Quasi-Active Prosthetic Joint System

• US 20140330393A1
• Filed: 05/03/2014
• Published: 11/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ossur Iceland ehf
• Original Assignee: SpringActive, Inc.
• Inventors: Ward, Jeffrey A., Hollander, Kevin, Holgate, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,289,316 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/24
• 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 2/74 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 2002/5003 having damping means, e.g. shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5018 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/502 for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5021 for adjusting a position by translation along an axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/503 for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5075 Multiple spring systems including two or more helical springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6614 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6664 Dual structures made of two connected cantilevered leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6845 Clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6854 for locking or unlocking a joint
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/701 operated by electrically controlled means, e.g. solenoids or torque motors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/704 computer-controlled, e.g. robotic control
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7625 for measuring angular position
• 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 2002/7645 : for measuring torque, e.g. hinge or turning moment, moment of force
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A prosthetic joint device includes a foot portion and a main body pivotally coupled to the foot portion at a first joint. A first compliant member is coupled to the main body and foot portion. A first clutch is coupled to the first compliant member. An actuator is coupled to the first clutch to lock and unlock the first clutch and engage and disengage the first compliant member. A control system is coupled to the actuator to control the actuator based on a gait activity.

The first clutch is locked to engage the first compliant member. A second compliant member is coupled to the main body and foot portion. A sensor is coupled to the prosthetic joint device to measure a physical state of the prosthetic joint device. The engagement and disengagement of the first compliant member is timed based on the physical state of the prosthetic joint device.

Claims

1. A method of making a prosthetic joint device, comprising:

providing a foot portion;

providing a main body pivotally coupled to the foot portion at a first joint;

providing a first compliant member coupled to the main body and foot portion;

coupling a first clutch to the first compliant member; and

providing an actuator coupled to the first clutch to engage and disengage the first clutch.

2. The method of claim 1, further including locking the first clutch to engage the first compliant member.

3. The method of claim 1, further including providing a control system coupled to the actuator to control the actuator based on a gait activity.

4. The method of claim 1, further including coupling a second compliant member to the main body and foot portion.

5. The method of claim 4, further including:

disposing the first compliant member on a first side of the first joint; and

disposing the second compliant member on a second side of the first joint opposite the first side.

6. The method of claim 1, further including disposing a second clutch on the first joint to lock and unlock the first joint.

7. A method of controlling a prosthetic joint device, comprising:

providing a foot portion;

providing a main body coupled to the foot portion at a first joint;

providing a first compliant member coupled to the main body and foot portion;

providing an actuator coupled to the first compliant member and main body; and

triggering the actuator to engage the first compliant member during a first gait phase.

8. The method of claim 7, further including:

providing a sensor coupled to the prosthetic joint device; and

measuring a physical state of the prosthetic joint device.

9. The method of claim 8, further including triggering the actuator to control a stiffness of the first compliant member based on the physical state of the prosthetic joint device.

10. The method of claim 8, further including timing engagement and disengagement of the first compliant member based on the physical state of the prosthetic joint device.

11. The method of claim 7, further including engaging the first compliant member during the first gait phase to control an orientation of the foot portion during a second gait phase.

12. The method of claim 7, further including releasing the first compliant member during a second gait phase.

13. The method of claim 7, further including delaying release of the first compliant member.

14. A prosthetic joint device, comprising:

a foot portion;

a main body coupled to the foot portion at a first joint;

a first compliant member coupled to the main body and foot portion;

a first clutch coupled to the first compliant member; and

an actuator coupled to the first clutch.

15. The prosthetic joint device of claim 14, a second compliant member coupled to the main body and foot portion.

16. The prosthetic joint device of claim 14, further including a control system coupled to the actuator and configured to control the actuator based on a gait activity.

17. The prosthetic joint device of claim 14, wherein the clutch is configured engage and disengage the first compliant member with respect to the main body.

18. The prosthetic joint device of claim 14, further including a sensor disposed on the first joint to determine a gait activity.

19. The prosthetic joint device of claim 14, further including a second clutch coupled to the first joint.

20. A prosthetic joint device, comprising:

a foot portion;

a main body coupled to the foot portion at a first joint;

a first compliant member coupled to the main body and foot portion; and

an actuator coupled to the first compliant member.

21. The prosthetic joint device of claim 20, further including a first clutch coupled to the first compliant member or first joint.

22. The prosthetic joint device of claim 20, further including a second compliant member coupled to the main body and foot portion.

23. The prosthetic joint device of claim 20, further including a control system configured to control the actuator based on a gait activity.

24. The prosthetic joint device of claim 20, further including a second clutch coupled to the main body.

25. The prosthetic joint device of claim 20, further including a sensor disposed on the first joint to determine a gait activity.