A method for controlling an orthopedic joint of a lower extremity in at least one degree of freedom by 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.

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.

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.

The disclosure discloses an ankle prosthesis hydraulic drive circuit for achieving damping control and energy recovery, belonging to the technical field of prosthesiss and orthotic devices. The hydraulic drive circuit particularly includes a motor, a hydraulic pump, a first check valve, a first high-pressure energy accumulator, a three-position four-way valve, an electromagnetic normally-closed valve, a second high-pressure energy accumulator, a single-rod hydraulic cylinder, an electromagnetic normally-opened valve, a low-pressure energy accumulator, a second check valve, an oil inlet line, an oil outlet line, a first line and a second line. The hydraulic drive circuit provided by the disclosure is capable of outputting enough peak power to meet a normal walking demand, and meanwhile actively controlling the damping of the circuit and recycling energy during the walking.

The invention provides for an improved disarticulated compression socket configured to secure a residual limb. The disarticulated compression socket may include a rigid socket frame, and preferably a 3-D printed socket having one or more surface channels that may secure a compression cord optionally positioned within a cord cylinder. Such compression cord may be responsive to a compression actuator and one or more disarticulated compression inserts such that activation of the compression actuator causes the retraction of the compression cord initiating the coordinated inward compression of each of said disarticulated compression inserts securing the residual limb within said socket frame.

A hydraulic pump assembly (72) comprises: a low-pressure hydraulic pump (74), a high-pressure hydraulic pump (76), and a drive shaft assembly (78) that passes along an axis of the pump assembly (72); wherein both hydraulic pumps (74, 76) are arranged to be rotated simultaneously by the drive shaft assembly (78); and wherein the pump assembly (72) is formed a single unit arranged to fit into a pump chamber (80).

A prosthesis comprises a housing (100); a piston (221) and piston rod (222) housed within a cylinder of the housing (100); and a pump (244) mounted on and partially within the housing (100). The housing (100) is a unitary piece and comprises a plurality of passages (151, 152, 153, 154) connecting the cylinder to the part of the housing (100) where the pump (244) is mounted.

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.

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 system consisting of at least one orthopaedic component, having at least one stored energy source and multiple electrical and/or electronic devices, and at least one operator control device and/or feedback device, which is assigned to the electrical and/or electronic devices and is coupled to them.