Powered ankle-foot prosthesis
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An autonomous, wearable powered leg device, comprising:
- a) a controllable powered actuator including a motor being linkable to an ankle joint to thereby impart torque about the ankle joint;
b) a controller that includes an electromyographic processing unit linked to the controllable powered actuator;
c) at least one electromyographic sensor coupled to the electromyographic processing unit and connectable to limb muscles of an individual wearing the device, whereby electromyographic signals measured from the limb muscles are transmitted to the electromyographic processing unit and thereby modulate control commands from the controller; and
d) a plurality of servo controllers, at least one of the servo controllers linking the electromyographic processing unit to the controllable powered actuator, whereby the individual wearing the device can modulate the controller to adjust between the plurality of the servo controllers, wherein the servo controllers include;
i) a torque controller that provides an offset torque during powered plantar flexion push-off of the powered leg device;
ii) an impedance controller that modulates at least one of joint stiffness and damping of the powered leg device during a stance phase of a gait of the individual; and
iii) a position controller that controls foot position of the powered leg device during a swing phase of the gait of the individual.
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Abstract
A powered ankle-foot prosthesis, capable of providing human-like power at terminal stance that increase amputees metabolic walking economy compared to a conventional passive-elastic prosthesis. The powered prosthesis comprises a unidirectional spring, configured in parallel with a force-controllable actuator with series elasticity. The prosthesis is controlled to deliver the high mechanical power and net positive work observed in normal human walking.
362 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An autonomous, wearable powered leg device, comprising:
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a) a controllable powered actuator including a motor being linkable to an ankle joint to thereby impart torque about the ankle joint; b) a controller that includes an electromyographic processing unit linked to the controllable powered actuator; c) at least one electromyographic sensor coupled to the electromyographic processing unit and connectable to limb muscles of an individual wearing the device, whereby electromyographic signals measured from the limb muscles are transmitted to the electromyographic processing unit and thereby modulate control commands from the controller; and d) a plurality of servo controllers, at least one of the servo controllers linking the electromyographic processing unit to the controllable powered actuator, whereby the individual wearing the device can modulate the controller to adjust between the plurality of the servo controllers, wherein the servo controllers include; i) a torque controller that provides an offset torque during powered plantar flexion push-off of the powered leg device; ii) an impedance controller that modulates at least one of joint stiffness and damping of the powered leg device during a stance phase of a gait of the individual; and iii) a position controller that controls foot position of the powered leg device during a swing phase of the gait of the individual. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An autonomous, wearable powered leg device, comprising:
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a) a controllable powered actuator including a motor and being linkable to an ankle joint to thereby apply torque about the ankle joint; b) a controller that includes an electromyographic processing unit linked to the controllable powered actuator; c) at least one electromyographic sensor coupled to the electromyographic processing unit and connectable to limb muscles of an individual wearing the device, whereby electromyographic signals measured from the limb muscles are transmitted to the electromyographic processing unit and thereby switch the device among a plurality of gait modes selectable by the individual; and d) a plurality of servo controllers, at least one of the servo controllers linking the electromyographic processing unit to the controllable powered actuator, whereby the individual wearing the device can modulate the controller to adjust between the plurality of servo controllers, wherein the servo controllers include; i) a torque controller that provides offset torque during powered plantar flexion push-off of the powered leg device, ii) an impedance controller that modulates at least one of joint stiffness and damping of the powered leg device during a stance phase of a gait of the individual, and iii) a position controller that controls foot position of the powered leg device during a swing phase of the gait of the individual. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification