative movement.

An orthopedic joint device is provided, the device having an upper part, a lower part pivotably mounted thereon and an actuator fastened to the upper part and the lower part and having a drive shaft coupled to an output element via a force transmission device, the force transmission device having a load transmission element that can by adjusted depending on the load.

A double-helix weave architecture for an artificial muscle is described. The artificial muscle includes a number of microfluidic channels that are arranged into artificial muscles fibers, where each artificial muscle fiber includes two independent mutually-unconnected microfluidic channels that are entwined in a double helix weave and maintained at opposite electrical polarity.

A double-helix weave architecture for an artificial muscle is described. The artificial muscle includes a number of microfluidic channels that are arranged into artificial muscles fibers, where each artificial muscle fiber includes two independent mutually-unconnected microfluidic channels that are entwined in a double helix weave and maintained at opposite electrical polarity.

A prosthetic ankle and foot combination has an ankle joint mechanism constructed to allow damped rotational movement of a foot component relative to a shin component. The mechanism provides a continuous hydraulically damped range of ankle motion during walking with dynamically variable damping resistances, and with independent variation of damping resistances in the plantar-flexion and dorsi-flexion directions. An electronic control system coupled to the ankle joint mechanism includes at least one sensor for generating signals indicative of a kinetic or kinematic parameter of locomotion, the mechanism and the control system being arranged such that the damping resistances effective over the range of motion of the ankle are adapted automatically in response to such signals. Single and dual piston hydraulic damping arrangements are disclosed, including arrangements allowing independent heel-height adjustment.

A prosthetic limb includes: a socket as a thigh part; a thigh joint part provided on a side of the socket; a lower leg part coupled to the thigh joint part and provided to be rotatable around a knee shaft; a thigh part inclination angle acquisition unit that acquires an inclination angle Ψ formed by the socket relative to a vertical line passing through the knee shaft; and a rotational resistance control unit that weakens a rotational resistance of the knee shaft in accordance with a transition from a positive inclination angle formed when the socket is inclined rearward relative to the vertical line to a negative inclination angle formed when the socket is inclined forward relative to the vertical line.

A prosthetic limb includes: a socket as a thigh part; a thigh joint part provided on a side of the socket; a lower leg part coupled to the thigh joint part and provided to be rotatable around a knee shaft; a thigh part inclination angle acquisition unit that acquires an inclination angle Ψ formed by the socket relative to a vertical line passing through the knee shaft; and a rotational resistance control unit that weakens a rotational resistance of the knee shaft in accordance with a transition from a positive inclination angle formed when the socket is inclined rearward relative to the vertical line to a negative inclination angle formed when the socket is inclined forward relative to the vertical line.

A knee joint includes: a thigh connection portion that is provided on a thigh portion side; a lower leg portion that is connected to the thigh connection portion and rotatably provided around a knee shaft; a knee angle restrictor structured to restrict a relative rotation of the thigh connection portion and the lower leg portion such that a knee angle θ formed by the thigh connection portion with respect to the lower leg portion does not exceed a predetermined lock angle θ.sub.L; and an accommodation space that accommodates a rotational resistor applying resistance to the rotation around the knee shaft in a case where the knee angle θ is equal to or less than the lock angle θ.sub.L.

A hydraulic actuator for orthotics or prosthetics, comprising a control element with a housing, in which a cylinder is arranged, in which a piston is mounted so as to be movable and divides the cylinder into a flexion chamber and an extension chamber, a fluidic connection is arranged between the flexion chamber and the extension chamber, and in each of said chambers there is arranged a control valve for influencing the extension movement or flexion movement, a motorised pump being arranged in the fluidic connection, with the hydraulic fluid being conducted from one chamber to the pump through at least one control valve in an intake-side connection line, and a check valve being arranged in a delivery-side connection line from the pump to the other chamber and blocking a return flow of the pumped medium from this chamber to the pump against the conveying direction of the pump.

A hydraulic actuator for orthotics or prosthetics, comprising a control element with a housing, in which a cylinder is arranged, in which a piston is mounted so as to be movable and divides the cylinder into a flexion chamber and an extension chamber, a fluidic connection is arranged between the flexion chamber and the extension chamber, and in each of said chambers there is arranged a control valve for influencing the extension movement or flexion movement, a motorised pump being arranged in the fluidic connection, with the hydraulic fluid being conducted from one chamber to the pump through at least one control valve in an intake-side connection line, and a check valve being arranged in a delivery-side connection line from the pump to the other chamber and blocking a return flow of the pumped medium from this chamber to the pump against the conveying direction of the pump.