Powered limb prostheses with multi-stage transmissions are provided.

A prosthetic attachment system includes an insert arranged for connection to a prosthetic liner, and an attachment unit arranged for connection to a distal end of a prosthetic socket. The attachment unit comprises a body defining an axis and a central opening for selectively receiving the insert. The body carries a plurality of locking elements that are distributed circumferentially about the axis and radially repositionable relative to the axis. A release mechanism is slidably positioned on an outer surface of the body to move the prosthetic attachment system between a locked configuration in which the locking elements are radially repositioned to lock the insert in the central opening of the body and an unlocked configuration in which the insert is released from the central opening.

The present invention teaches a shock and torsion absorber that includes a base member having an accommodation space and an exhaust opening, a cushion member joined to a bottom end of the base member, a limit member including a positioning element and a seal element, and a joint member having an intake element, a trough, and a axial channel. A piston is housed in the joint member. The axial channel allows a shaft to thread through via the positioning element and to join with the shaft limit element. A bottom end of the positioning element is connected to the cushion member. The piston is connected to a top end of the positioning element. An upper vacuum chamber is formed above the seal element in the joint member. A lower vacuum chamber is formed beneath the piston and the seal element.

The present invention teaches a shock and torsion absorber that includes a base member having an accommodation space and an exhaust opening, a cushion member joined to a bottom end of the base member, a limit member including a positioning element and a seal element, and a joint member having an intake element, a trough, and a axial channel. A piston is housed in the joint member. The axial channel allows a shaft to thread through via the positioning element and to join with the shaft limit element. A bottom end of the positioning element is connected to the cushion member. The piston is connected to a top end of the positioning element. An upper vacuum chamber is formed above the seal element in the joint member. A lower vacuum chamber is formed beneath the piston and the seal element.

A prosthesis for a residual limb includes an element for receiving a stump fitted on or established by a support part, a distal prosthetic part, and an absorbing system. The distal prosthetic part is assembled on the support part by a pivot link forming a joint to enable flexion or extension of the distal prosthetic part with respect to the element for receiving. The absorbing system absorbs the flexion or extension efforts and is connected to the distal prosthetic part and to one of a rod or a lever that is pivotally fitted on the distal prosthetic device. The rod is mounted to the lever and to the support part.

A prosthetic foot cover for a prosthetic foot having a sagittal plane and a plantar surface including a first cover component having a first internal cavity and being adapted to receive and cover a first portion of the prosthetic foot, a second cover component having a second internal cavity and being adapted to receive and cover a second portion of the prosthetic foot, and a means for detachably attaching the first cover component and the second cover component to the prosthetic foot. The first internal cavity has a first internal cavity contacting surface that directly contacts the first portion of the prosthetic foot, and the second internal cavity has a second internal cavity contacting surface that directly contacts the second portion of the prosthetic foot. A method for installing the prosthetic foot cover on the prosthetic foot.

A prosthetic attachment system includes an insert arranged for connection to a prosthetic liner, and an attachment unit arranged for connection to a distal end of a prosthetic socket. The attachment unit comprises a body defining an axis and a central opening for selectively receiving the insert. The body carries a plurality of locking elements that are distributed circumferentially about the axis and radially repositionable relative to the axis. A release mechanism is slidably positioned on an outer surface of the body to move the prosthetic attachment system between a locked configuration in which the locking elements are radially repositioned to lock the insert in the central opening of the body and an unlocked configuration in which the insert is released from the central opening.

A system and method of construction based on rods and coils, that includes multiple parts comprising: distinct apparatuses, one or more coil joints, a coil body, and one or more coil spines; wherein any combination of the above parts can result in a variety of distinct structures; wherein the coil joint has 360 degree rotation; wherein the rotation can be limited to simulate other types of joints; wherein this coil joint can be combined with other joint styles to create hybrid styles; wherein there are 2 bias actions, one is an extending action and the other is a contracting action; wherein the action of the coil results in a more life-like motion than not using the coil; wherein the coil body has a flexible shape that can be locked into place; wherein the coil body has a high strength to weight ratio, which leads to high dimensional stability; wherein there is also hollow space for storage and transport of a package inside of the coil body; wherein the coil spine simulates the spines of living beings; wherein the coil spine is a flexible yet robust structure.

A system and method of construction based on rods and coils that can create a mechanical hand; wherein the coil joints function as the equivalent to human joints; wherein there are rods that function as the equivalent to human bones; wherein the coil joints create a dampening effect that simulates the dampening effect in human hands; wherein there are coil bodies of the hand, that are used for transport and storage; wherein the fingers of the artificial hand can be replaced with tools that are of a similar size and not excessive weight; wherein the coil joints can be modified to simulate various human joints; where there is a bias in all coils and coil joints; wherein the bias of the coil joints increases the ability of the artificial hand to grasp; wherein the bias of the coil joint functions as tendon tension; wherein the bias of all the coils results in more life-like motion; wherein movement of the finger can be performed with a single wire opposing the bias of the coil; wherein the artificial hand can have autonomous motion by utilizing an actuator system.

A prosthetic system includes a prosthetic knee having a controller and a hydraulic unit pivotally connected to the controller. The hydraulic includes a reserve hydraulic cylinder, a brake hydraulic cylinder, and a hydraulic cylinder having a lower hydraulic compartment. A flow system fluidly connects the hydraulic cylinder, the reserve hydraulic cylinder, and the brake cylinder. The flow system has first and second flow paths in communication with the lower hydraulic compartment and the reserve hydraulic cylinder. The first flow path is in communication with lower hydraulic compartment and the reserve hydraulic cylinder via the brake cylinder. The second flow path bypasses the brake hydraulic cylinder.

Hybrid terrain-adaptive lower-extremity apparatus and methods that perform in a variety of different situations by detecting the terrain that is being traversed, and adapting to the detected terrain. In some embodiments, the ability to control the apparatus for each of these situations builds upon five basic capabilities: (1) determining the activity being performed; (2) dynamically controlling the characteristics of the apparatus based on the activity that is being performed; (3) dynamically driving the apparatus based on the activity that is being performed; (4) determining terrain texture irregularities (e.g., how sticky is the terrain, how slippery is the terrain, is the terrain coarse or smooth, does the terrain have any obstructions, such as rocks) and (5) a mechanical design of the apparatus that can respond to the dynamic control and dynamic drive.