SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACTUATING A PROSTHETIC ANKLE
First Claim
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1. A prosthetic system that mimics the movement of a natural ankle in a relaxed position, the prosthetic system comprising:
- a prosthetic ankle joint comprising a foot unit and an upper member moveably attached to the foot unit to simulate a natural human ankle joint; and
a controller configured to automatically adjust the state of the prosthetic ankle joint, wherein the controller is configured to automatically adjust the prosthetic ankle joint to a relaxed state upon receiving data indicative of a user'"'"'s movement to a relaxed position.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for sensing actuating a prosthetic ankle are disclosed. In one example, the system, such as an actuated prosthetic ankle joint, detects that the user has moved to a relaxed position, such as sitting, reclining, crawling, or leaning. In response, the actuated prosthetic ankle joint actively adjusts the angle between the members of the ankle to a relaxed state. The system may further detect when the user has moved to exit the relaxed position, and may actively adjust the angle between the members of the ankle to an exit state.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A prosthetic system that mimics the movement of a natural ankle in a relaxed position, the prosthetic system comprising:
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a prosthetic ankle joint comprising a foot unit and an upper member moveably attached to the foot unit to simulate a natural human ankle joint; and a controller configured to automatically adjust the state of the prosthetic ankle joint, wherein the controller is configured to automatically adjust the prosthetic ankle joint to a relaxed state upon receiving data indicative of a user'"'"'s movement to a relaxed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A prosthetic system for mimicking the natural movement of an ankle in a relaxed position, the prosthetic system comprising:
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a prosthetic foot; a pivot assembly attached to a first location on the prosthetic foot, wherein the first location is near a natural ankle location of the prosthetic foot; a lower limb member extending in a tibial direction, the lower limb member having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the lower end of the lower limb member is operatively coupled to the pivot assembly; and an actuator coupled to the prosthetic foot and to the lower limb member, wherein the actuator is configured to adjust an angle between the lower limb member and the prosthetic foot about the pivot assembly; at least one sensor configured to detect a position of a user of the prosthetic system; and a controller configured to operate the actuator; wherein the at least one sensor is configured to transmit data to the controller indicative of when the user is in a relaxed position, said relaxed position determined by the user positioning the prosthetic system within a range of defined angles relative to a ground surface for a defined amount of time and the prosthetic system having an acceleration less than a maximum threshold value, and wherein the controller is configured to operate the actuator to cause an angle between the prosthetic foot and the lower limb assembly to increase about the pivot assembly such that the prosthetic foot becomes more plantarflexed relative to the lower limb assembly. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification