Provided is a method of stimulating regeneration of cartilage in an area of diseased cartilage in a layer of cartilage in a first bone of a joint. The method includes forming a first recess in the first bone at the area of diseased cartilage, and positioning a first spherical implant within the first recess, where the first spherical implant is dimensioned to be smaller than the first recess so that the first spherical implant is capable of moving in two dimensions within the first recess resulting in shear forces between the first spherical implant and the cartilage and stimulates formation of fibrous tissue which subsequently transforms into cartilage.

In an embodiment, a prosthetic leg including a modular knee element coupled to a modular ankle element. The modular knee element includes a knee motor rotatable about an axis of a shaft in the knee motor. The modular ankle element includes a drive portion coupled to a surface-contacting portion via a pylon having a top and bottom end. The top end is coupled to the drive portion and the bottom end is coupled to the surface-contacting portion. The drive portion includes an ankle motor coupled to a rotary series elastic actuator (RSEA) and a first pulley coupled to the RSEA. The surface-contacting portion includes a hinge and a second pulley with a belt engaging at least a portion of at least one of the first and second pulley, and a modular foot element coupled to the bottom of the hinge.

A split toe blade comprising a medial toe member, a lateral toe member that is disposed adjacent to the medial toe member, and a connecting web that is disposed between the medial toe member and the lateral toe member. The preferred connecting web controls the amount of traverse compliance in the event an off-axis load is applied to the blade. A method comprising providing a split toe blade and applying an off-axis force to the blade.

A prosthetic foot and method of fabricating the same is disclosed which includes a socket assembly configured to connect to a natural limb of a patient, a sideway cylindrical ankle joint having a maze-like internal structure laterally affixed to the socket assembly; a foot assembly, laterally affixed to the sideway cylindrical ankle joint, having a dorsal portion, a phalange portion, a sole portion, and a heel portion; the phalange portion having a first end connected to the dorsal portion and a second end connected to the sole portion, the sole portion having a curve shape and connected to the heel portion; and the heel portion having a spring assembly connected to said cylindrical ankle joint.

In an embodiment, a prosthetic leg including a modular knee element coupled to a modular ankle element. The modular knee element includes a knee motor rotatable about an axis of a shaft in the knee motor. The modular ankle element includes a drive portion coupled to a surface-contacting portion via a pylon having a top and bottom end. The top end is coupled to the drive portion and the bottom end is coupled to the surface-contacting portion. The drive portion includes an ankle motor coupled to a rotary series elastic actuator (RSEA) and a first pulley coupled to the RSEA. The surface-contacting portion includes a hinge and a second pulley with a belt engaging at least a portion of at least one of the first and second pulley, and a modular foot element coupled to the bottom of the hinge.

Provided for herein, in several embodiments are implants and methods of using same to repair damaged or defective soft tissue. In several embodiments, the soft tissue comprises cartilage within a joint space. In several embodiments, the implants provided for comprise a stimulating region and an anchoring region. In several embodiments, the implants are spherical. A discontinuity between a surface of the implant and the surrounding cartilage advantageously facilitates implant placement and stimulation of generation of fibrous tissue, and subsequently new cartilage.

The present invention is an articulated orthopaedic foot (100) with shock absorption, which prevents the impact produced in each foot-loading cycle when walking or running, providing natural movement and stability for the user, the foot being adaptable to irregular surfaces and comprising: a central pin (1) pivotably joined to a pair of metatarsal plates (2); an instep subsystem (101) solidly joined to the pair of metatarsal plates (2) by securing means; an ankle subsystem (102) pivotably joined to the central pin (1), metatarsal shock-absorbing means (40) being positioned between the ankle subsystem (102) and the instep subsystem (101); a calcaneus support (13) pivotably joined to the central pin (1), calcaneus shock-absorbing means (41) being positioned between the calcaneus support (13) and the ankle subsystem (102), to absorb impact when the user uses the articulated orthopaedic foot (100); and coupling means (20) positioned in the upper part of the ankle subsystem (102), for joining a tibia prosthesis to the articulated orthopaedic foot (100).

A prosthetic device includes a phalanges portion, a metatarsals portion that is movably coupled to the phalanges portion, an ankle portion that is movably coupled to the metatarsals portion, and a calcaneus portion that is movably coupled to the ankle portion.

A prosthetic device includes a phalanges portion, a metatarsals portion that is movably coupled to the phalanges portion, an ankle portion that is movably coupled to the metatarsals portion, and a calcaneus portion that is movably coupled to the ankle portion.

A prosthetic device includes a phalanges portion, a metatarsals portion that is movably coupled to the phalanges portion, an ankle portion that is movably coupled to the metatarsals portion, and a calcaneus portion that is movably coupled to the ankle portion.