The joint device having a linking unit which links a first member and a second member in a manner allowing relative movement, and having an expansion/contraction device 12 which is connected across the first member 1 and the second member in a manner allowing power transmission and which can modify an angle formed by the first member and the second member around the linking member by expanding and contracting. The expansion/contraction device has a rotary unit which generates rotary power, and a conversion unit which is connected to the rotating unit in a manner allowing power transmission and converts the rotary power generated by the rotary unit into translational motion along a direction of expansion/contraction.

A knee prosthesis system including a knee prosthesis, an actuator and a controlling unit. The knee prosthesis includes a thigh segment and a shank segment. The actuator rotatably connects the shank segment and the thigh segment. The actuator is configured to controllably assume a powered knee behavior to generate knee motion or a passive knee behavior to resist knee motion. The controlling unit includes a finite-state control structure. The controlling unit electrically communicates with the actuator. The control structure includes at least three passive states and at least one powered state. The passive states include a passive stance-resistance state, a swing-flexion state, and a swing-extension state and the at least one powered state includes at least one of a swing-assistance state, a stance-assistance state, and a powered-swing state.

Features for a prosthetic wrist and associated methods are described. The wrist couples with a prosthetic socket and a prosthetic hand. The wrist may rotate the hand. The wrist includes features to prevent or mitigate undesirable separation of the wrist from the socket. The wrist may have an expanding coupling, such as an expanding ring, to better secure the wrist with the socket. An actuator may cause the coupling to expand outward to prevent or mitigate undesirable separation of the wrist from the socket. Alternatively or in addition, the wrist may include torque control features to prevent undesirable or premature separation of the hand from the wrist, for example when using a “quick wrist disconnect” (QWD) apparatus. A torque control method may tailor or limit multiple torques to be applied by the wrist to the hand based on operational requirements and phases, such as anticipated torque loads and operational timing.

A sensor assembly for a prosthetic or orthotic device (POD) may include a housing and a support. The housing may be attached with the POD. The support may be moveably connected with the housing such that the support may move relative to the housing. The support may form an enclosure with the housing. Within the enclosure, the sensor assembly may include one or more sensors and a circuit board. The one or more sensors may include one or more of an inertial measurement unit, an electromyography sensor, or a distance sensor such as a magnetic sensor and a magnet. The circuit board may be attached with the support and in electrical communication with the plurality of sensors. Movement of the support may cause the sensors to move which may be detected for control of the POD. The sensor assembly may be attached to an arm or other prosthetic socket for detection of natural limb movements.

Systems and methods for a running controller for a lower limb device including at least a powered knee joint are provided. The method includes collecting real-time sensor information for the lower limb device and configuring the lower limb device to a first state in a finite state model for an activity mode including the running mode. The method further includes, based on the sensor information, transitioning the lower limb device from a current state to a subsequent state in the finite state model for the detected mode when a pre-defined criteria for transitioning to the subsequent state is met, and repeating the transitioning until the activity mode changes. In the system and method, the finite state model includes at least one stance state and at least one swing state, where the at least one stance state includes at least one absorption state and at least one propulsion state.

A prosthetic arm apparatus comprising a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a harness mount that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.

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.

The present disclosure relates to an orthotic (or brace) and/or prosthetic ankle joint and associated methods adapted to enable adjustment of a talus section or ankle portion or brace with respect to a tibial section of the orthotic (or brace) and/or prosthetic ankle joint. The talus section or ankle portion of the orthotic (or brace) and/or prosthetic ankle joint is movably coupled to the tibial section with the alignment between the talus section and tibial section being adjustable between various positions by disengagement or engagement of a lock of an adjustment mechanism. As the lock is disengaged, the talus section is enabled to pivot with respect to the tibial section in at least one direction as the user moves along a slope.

The invention relates to a system to assist walking in spinal cord injured people, who preserve hip flexion capacity, comprising a pair of KAFO-type orthoses with: (a) an angular actuator (5) in each knee; (b) an orientation and acceleration sensor (6) on each leg; (c) a power supply and control system (7) to which all the sensors and actuators are connected; (d) a control algorithm deciding when to flex or extend the knee depending on the walking cycle, using information from the sensors.

Features for a prosthetic wrist and associated methods are described. The wrist couples with a prosthetic socket and a prosthetic hand. The wrist may rotate the hand. The wrist includes features to prevent or mitigate undesirable separation of the wrist from the socket. The wrist may have an expanding coupling, such as an expanding ring, to better secure the wrist with the socket. An actuator may cause the coupling to expand outward to prevent or mitigate undesirable separation of the wrist from the socket. Alternatively or in addition, the wrist may include torque control features to prevent undesirable or premature separation of the hand from the wrist, for example when using a “quick wrist disconnect” (QWD) apparatus. A torque control method may tailor or limit multiple torques to be applied by the wrist to the hand based on operational requirements and phases, such as anticipated torque loads and operational timing.