Electronically controlled prosthetic system

• US 20040054423A1
• Filed: 04/09/2003
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Jay Martin
• Original Assignee: James Jay Martin
• Inventors: Martin, James Jay
• Granted Patent: US 7,029,500 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/25
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/581 Shoulder joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/582 Elbow joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/585 Wrist joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/605 Hip joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/64 Knee joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/6607 Ankle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/70 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/72 Bioelectric control, e.g. myoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5001 Cosmetic coverings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5003 having damping means, e.g. shock absorbers for implantable joints A61F2002/30563
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5004 operated by electro- or magnetorheological fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5018 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5021 for adjusting a position by translation along an axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/503 for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5032 for adjusting fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5033 for adjusting damping damping means A61F2002/5003
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5041 having bearing bushes between the rotating parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5043 with rotation-limiting stops, e.g. projections or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6621 Toes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6642 Heels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6685 : S-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6818 : for braking
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6854 : for locking or unlocking a joint
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6863 : magnetic magnetic prosthetic parts A61F2002/30079
• 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: A61F 2002/705 : Electromagnetic data transfer for implantable prostheses A61F2250/0002
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7635 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7655 : for measuring fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/008 : Alarm means

Abstract

A prosthetic joint system for users comprising a housing having an interior cavity, a center axis in said interior cavity, and an attachment means for fixedly connecting said housing to said user; an inner cylinder disposed in said housing interior cavity wherein said inner cylinder rotates around said center axis of said housing; an appendage attached to said inner cylinder; a sensor system attached to said appendage; and a dampening system, having a power source, in communication with said sensor system, said inner cylinder, and said housing for controlling dampening of the rotation of said inner cylinder around said center axis of said housing.

Claims

1. A prosthetic joint system for users comprising:

a housing having an interior cavity, a center axis in said interior cavity, and an attachment means for fixedly connecting said housing to said user;

an inner cylinder disposed in said housing interior cavity wherein said inner cylinder rotates around said center axis of said housing;

an appendage attached to said inner cylinder;

a sensor system attached to said appendage;

a dampening system, having a power source, in communication with said sensor system, said inner cylinder, and said housing for controlling dampening of the rotation of said inner cylinder around said center axis of said housing.

2. The prosthetic joint system of claim 1 wherein said dampening system further includes a microprocessor for processing said communication between said sensor system, said inner cylinder, said housing, wherein said dampening of the rotation is programably adjustable.

3. The prosthetic joint system of claim 2 wherein said dampening system further includes MR fluid in communication with said housing, said inner cylinder, and said microprocessor for electronically controlling said dampening of rotation.

4. The prosthetic joint system of claim 3 wherein said appendage is a keel and said inner cylinder and said housing define an ankle joint.

5. The prosthetic joint system of claim 4 wherein said dampening system further includes a dorsiflexion spring coupled to said housing and said keel.

6. The prosthetic joint system of claim 1 wherein said sensor system is attached to said appendage.

7. The prosthetic joint system of claim 6 wherein said sensor system further includes a heel load sensor.

8. The prosthetic joint system of claim 7 wherein said sensor system further includes a toe load sensor.

9. The prosthetic joint system of claim 1 wherein said sensor system further includes an angle sensor for determining said inner cylinder rotation amount respective to said housing.

10. The prosthetic joint system of claim 9 wherein said angle sensor is located in said interior cavity of said housing.

11. The prosthetic joint system of claim 2 wherein said microprocessor further includes a time clock integrated with said processing.

12. A prosthetic system that proves feedback from a user to control a prosthetic ankle joint comprising:

a prosthetic joint attached to a user;

a myoeletric sensor attached to said user wherein said sensor receives electrical signals generated by said user and transmits said signals; and

a microprocessor, having a power source, in communication with said myoelectric sensor and said prosthetic joint and wherein said microprocessor receives said signals transmitted from said sensor and regulates said prosthetic joint.

13. The prosthetic system of claim 12 wherein said myoeletric sensor is attached to a muscle of said user.

14. The prosthetic system of claim 13 wherein said signals generated by said user are electric signals.

15. The prosthetic system of claim 14 further including a dampening system for dampening rotation of said prosthetic ankle joint and wherein said dampening system is in communication with said microprocessor and said prosthetic joint.

16. A prosthetic joint system that provides proprioception sensory feedback to a user comprising:

a prosthetic joint having a first member rotationally coupled with a second member and wherein said prosthetic joint is attached to a user;

a sensor system attached to said prosthetic joint that transmits information about the rotation of said first member respective to said second member of said prosthetic joint;

a microprocessor including a power source that receives said information from said sensor system and generates a corresponding signal; and

a sensory stimulus contact attached to said user that receives said signal and generates said proprioception sensory feedback to said user.

17. The prosthetic joint system of claim 16 wherein said first member and said second member define an ankle joint.

18. The prosthetic joint system of claim 16 further including more than one of said sensor stimulus contact.

19. The prosthetic joint system of claim 16 wherein said proprioception sensory feedback is selectively adjustable.

20. The prosthetic joint system of claim 16 wherein said prosthetic joint further includes a dampening system for dampening the movement of said first member respective to said second member.

21. The prosthetic joint system of claim 16 wherein said information about said rotation of said first member respective to said second member of said prosthetic joint includes the amount of said rotation.

22. The prosthetic joint system of claim 16 wherein said information about said rotation includes the amount of resistance of said rotation.