Combined Active and Passive Leg Prosthesis System and a Method for Performing a Movement With Such a System

• US 20090299489A1
• Filed: 04/18/2006
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ossur hf
• Original Assignee: Ossur hf
• Inventors: Gramnaes, Lisa
• Granted Patent: US 8,814,949 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/60 Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/64 Knee joints
• 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 2/72 Bioelectric control, e.g. myoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/74 fluid , i.e. hydraulic or pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/741 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors or solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/748 Valve systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5038 Hinged joint, e.g. with transverse axle restricting the movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/607 Lower legs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6614 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6818 for braking
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/704 computer-controlled, e.g. robotic control
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/705 Electromagnetic data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7625 for measuring angular position
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/763 for measuring spatial position, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/764 for measuring acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7655 for measuring fluid pressure

Abstract

A combined active and passive leg prosthesis system is disclosed, and a method of performing a gait cycle by a leg prosthesis system is disclosed, for replacing a missing lower extremity of an individual to perform a gait cycle by the leg prosthesis system and/or the method. In at least one embodiment, the leg prosthesis system includes at least one movable joint, and a disconnectable active drive unit to drive the movable joint and a passive brake unit to brake the movable joint when the drive unit is disconnected.

Claims

1. A leg prosthesis system for replacing a missing lower extremity of an individual to perform a gait cycle by the leg prosthesis system, said leg prosthesis system comprising at least one movable joint and a drive unit, to drive the movable joint, disconnectable from a driving relation with the movable joint.

2. A leg prosthesis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive unit is disconnected from the driving relation with the movable joint during part of said gait cycle.

3. A leg prosthesis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a brake unit acts on the movement of the joint when the drive unit is disconnected from the joint.

4. A leg prosthesis system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the leg prosthesis system further comprises a control system to control the drive unit of said movable joint.

5. A leg prosthesis system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control system is adapted to control also the brake unit of said movable joint.

6. A leg prosthesis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the leg prosthesis system comprises both a movable knee joint and a movable ankle joint.

7. A leg prosthesis system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said knee joint and ankle joint are each arranged with a disconnectable drive unit and a brake unit and a common control system to control the movements of knee joint and ankle joint in a synchronised manner.

8. A leg prosthesis system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the leg prosthesis system comprises transducers for input data to the control system.

9. A leg prosthesis system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said knee joint and ankle joint move by switching between the associated drive unit and brake unit during a gait cycle.

18. A leg prosthesis system as claimed in claim 2, wherein a brake unit acts on the movement of the joint when the drive unit is disconnected from the joint.

10. A method of performing a gait cycle by a leg prosthesis system, which replaces a missing lower extremity of an individual, which leg prosthesis system includes at least one movable joint and a drive unit, the method comprising:

driving the movable joint by the drive unit;

disconnecting the drive unit from a driving relation with the movable joint during part of the gait cycle.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one movable joint of the leg prosthesis system comprises a brake unit for

braking the movement of the joint when the drive unit is disconnected from the joint.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the leg prosthesis system comprises also a control system for

controlling the drive unit of the movable joint.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said control system is also adapted to

control the brake unit of the movable joint.

14. A method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising:

supplying input data to the control system from transducers of the leg prosthesis system.

15. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the leg prosthesis system is arranged with both a movable knee joint and a movable ankle joint.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said knee joint and ankle joint are each arranged with a disconnectable drive unit and a brake unit and a common control system for

controlling the movements of knee joint and ankle joint in a synchronised manner.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

driving and braking of the knee joint and ankle joint, respectively, during a gait cycle.

19. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the leg prosthesis system comprises also a control system for controlling the drive unit of the movable joint.