Variable-mechanical-impedance artificial legs
First Claim
1. A variable impedance prosthesis or orthosis, comprising:
- a. A proximal end for interfacing to a user;
b. a distal end for interfacing to the environment;
c. a stiffness controller;
d. a controllable-spring-rate spring element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one aspect, the invention provides methods and apparatus facilitating an adjustable-stiffness prosthesis or orthosis (including approximations to arbitrarily definable non-linear spring functions). Spring rates may be varied under no-load conditions during a walking gate cycle to minimize power consumption. In another aspect, the invention provides methods and apparatus for outputting positive power from a prosthesis or orthosis, facilitating high-performance artificial limbs. In one embodiment of the invention, the positive power is transferred from a functioning muscle to the prosthesis or orthosis, which mimics or assists a non-functioning or impaired muscle. In another embodiment of the invention, the positive power comes from an on-board power source in the prosthesis or orthosis.
442 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A variable impedance prosthesis or orthosis, comprising:
-
a. A proximal end for interfacing to a user;
b. a distal end for interfacing to the environment;
c. a stiffness controller;
d. a controllable-spring-rate spring element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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- 9. A method for providing variable mechanical impedance in a prosthetic or orthotic, comprising varying the spring rate a controllable-spring-rate spring automatically with a spring-rate controller as a function of a repeated cycle of use of said prosthetic or orthotic.
Specification