Prosthetic device and method with compliant linking member and actuating linking member

• US 10,543,109 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2016
• Issued: 01/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ossur Iceland ehf
• Original Assignee: Ossur Iceland ehf
• Inventors: Holgate, Matthew A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Snow, Bruce E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoban, Melissa A
• Application Number:
  US15/146,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20160242938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,364 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/60 Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/644 of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/66 Feet; Ankle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/6607 Ankle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/70 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/78 Means for protecting prostheses or for attaching them to the body, e.g. bandages, harnesses, straps, or stockings for the limb stump
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30471 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5003 having damping means, e.g. shock absorbers for implantable joints A61F2002/30563
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5006 Dampers, e.g. hydraulic damper
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5072 having spring elements spring-biased locking means A61F2002/30505; for implantable joints A61F2002/30565; other elastic means A61F2002/5007
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5073 Helical springs, e.g. having at least one helical spring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6614 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/701 operated by electrically controlled means, e.g. solenoids or torque motors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/704 computer-controlled, e.g. robotic control
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/0091 Shock absorbers in general F16F
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A prosthetic device has a movable body and foot member with an end effector for contacting an external surface. A base body is coupled to a first joint of the foot member. A compliant linking member is disposed between a second joint of the foot member and a first joint of the moveable body. The compliant linking member can be a spring or flexible beam. A passive linking member is coupled between a third joint of the foot member and a third joint of the moveable body. An actuator is disposed between the base body and the second joint of the movable body. The actuator can be a motor with an extension member. The compliant linking member extends during roll-over phase. The actuator acts to assist with the extension of the compliant linking member during roll-over phase to aid with push-off phase in the gait cycle.

Claims

1. A method of making a prosthetic device, comprising:

providing a first passive linking member, wherein the first passive linking member includes an end effector for contacting an external surface;

providing a base body rotationally coupled to the first passive linking member;

providing a movable body;

disposing a compliant linking member including a first end connected to the first passive linking member and a second end rotationally connected to a first joint on the movable body;

disposing a motorized actuator between the base body and a second joint on the movable body; and

providing a second passive linking member coupled between the base body and a third joint on the movable body.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the compliant linking member includes a flexible beam.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the motorized actuator includes a motor member, movable member, and shaft between the motor member and movable member.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first passive linking member includes an end effector for contacting an external surface.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first passive linking member includes a fixed connection to the compliant linking member.

6. A prosthetic device, comprising:

a first passive linking member, wherein the first passive linking member includes an end effector for contacting an external surface;

a base body rotationally coupled to the first passive linking member;

a movable body;

a compliant linking member including a first end connected to the first passive linking member and a second end rotationally connected to a first joint on the movable body;

a motorized actuator coupled between the base body and a second joint on the movable body; and

a second passive linking member coupled between the base body and a third joint on the movable body.

7. The prosthetic device of claim 6, wherein the compliant linking member includes a flexible beam.

8. The prosthetic device of claim 6, wherein the motorized actuator includes a motor member, movable member, and shaft between the motor member and movable member.

9. The prosthetic device of claim 6, wherein the first passive linking member includes a fixed connection to the compliant linking member.

10. A prosthetic device, comprising:

a first passive linking member;

a base body coupled to the first passive linking member;

a movable body;

a compliant linking member coupled between the first passive linking member and a first joint on the movable body to enable relative movement between the passive linking member and movable body;

an actuating linking member coupled between the base body and a second joint on the movable body; and

a second passive linking member coupled between the base body and a third joint on the movable body.

11. The prosthetic device of claim 10, wherein the compliant linking member includes a flexible beam.

12. The prosthetic device of claim 10, wherein the first passive linking member includes an end effector for contacting an external surface.

13. The prosthetic device of claim 10, wherein the first passive linking member includes a fixed connection to the compliant linking member.

14. A prosthetic device, comprising:

a foot member including a first joint;

a movable body including a first joint and a second joint;

a compliant linking member disposed between the foot member and the first joint of the movable body to enable relative movement between the foot member and movable body;

an actuator disposed between the base body and the second joint of the movable body; and

a passive linking member coupled between the base body and a third joint of the movable body.

15. The prosthetic device of claim 14, wherein the compliant linking member includes a flexible beam.

16. The prosthetic device of claim 14, wherein the foot member includes a fixed connection to the compliant linking member.

17. The prosthetic device of claim 14, wherein the actuator includes a motor member, movable member, and shaft between the motor member and movable member.