Patent classifications
A61F2002/7615
ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND MOTION BASED CONTROL OF UPPER LIMB PROSTHETICS
A prosthesis and control approach using electromyography (EMG) data and motion data. EMG sensors and a motion sensor provide inputs to generate control signals. The EMG sensor detects EMG signals from the user's body. The motion sensor may be one or more inertial measurement sensors (IMS) and/or a magnetic field sensor. The EMG and motion data is analyzed according to various techniques to provide control of one or more actuatable prosthetic joints of an upper limb prosthesis, such as a prosthetic elbow, wrist, hand, and/or digits.
KNEE JOINT, PROSTHETIC LEG, AND ROTATIONAL RESISTANCE MODULE
A knee joint includes: a thigh connection portion that is provided on a thigh portion side; a lower leg portion that is connected to the thigh connection portion and rotatably provided around a knee shaft; a knee angle restrictor structured to restrict a relative rotation of the thigh connection portion and the lower leg portion such that a knee angle θ formed by the thigh connection portion with respect to the lower leg portion does not exceed a predetermined lock angle θ.sub.L; and an accommodation space that accommodates a rotational resistor applying resistance to the rotation around the knee shaft in a case where the knee angle θ is equal to or less than the lock angle θ.sub.L.
ORTHOPAEDIC JOINT AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME
The invention relates to an orthopaedic joint comprising an upper part and a lower part pivotably mounted thereon and a resistance device which is located between the upper part and the lower part and provides resistance against a pivoting movement about a pivot axis, and has a resistance adjusting device coupled to a control device which is coupled to at least one sensor such that the resistance can be adjusted by means of the control device on the basis of sensor data transmitted from the at least one sensor to the control device, a function is stored in the control device in which the joint is locked against pivoting in at least one direction in accordance with the sensor data, the function can be activated for locking and deactivated for unlocking on the basis of the sensor data.
Methods for determining the size of body parts as part of compression therapy procedures
Methods are disclosed for measuring the size of body parts treated by a compression therapy device. Either the volume or circumference of the body part may be measure. The methods my include evacuating an inflatable compression sleeve to a known pressure, inserting the body part into the compression sleeve, inflating the sleeve to a pre-set condition, and then measuring one or more inflation related parameters. The pre-set conditions may include a predetermined pressure, volume, or size of the inflatable cells comprising the sleeve. The inflation related parameters may include the time to fill the cell to a pre-set pressure, the pressure attained after a pre-set time of inflation, or the measure volume of a cell after a pre-set amount of air is introduced into it. The methods may also include deflating the cells from the known inflation state to a second inflation state and measuring similar parameters.
TRANSFEMORAL LEVEL INTERFACE SYSTEM USING COMPLIANT MEMBERS
A transfemoral prosthetic level socket system for a user's lower limb comprising modular socket components fitted to the individual user's residual limb having a mounting point for an attachment, at least one compliant member attached to at least one stabilizing unit, and at least one second compliant member attached to at least one stabilizing unit wherein the first compliant member and the second compliant member work in cooperation with the stabilizing unit(s) to control bone position and support the limb within the interface.
Prosthesis and orthosis slip detection sensor and method of use
A device and method for measuring prosthetic or orthotic slip is presented. An optical sensor device is attached to the prosthesis or orthosis and measures the amount of relative motion between the prosthetic socket and the residual limb surface or between the orthosis and the affected body part. The sensor device is comprised of an optical sensor, a light source, a processing unit and a power source contained within a housing. A system for measuring multidirectional prosthetic or orthotic slip using the sensor device and automatically adjusting the fit of the prosthetic based on a determined threshold is also presented.
BIDIRECTIONAL BIOMECHANICAL PROSTHETIC FULL FINGER CONFIGURED FOR ABDUCTION AND ADDUCTION WITH MCP PIVOT
The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a bidirectional biomechanical prosthetic finger assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an eccentric metacarpophalangeal (MCP) pivot configured for swivelable attachment to a hand of a user, a distal coupler, and an articulation assembly rotatively coupled therebetween. A ring configured to receive a user's residual finger is disposed upon the articulation assembly, and may be adjusted to a target location based on a length of the residual finger. The articulation assembly is configured to utilize vertical movements of the residual finger within the ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-z plane, and the MCP pivot is configured to utilize lateral movements of the residual finger within the ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-y plane. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
Orthesis or prosthesis system and method for open-loop or closed-loop orthesis or prosthesis control
An orthosis or prosthesis system comprising at least one orthosis or prosthesis, at least one pair of electrodes for contacting the body of the user of the orthosis or prosthesis in order to capture muscle-related signals, at least one evaluation unit for muscle-related signals captured by the at least one electrode pair, at least one actuator for moving the at least one orthosis or prosthesis, and at least one control unit for controlling the at least one actuator. The at least one electrode pair is designed to capture at least a first muscle-related signal using a first measurement frequency and a second muscle-related signal using a second measurement frequency. The at least one evaluation unit evaluates a phase of the first signal and a phase of the second signal. The muscle-related signals can be bioimpedance signals. The system makes it possible to distinguish between muscle contractions and interfering signals.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTROTACTILE FEEDBACK
A system and method for transferring proprioceptive and/or sensory information from a prosthesis or from a sensing system disposed at a body part having poor or no sensation, to the skin of a user wearing the prosthesis or the sensing system, includes: a device for providing electrotactile feedback in the form of an electrical stimulation pattern with coding scheme for at least one input signal; and at least one multi-pad electrode configured to be positioned on a part of the body of the user. The multi-pad electrode includes a plurality of pads configured to be selectively and discretely activated/deactivated according to the predefined stimulation pattern.
Device and method for generating a vibration pattern
The invention relates to a method and a device for generating a vibration pattern in a person, having a drive which sets a mass in rotation, and at least one sensor device which is coupled to a controller which controls the drive as a function of sensor data over the sensor device. The mass (m) is arranged in a homogeneously concentric fashion around its rotational axis (10), and an interface (20) transmits to the person reaction forces from the mass which arise owing to the change in the rotation.