A disarticulated compression socket configured to secure a residual limb. The disarticulated compression socket may include a rigid socket frame having one or more compression apertures each having one or more disarticulated compression inserts. Each disarticulated compression insert may be coupled with, and responsive to, a compression actuator configured to adjust the disarticulated compression insert individually, or in concert. In one preferred embodiment, at least one compression actuator may be coupled with one, or a plurality of disarticulated compression inserts and further configured to retract and/or expand the coupled disarticulated compression inserts securing the residual limb within said socket frame. Control of the compression actuators may be manual or automatic in response to a signal from a sensor.

Additional embodiments may also include one or more lateral release channels configured to accommodate soft tissue expansion of the residual limb as it is compressed and/or secured within the socket frame.

A prosthetic includes a pair of prosthetic members movably coupled together to allow movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another. A hydraulic actuator or damper including hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic chamber is coupled to one of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic piston is movably disposed in the hydraulic chamber and coupled to another of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic flow channel is fluidly coupled between opposite sides of the chamber to allow hydraulic fluid to move between the opposite sides of the chamber as the hydraulic piston moves therein. A voice coil valve is coupled to the hydraulic flow channel to vary resistance to flow of hydraulic fluid through the flow channel, and thus movement of the piston in the chamber, and thus influencing a rate of movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another.

A unibody (e.g., seamless single-piece, monolithic) cylinder for a prosthetic knee defines a hydraulic cylinder in which a piston travels, defines fluid pathways for a hydraulic fluid, and defines bores that house embedded gearmotors and valves operable to actively control a damping rate of flexion and extension of the prosthetic knee. The unibody cylinder also houses sensors and electronics (e.g., circuit board) and cabling connecting them to the gearmotors. The unibody cylinder minimizing surfaces or junctions that come into contact with the hydraulic fluid to reduce sealing requirements, inhibit (e.g., prevent) hydraulic leaks and facilitate waterproofing of the unibody cylinder.

A hydraulic valve assembly includes a valve core with one or more valve core ports, the valve core rotatably housed in a valve sleeve having one or more valve sleeve ports. A hydraulic resistance of the hydraulic valve assembly varies approximately linearly with a change in valve position caused by rotating the valve core relative to the valve sleeve to vary an alignment between the one or more valve core ports and one or more valve sleeve ports. The valve assembly optionally includes a motor coupler and a gearmotor, the gearmotor operable to rotate the valve core relative to the valve sleeve via the motor coupler.

A prosthetic device includes an articular actuator assembly including a reduction gearbox that includes an actuating part connected to an output of the reduction gearbox and an actuated part integral with a distal portion of the prosthetic device. The actuating part and the actuated part are provided with abutment and reciprocal fitting. The abutment surfaces are provided on at least one protrusion of the actuating part and on at least one protrusion of the actuated part. In a decoupled condition the protrusion of the actuating part is positioned angularly, spaced from the protrusion of the actuated part and constitutes an end stop for the extension of the distal portion and allows free flexion of the distal portion. In a coupled condition the protrusions are in abutment with each other and actuate the relative rotation of the distal portion with respect to a proximal portion of the prosthetic device in extension.

A prosthesis or orthosis has a first body and a second body rotatable relative to one another, a passive mechanical converting mechanism with a third body arranged movably with respect to the first body, and an elastic element arranged between the third and the second body. The mechanical converting mechanism is configured for converting an angular change between the first body and the second body into a change of load on the elastic element. There is further provided a ratio adapting device interacting with the converting mechanism and configured for modifying the conversion ratio by which the change of load on the elastic element is performed.

A prosthetic ankle includes a pair of prosthetic members movably coupled together to allow movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another. A hydraulic actuator or damper including hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic chamber is coupled to one of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic piston is movably disposed in the hydraulic chamber and coupled to another of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic flow channel is fluidly coupled between opposite sides of the chamber to allow hydraulic fluid to move between the opposite sides of the chamber as the hydraulic piston moves therein. A voice coil valve is coupled to the hydraulic flow channel to vary resistance to flow of hydraulic fluid through the flow channel, and thus movement of the piston in the chamber, and thus influencing a rate of movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another.

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).

A prosthetic device control apparatus includes at least one sensor worn by a user. The sensor(s) determines a user's movement. A control module is in communication with the sensor(s). The control module communicates movement information to a prosthetic. A method for controlling a prosthetic device includes sensing a user's movement, communicating the movement through a control module to a prosthetic device; and controlling the movement of a prosthetic device.

A method for controlling an orthopedic joint of a lower extremity in at least one degree of freedom by means of an adjustable actuator for adjusting an orthopedic apparatus to walking situations that differ from walking on a plane. The orthopedic apparatus comprises top connecting members to connect to a limb, and an orthopedic element that is hingedly arranged distal to the connecting members. The method includes sensing, with sensors, several parameters of the orthopedic apparatus; comparing the sensed parameters with criteria that have been established based on several parameters and/or parameter curves and are stored in a computer unit; selecting a criterion that is suitable on the basis of the determined parameters and/or parameter curves; and adjusting resistances to movements, extents of movements, driving forces, and/or the progresses thereof in accordance with the selected criterion in order to control special functions that differ from walking on a plane.