A method of mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion utilizes a mechanical spring in combination with a rapid-action variable inductance magnetic flux switch to convert a spring-loaded mechanical energy into a change in magnetic flux captured by an electrical coil element within the magnetic flux switch. The change in coil inductance and magnetic flux induces a current to flow through the electrical coil in the form of a a pulse of electrical energy that may be stored. The electrical coil is coupled to the mechanical spring so that each time the spring is released, the coil moves with respect to a magnetic core and a change in flux is created. The application of an external mechanical force (such as human locomotion) functions to compress and subsequently unlock the mechanical switch, allowing for the electrical energy associated with the application of aperiodic forces to be harvested.

A method and apparatus for enhancing the operation of leg prosthesis is provided. The apparatus includes a core configured to be attached between a first portion and a second portion of the leg prosthesis. The first portion is configured to move relative to the second portion in a first plane. The core is configured to be moved from a first position to a second position relative to the leg prosthesis such that a stiffness of the core in the first plane is varied from a first stiffness to a second stiffness. The method includes the step of attaching the core between the first portion and the second portion of the leg prosthesis. The method further includes moving the first portion relative to the second portion in a first plane. The method further includes moving the core with a motor from a first position to a second position relative to the leg prosthesis such that a stiffness of the core in the first plane varies from a first stiffness to a second stiffness.

The invention relates to a thigh prosthetic component for connecting to a thigh shaft, having a knee joint that can be pivoted between a stance position and a swing position and has a proximal knee joint upper part and a distal knee joint lower part which are connected by a ventral articulated arm and a dorsal articulated arm, wherein the ventral articulated arm is articulated to the proximal knee joint upper part via a ventral, upper knee joint axis, and is articulated to the distal knee joint lower part via a ventral lower knee joint axis, and the dorsal articulated arm is articulated to the proximal knee joint upper part via a dorsal, upper knee joint axis, and is articulated to the distal knee joint lower part via a dorsal lower knee joint axis, and an ankle for the pivotable connection of a foot part to a lower leg unit connected to the knee joint. To provide a thigh prosthetic component that enables a natural gait pattern and is more energy-efficient and stable for the patient, it is provided that the lower leg unit has a ventral connecting element and dorsal connecting element designed to transmit thrust and traction, wherein the ventral connecting element is pivoted at one end to the foot part by a ventral ankle axis and at the other end to the distal knee joint lower part, and the dorsal connecting element is articulated at one end to the foot part by a dorsal ankle axis and at the other end to the proximal knee joint upper part and the dorsal articulated arm by the dorsal upper knee joint axis such that an adjustment of the knee joint from the stance position into the swing position causes a dorsal extension of the foot part.

Systems and methods for creating custom-fit prosthetic devices, orthotic devices, and related medical devices via three-dimensional printing (3D printing) or additive manufacturing techniques are described. Through the described systems and methods, a residual limb or other body part of a patient is scanned and analyzed to determine measurements and characteristics of the residual limb. The measurements and characteristics of the residual limb are used to design a customized device for the residual limb. The customized device uses multiple different materials. For example, the customized device may use a first material for a frame and a second material for a liner, wherein the first material is more rigid than the second material. The customized device is fabricated using a three-dimensional printer that is capable of printing and bonding multiple different materials at the same time.

A prosthesis cosmetic element for a prosthesis comprising a prosthesis joint which has an upper part and a lower part that is mounted thereon in a pivotal manner about a pivot axis, the prosthesis cosmetic element has a first frame part, which has at least one first securing device for fixing on the lower part, and a second frame part with at least one second securing device for securing on the upper part. The frame parts are mounted in a pivotal manner relative to each other, and the prosthesis joint is equipped with a rotational element on which an actuating element is arranged. The actuating element is accessible from the outside by a frame part or through a frame part.

A thigh prosthetic component for connecting to a thigh shaft. The component includes a pivotable knee joint and an upper part and a lower part connected by ventral and dorsal arms. The ventral arm is articulated to the upper part and to the lower part via distinct axes. The dorsal arm is articulated to the upper part and to the lower part via distinct axes. The component further includes an ankle pivotably connecting a foot part to a lower leg unit connected to the knee joint. The lower leg unit has ventral and dorsal connecting elements transmitting thrust and traction. The ventral connecting element is pivoted to the foot part and to the lower part. The dorsal connecting element is articulated to the foot part and to the upper part and the dorsal articulated arm such that an adjustment of the knee joint from stance to swing positions causes a dorsal extension of the foot part.

An ankle prosthesis comprises a foot prosthesis. A lower ankle is pivotably secured to the foot prosthesis at an ankle joint. An upper ankle is connected to the lower ankle in a manner that permits vertical movement of the upper ankle relative to the lower ankle. A coupling spring is biased in an extended condition. The coupling spring is connected at a first end to the upper ankle. A second end of the coupling spring is movable in a first condition which is engaged to the lower ankle and in a second condition engaged to the foot prosthesis. Energy is stored in compression of the coupling spring when the coupling spring is in the first condition and energy is released from the coupling spring when the coupling spring is in the second condition.

A vertical suspension system for a prosthetic foot includes a first member operatively coupleable to an amputee's residual leg. The suspension system can also include a second member coupleable to a prosthetic foot. One or more upper leaf springs and one or more lower leaf springs extend between and are attached to the first and second members such that at least one of the ends of each leaf spring is rotationally fixed to the first or second members, where the upper an lower leaf springs are spaced apart from each other.

An assistance device is described to assist a joint motion of a lower limb. The assistance device includes a driving part, an elastic part, and a crank mechanism. The driving part includes a motor and a transmission mechanism to change a speed of the motor and converts a rotational motion of the motor into a linear motion. The elastic part includes at least: a series spring provided in series between the transmission mechanism and the crank mechanism, a first parallel spring provided between the driving part and the ankle part, and a second parallel spring provided between the ankle part and the foot part. The crank mechanism is provided between the driving part and the foot part and converts the linear motion to a rotational motion while changing a deceleration coefficient according to an ankle angle.

Prosthetic feet that provide improved rollover and performance are provided. A prosthetic foot can include a lower foot member extending from a heel end to a toe end, a second foot member disposed above the lower foot member, and an optional third foot member disposed above the second foot member. The second foot member is tapered such that its thickness decreases toward the proximal end. Optionally, the second foot member can taper toward its distal end as well as toward its proximal end from an intermediate location on the second foot member. The third foot member can be tapered such that its thickness decreases toward the distal end. There can be a gap between a distal end of the third foot member and the second foot member that closes during dorsiflexion of the prosthetic foot during use and provides dynamic stiffness control to the prosthetic foot.