Patent classifications
A61F2002/6635
Foot prosthesis with resilient multi-axial ankle
The present foot prosthesis includes various structural features that provide the foot with advantageous rollover properties. In certain embodiments, the foot guides rollover toward the medial side. For example, an asymmetrical upper element and a correspondingly shaped resilient ankle member support more of the wearer's weight on the lateral side as the foot rolls over. In another embodiment, stiffeners added to the resilient ankle member increase the stiffness on the lateral side relative to the medial side. In certain other embodiments, the foot provides progressively increasing support from mid stance through toe off. For example, a gap between the resilient ankle member and the lower element closes during the later portion of the wearer's gait. The closing gap increases a contact area between the resilient ankle member and the lower element, providing progressively increasing support. In another embodiment, the foot includes a gap between a lower front edge of an attachment adapter and the upper element. The gap may be filled with a resilient material.
Prosthetic feet with increased flexibility to accommodate different heel heights
A prosthetic foot plate can have adjustable flexibility in the toe region, the metatarsal area, and/or the arch to accommodate different heights to which a heel region of the prosthetic foot plate is raised. The adjustable flexibility can be provided by materials of different stiffness and/or different physical structures of one or more locations on the prosthetic foot plate. In another variation, the adjustability in the toe region can be provided by a link between the toe region and ankle of the prosthetic foot. The link can be actuated to adjust an orientation of the toe region and/or the metatarsal region in any heel-height setting.