A device and method for measuring prosthetic or orthotic slip is presented. An optical sensor device is attached to the prosthesis or orthosis and measures the amount of relative motion between the prosthetic socket and the residual limb surface or between the orthosis and the affected body part. The sensor device is comprised of an optical sensor, a light source, a processing unit and a power source contained within a housing. A system for measuring multidirectional prosthetic or orthotic slip using the sensor device and automatically adjusting the fit of the prosthetic based on a determined threshold is also presented.

A variable stiffness leaf spring mechanism and method of locking parallel leaf springs allow for a wide range of stiffness settings in a low-mass package. By varying the number of parallel leaf springs as well as the thickness and stiffness of each layer the system stiffness and range of stiffness settings can be optimally tuned to each application. Additionally, by locking leaf springs without inducing large normal forces from a clamping mechanism, the frictional wear on the system is greatly diminished. In addition to increasing the life cycles of the system, this will decrease auditory noise emitted during operation. The system and method can be applied to lower extremity prostheses to allow for more biological emulation than passive prostheses in a lower mass package than powered prostheses.

The invention relates to a method for configuring a controller of an orthopedic device, which has at least one data processing device (10), sensors (20) coupled thereto and an actuator (30) which is activated and/or deactivated by the data processing device (10), the controller having a basic function block (40), in which a basic functionality of the actuator (30) is defined, a plurality of additional function blocks (60), which have different additional functionalities, being provided to an interface device (50) from a memory (15) and at least one additional function block (60) being selected and added to the basic function block (40) by way of the interface device (50), there being an interface (46) between the basic function block (40) and the at least one additional function block (60), the compatibility of the functionalities being checked and an overall functionality being generated at said interface, an adjustment of at least one functionality being carried out to establish compatibility, or an inclusion of the additional functionality being rejected, in the case of lack of compatibility at the outset.

A tissue-prosthesis interface sensor system used to measure pressure values exerted across the surface of the limb. The system provides a high-speed method of measuring pressure values through sensors located on the surface of a wearer's skin.

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 disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a bidirectional biomechanical prosthetic finger assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an eccentric metacarpophalangeal (MCP) pivot configured for swivelable attachment to a hand of a user, a distal coupler, and an articulation assembly rotatively coupled therebetween. A ring configured to receive a user's residual finger is disposed upon the articulation assembly, and may be adjusted to a target location based on a length of the residual finger. The articulation assembly is configured to utilize vertical movements of the residual finger within the ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-z plane, and the MCP pivot is configured to utilize lateral movements of the residual finger within the ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-y plane. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Prosthetic devices allow for full articulation of the joint, while absorbing impact of the components during normal use that will reduce wear on the device components and prolong life. The device may include a bone implantable component and a bearing component having an articulation surface that is sized and shaped to substantially mate with at least a portion of the bone implantable component and a damping mechanism that includes a contact member disposed at least primarily inside a cavity; a biasing member biasing the contact member toward an upper aperture of the cavity and means for capturing the contact member within the cavity.

A device and method for managing a plurality of groups of socks where the device includes a plurality of pouches attached to one another and a patient education and compliance tool. Each group has at least one sock. Socks of each of the groups have different characteristics from one another. The groups of socks are adapted for use between a limb of a patent and a socket of a prosthetic device. Each pouch is adapted for securing at least one sock from a group. The method includes sorting the plurality of groups of socks according to the characteristic, associating each pouch with a respective one of the groups, and securing each group of socks within an associated pouch.

A prosthetic foot comprises an attachment member and two or more flexible members. The attachment member can include a connector configured to connect the attachment member to a user or another prosthetic device. The two or more flexible members can be rotatably attached to the attachment member by rotatable joints such that the flexible members can both rotate and flex relative to the attachment member when the prosthetic foot contacts the ground.