An asymmetric linear actuator is provided which integrates a hydraulic dissipater and an electric motor and power screw which generates small forces. The actuator is configured so that an electric motor drives a power screw which drives a rod through a cylinder to provide linear actuation. The cylinder is fluid-filled and incorporates a piston that separates the cylinder into a first and second fluid chamber which are filled with a first and second volume of working fluid. Movement of the piston and rod assembly results in fluid movement between the first and second volumes of working fluid and through the fluidic restriction. The fluidic restriction can be proportionally controllable via an electric motor which enables controllable power dissipation via control of the fluidic restriction motor and controllable power generation via control of the power screw motor.

Described here are prosthetic systems, devices, and methods of use therefor. Generally, a prosthesis may be configured to set a resistance to rotation of a prosthetic joint based on a phase of gait. The prosthesis may include a first cylinder, a first piston slidable within the first cylinder, a fluid sump, and a fluid circuit. The fluid circuit may include a plurality of interconnected fluid channels having a unidirectional variable-resistance valve and a set of check valves that are configured to provide unidirectional flow through the valve during piston compression and extension.

A control unit system. The system includes a control unit which includes a control unit charging interface, at least one magnet located proximate to the control unit charging interface, at least one actuator, a detachable manifold including at least one magnet, fluidly coupled to the at least one actuator, a pump connected to the at least one actuator for causing actuation thereof, and a control system for controlling the pump, wherein the control system controls the pump to actuate the at least one actuator at least in response to a signal received by the control system. The system also includes a recharging device configured to receive the control unit, the recharging device including a reed switch, wherein when the magnet in the control unit is located proximate to the reed switch, the switch is activated.

A joint device of an orthosis or prosthesis or for an orthosis or prosthesis with an upper part, a lower part, a joint that comprises a joint axis, about which the upper part is mounted such that it can be swivelled relative to the lower part, and an actuator, which is designed to influence a swivelling of the upper part relative to the lower part. The actuator is mounted at an upper part fixing point on the upper part and at a lower part fixing point on the lower part. At least two joints are arranged between the upper part fixing point and the lower part fixing point, wherein the joints enable a swivelling of the actuator relative to the upper part fixing point and the lower part fixing point, and the joints each form at least one joint axis, at least one of which is not oriented parallel to the joint axis.

A dynamic support system includes a control system for controlling inflation and deflation of at least one actuator having an inlet connectable to the a control unit of the dynamic support system. The control unit may be in communication with a sensor and may control inflation and deflation of the at least one actuator in response to information provided by the sensor.

An ankle prosthesis is disclosed having an actuation system so as to act as a brake, modulated by motor means, proportional to the load stressing the prosthesis. The prosthesis is advantageously capable of reducing the work necessary to lift the prosthesis while maintaining an anthropometric encumbrance.

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.

The present disclosure relates to variable recruitment actuator systems and related methods. In one embodiment, a variable recruitment actuator system utilizes a central hydraulic pump, an accumulator, a plurality of variable recruitment actuators, and a pressurized reservoir of hydraulic fluid to provide highly efficient hydraulic regenerative energy harvesting in systems requiring both eccentric and concentric motion. In another embodiment, a powered prosthetic or orthotic device, or a legged robot, utilizes a system as previously described to capture energy from the eccentric motion of the knee joint to provide concentric motion of both the knee and ankle joints later on in a gait cycle.

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 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.