INSTRUMENTED PROSTHETIC FOOT

• US 20110130847A1
• Filed: 08/26/2010
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Victhom Human Bionics Inc. (Ergoresearch Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Victhom Human Bionics Inc. (Ergoresearch Ltd.)
• Inventors: Roy, Pierre-Ollvier, Bédard, Stéphane
• Granted Patent: US 9,526,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/60 Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/66 Feet; Ankle joints
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5007 having elastic means different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric insert
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6621 Toes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6642 Heels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/665 Soles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6685 S-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/705 Electromagnetic data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7635 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/764 for measuring acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7685 located on natural or sound-site limbs, e.g. comparison measuring means

Abstract

The present invention discloses an instrumented prosthetic foot for use with an actuated leg prosthesis controlled by a controller, the instrumented prosthetic foot comprising a connector to connect the instrumented prosthetic foot to the leg prosthesis, an ankle structure connected to the connector, a ground engaging member connected to the ankle, at least one sensor for detecting changes in weight distribution along the foot, and an interface for transmitting signals from the sensor to the controller.

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. A prosthetic foot comprising:

an elongated foot plate;

a connector to operably connect the elongated foot plate to a user, the connector being connected in a manner that provides for multidirectional movement of the connector relative to the elongated foot plate; and

at least one sensor configured to measure load on the prosthetic foot.

10. The prosthetic foot of claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned between the connector and the elongated foot plate, the sensor comprising a deformable material to provide for said multidirectional movement.

11. The prosthetic foot of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pair of load sensors.

12. The prosthetic foot of claim 11, wherein the pair of load sensors are interposed between and interconnect the connector and a top part of the elongated foot plate, the pair of load sensors being configured to measure the load on the connector.

13. The prosthetic foot of claim 11, wherein the pair of load sensors are positioned side by side.

14. The prosthetic foot of claim 11, wherein the pair of load sensors are free of any other load bearing element therebetween so as to support essentially the full load on the connector and to be deformable thereby.

15. The prosthetic foot of claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor senses the load in any direction.

16. The prosthetic foot of claim 11, wherein the pair of load sensors are in close proximity to one another.

17. The prosthetic foot of claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor transmits signals to a controller using a wired connection.

18. The prosthetic foot of to claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor transmits signals to a controller using a wireless connection.

19. The prosthetic foot of claim 9, wherein the connector comprises a pyramid connector to removably connect the prosthetic foot to the user.

20. The prosthetic foot of claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor is free of other load-bearing elements.