LOW PROFILE PROSTHETIC FOOT

• US 20070027557A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ossur hf
• Original Assignee: Ossur hf
• Inventors: Lecomte, Christophe, Ragnarsdottir, Heidrun, Jonsson, Orn, Clausen, Arinbjorn
• Granted Patent: US 8,377,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/55
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/66 Feet; Ankle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/76 Means for assembling, fitting or testing prostheses, e.g. for measuring or balancing, e.g. alignment means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30448 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5003 having damping means, e.g. shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5007 having elastic means different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric insert
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5018 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5055 Reinforcing prostheses by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping, e.g. carbon fibre composites
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5067 having rolling elements between articulating surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5079 Leaf springs A61F2002/6657 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5083 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6621 Toes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6642 Heels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6657 having a plate-like or strip-like spring element, e.g. an energy-storing cantilever spring keel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6664 Dual structures made of two connected cantilevered leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6685 S-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 using adhesives

Abstract

A low profile prosthetic foot comprises a foot member extending at an incline from an anterior portion to a posterior portion thereof and configured to flex during motion, and an adapter mounted solely at a posterior section thereof to the posterior portion of the foot member so that the adapter'"'"'s anterior section can move relative to the foot member and “roll-up” onto the foot member during motion.

Claims

1. A low profile prosthetic foot, comprising:

a first elongate foot member extending between a front end and a rear end thereof;

a second elongate foot member positioned below the first elongate foot member and having a heel portion;

a resilient compressible member positioned between the first foot member and the second foot member; and

an adapter mounted to the rear end of the first foot member,

wherein a gap exists between an anterior section of the adapter and the first foot member.

2. The prosthetic foot of claim 1, wherein the anterior section of the adapter is configured to move relative to the first foot member.

3. The prosthetic foot of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises a male pyramid adapter.

4. The prosthetic foot of claim 1, wherein the second foot member is removably connected to the first foot member.

5. The prosthetic foot of claim 1, wherein the second foot member is shorter than the first foot member.

6. The prosthetic foot of claim 1, wherein the first and second foot members have a substantially rectangular transverse cross section.

7. The prosthetic foot of claim 1, wherein the first foot member has an anterior portion that is generally parallel to a support surface and a posterior portion that is generally inclined with respect to the anterior portion and the support surface.

8. The prosthetic foot of claim 7, wherein the posterior portion inclines at a constant slope.

9. The prosthetic foot of claim 1, wherein the second foot member is curved.

10. The prosthetic foot of claim 1, wherein the first foot member has a posterior portion that is generally inclined with respect to a support surface, and the adapter has a base that is generally inclined with respect to the support surface, the base of the adapter contacting the inclined posterior portion of the first foot member and the angle of incline of the posterior portion and the base being generally equal.

11. The prosthetic foot of claim 1, wherein the resilient compressible member comprises a wedge.

12. The prosthetic foot of claim 1, wherein the resilient compressible member comprises polyurethane.

13. The prosthetic foot of claim 1, wherein the adapter is a male pyramid adapter configured to connect the prosthetic foot to a pylon or other prosthesis.

14. In combination, an elongate foot support adapted for use in a prosthetic foot and an adapter mounted to a posterior portion of the foot support, wherein a gap exists between an anterior section of the adapter and the posterior portion of the foot support.

15. The combination of claim 14, wherein the adapter has a base that defines an edge at the anterior section, the edge having a radius of curvature, the anterior section configured to roll-up along said edge onto the foot support.

16. The combination of claim 14, wherein the edge curls upwardly toward the anterior section of the adapter, such that the gap becomes wider toward the anterior section.

17. The combination of claim 14, wherein the adapter comprises a male pyramid adapter.

18. The combination of claim 14, further comprising an elongate heel support below the foot support and a resilient member positioned between the heel support and foot support.

19. A low profile prosthetic foot comprising:

a foot support extending between a front end and a rear end thereof and having an anterior portion and a posterior portion, the posterior portion inclined at an angle relative to a support surface; and

an adapter mounted to the posterior portion of the foot support and having an anterior section, a posterior section, and a base inclined at an angle relative to the support surface wherein at least a portion of the base contacts the posterior portion of the foot support, wherein the adapter defines a gap between the anterior section and the foot support, and wherein the anterior section is configured to move relative to the foot support.

20. The prosthetic foot of claim 19, further comprising a heel support operatively connected to the foot support.

21. The prosthetic foot of claim 20, wherein the heel support is directly connected to the foot support.

22. The prosthetic foot of claim 21, further comprising a resilient member between the foot support and the heel support.