Features for prosthetic digits are described. The digits mimic natural fingers by having multiple articulating segments, for example three, that can rotate varying amounts. Actuation systems for the prosthetic digits may include a compact actuator that expands linearly to rotate the digit. Each digit may have its own actuator, which may be housed in the digit and/or the palm. A motor may rotate a leadscrew. The leadscrew may engage and move axially a housing or other member. Axial movement of the housing or member causes the proximal digit segment to pivot and thus the digit to articulate. In some embodiments, the leadscrew may rotate a wheel to actuate a tendon. An actuation tendon may cause a closing rotation of the digit segments, and a return tendon may cause an opening rotation.

A knee prosthesis or orthosis includes at least one moveable joint and a torque modulating unit. The torque modulating unit is configured to impose a controllable torque on the at least one moveable joint. The torque modulating unit includes at least one of a motor or brake. The at least one of the motor or brake is coupled to the at least one moveable joint via an electronically-controlled transmission. The electronically-controlled transmission is a two-speed transmission.

Features for prosthetic digits and actuation systems including transmission features for a worm wheel rotation by a lead screw. A keyed member such as a central axle is spring-biased and transmits rotation from the worm wheel to the digit while allowing for manual rotation of the digit without damaging the worm wheel or other components. In some embodiments, the digit may include a link having flexibility to cause rotation of the digit segments while absorbing shock or otherwise high rotational loads. The digit may include a single-sided drive mechanism, where the opposite side provides support in case of high lateral loads. The digit may include a motor and gearbox in parallel and connected mechanically via a transfer gearbox. The digit may include a variable speed and variable torque gearbox.

A variable gain impedance controller for use in a control system for controlling a motorized prosthetic or orthotic apparatus provided with a joint. The controller comprises a sensor input for receiving a signal indicative of an interaction between the apparatus and the ground, a torque sensor input for receiving a signal indicative of the torque at the joint, and a variable gain scheduler in communication with the sensor input to receive data therefrom thereby providing a variable torque gain. The variable gain impedance controller adjusts its control on the apparatus based on the variable torque gain and the indicated torque to increase the joint resistance to motion when the signal received from the sensor input indicates an interaction between the apparatus and the ground, and decrease the joint resistance to motion when the signal received from the sensor input indicates an absence of interaction between the apparatus and the ground.

A prosthetic appendage for attachment to an outer extremity of an amputated limb that is composed of modular elements fabricated by three-dimensional printing. In one embodiment the prosthetic appendage is a leg. The prosthetic leg includes a foot portion and a plurality of modular and three-dimensionally printed limb elements. One of the plurality of limb elements is pivotally coupled to the foot portion and another of the limb elements is configured at one end to receive the outer extremity of the amputated leg. In another embodiment of the present invention the prosthetic appendage is a hand. The prosthetic hand includes a wrist element with one end configured to receive the outer extremity of an amputated hand, a base portion attached to the wrist element and a plurality of modular and three-dimensionally printed finger elements selectively coupled to adjacent finger elements or the base to form prosthetic fingers.

The present disclosure provides for a device and method of control for an artificial prosthetic knee. A prosthetic knee according to the present disclosure relies on strictly passive means of providing support during weight bearing and supplements a resistive swing-phase mechanism with a small powered actuator. This actuator adds power to the knee, exclusively during swing phase, to improve swing-phase behavior. In particular, the knee still relies on the resistive swing-phase mechanism to provide nominal swing-phase knee motion, but supplements that motion as needed with the small powered actuator.

In an embodiment, a prosthetic leg including a modular knee element coupled to a modular ankle element. The modular knee element includes a knee motor rotatable about an axis of a shaft in the knee motor. The modular ankle element includes a drive portion coupled to a surface-contacting portion via a pylon having a top and bottom end. The top end is coupled to the drive portion and the bottom end is coupled to the surface-contacting portion. The drive portion includes an ankle motor coupled to a rotary series elastic actuator (RSEA) and a first pulley coupled to the RSEA. The surface-contacting portion includes a hinge and a second pulley with a belt engaging at least a portion of at least one of the first and second pulley, and a modular foot element coupled to the bottom of the hinge.

A prosthetic foot can include an attachment member, at least one first brace, at least one first flexible member, an unpowered actuator, at least one second brace, and at least one second flexible member. The attachment member can include a connector configured to connect the attachment member to a user or another prosthetic device. The at least one first brace can mount to the attachment member and the at least one first flexible member can connect to the attachment member by the at least one first brace such that a force between the ground and the attachment member can be supported by the at least one first flexible member. The unpowered actuator can mount to the attachment member and the at least one second brace can mounted to the actuator. The at least one second flexible member can connect to the attachment member by the at least one second brace such that a force between the ground and the attachment member can be supported by the at least one second flexible member.

Systems and methods for tuning a powered prosthesis are described herein. A system includes a powered prosthesis including a joint, a motor mechanically coupled to the joint, a plurality of sensors, a finite state machine, and an impedance controller. The sensors are configured to measure a plurality of gait parameters, and the finite state machine is configured to determine a gait cycle state. The impedance controller is configured to output a control signal for adjusting a torque of the motor, where the torque is adjusted as a function of the measured gait parameters and a plurality of impedance control parameters, and where the impedance control parameters are dependent on the gait cycle state. The system also includes a reinforcement learning controller operably connected to the powered prosthesis. The reinforcement learning controller is configured to tune the impedance control parameters to achieve a target gait characteristic using a training data set.

A robotic assembly control system is disclosed. The robotic assembly control system includes an exoskeleton apparatus adapted to be worn by a user, at least one robotic assembly, the at least one robotic assembly controlled by the user by way of the exoskeleton, and at least one mobile platform, the at least one mobile platform controlled by the user and wherein the at least one robotic assembly is attached to the at least one mobile platform.