A foot movement limiting device for limiting a foot movement via the ankle joint, and to a correspondingly configured shoe for limiting a foot movement via the ankle joint. The foot movement limiting device includes a support arrangement for supporting on a lower leg or from proximally on the ankle bone, a retaining arrangement for retention on a foot and at least one attachment element for limiting a relative movement between the support arrangement and the retaining arrangement.

A robotic joint includes a first link, a middle link, a torque generator, a second link, and a locking mechanism. Different ends of the middle link are rotatably coupled to the first link and the second link. The torque generator is coupled to the first link and the middle link and is configured to produce a torque between these links. The locking mechanism is switchable between a locking state and an unlocking state. In the unlocking state, the locking mechanism allows free rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the first and second rotation directions. In the locking state, the locking mechanism is configured to impede rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the first rotation direction and to allow rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the second rotation direction opposite of the first rotation direction.

Systems, methods, and apparatus provide artificial knees. Artificial knees include a thigh link configured to move in unison with a thigh of the person, a shank link configured to be rotatably coupled to the thigh link, and a compression spring rotatably coupled to the thigh link and coupled to a second end of shank link with a second end of the compression spring. During a first range of motion, the compression spring is configured to provide an extension torque between the thigh link and the shank link causing the artificial knee to resist flexion. After the first range of motion, the compression spring is configured to provide a flexion torque between the thigh link and the shank link encouraging the artificial knee to flex resulting in toe clearance during the swing phase. During the swing phase, the compression spring provides no torque between the thigh link and the shank link.

Composite springs, composite spring assemblies, medical devices including the same, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The composite springs may comprise alternating layers of carbon fiber and fiberglass materials. A strengthening adhesive, such as an epoxy, may be used to bind the carbon fiber and fiberglass materials. A dampening member may be attached to the composite spring, thereby at least partially defining a composite spring assembly. The dampening member may dampen elastic/spring forces of the composite spring. The composite spring assembly may be attached to an orthotic device to provide a non-linear spring response during movement of the device.

In one embodiment, a torque-compensating assistive wrist brace includes a hand member adapted to be provided on a user's hand, a forearm member adapted to be provided on the user's forearm, and an assistive linkage that connects the hand and forearm members together, the assistive linkage being configured to apply a balancing torque to a wrist of the user that counteracts intrinsic stiffness within the wrist and assists the user in rotating the wrist in both the flexion and extension directions.

An orthopedic device for the orthotic or prosthetic provision of a patient is provided. The orthopedic device includes a knee joint, which has a proximal upper part and a distal lower part arranged pivotably thereon, an ankle joint, a pivoted foot part which can be fastened distally to the ankle joint, and a shin part arranged between the ankle joint and the knee joint. The upper part of the knee joint or a thigh part fastened thereto that can be attached to the patient's body and is coupled with the foot part by means of a force transfer device, which causes a plantar flexion of the foot part when a knee is flexed.

An actuator-damper unit for use in orthotic or prosthetic devices. The actuator-damper unit includes a housing which may be fastened on the orthotic or prosthetic device and in which a cylinder is formed. A first piston is displaceably mounted in the cylinder and is coupled to a piston rod. The piston rod is disposed, via a first end, on the first piston and may be coupled, via a second end, to the orthotic or prosthetic device. The first piston separates two fluid chambers in the cylinder from each other and forms a piston-cylinder unit, wherein at least one further piston is coupled to the first piston in order to form at least one further, variable-volume fluid chamber.

The invention relates to an orthopedic joint device having an upper part and a lower part which is hinged about a pivot axis to said upper part, having a flexion moment-controlled retainer device that is positioned between the upper part and the lower part, blocks a flexion and releases the flexion when a predefined flexion moment is exceeded, wherein a control element is associated with the retainer device and is coupled to a delaying element.

Disclosed is an apparatus for stabilizing body joints and/or for supporting items of sports equipment, comprising: a receptacle, wherein the receptacle is filled with a filling medium, a first body for interacting with the filling medium, wherein the first body is displaceably arranged in the receptacle, a force transmission body for transmitting an external force to the first body, a second body for interacting with the filling medium, which is displaceably arranged in the receptacle, wherein the second body is elastically coupled to the first body via a coupling element, wherein the second body and/or the first body has at least one passage opening, through which the filling medium can flow, and wherein the first body forms a valve body and the second body forms a valve seat, such that a flow of the filling medium through the passage opening can be permitted or inhibited as a function of the valve position, wherein, in a displacement direction relative to the first body, the second body overlaps therewith.

An orthopedic device, first and second struts, and a range-of-motion limiting pivot assembly connecting to the first and second struts. The pivoting assembly having an engagement member linked to a tab disposed and arranged for pulling radially outward away from a central axis of the pivoting assembly for adjusting the range of motion of the pivoting assembly.