Prosthetic foot assembly having improved resilient cushions and components

• US 6,537,322 B1
• Filed: 03/27/2000
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Christopher Lyle Johnson, Eric Lloyd Robinson
• Original Assignee: Christopher Lyle Johnson, Eric Lloyd Robinson
• Inventors: Johnson, Christopher Lyle, Robinson, Eric Lloyd
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Application Number:
  US09/536,310
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 623/27, 623/38, 623/47-56
• US Class Current: 623/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/66 Feet; Ankle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/6607 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 2002/30065 thermoplastic, i.e. softening or fusing when heated, and hardening and becoming rigid again when cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30069 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30112 Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30113 circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30125 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3013 figure-"8"- or hourglass-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30153 rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30154 square
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30158 trapezoidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30215 Stepped cones, i.e. having discrete diameter changes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30233 Stepped cylinders, i.e. having discrete diameter changes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30276 frustopyramidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30327 differing in diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30405 made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30492 using a locking pin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30494 Cooperating protrusions and recesses, e.g. radial serrations, located on abutting end surfaces of a longitudinal connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30706 : specially designed for children, e.g. having means for adjusting to their growth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3071 : Identification means; Administration of patients
• 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 2002/5009 : having two or more elastomeric blocks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/503 : for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5038 : Hinged joint, e.g. with transverse axle restricting the movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5039 : allowing only for single rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5041 : having bearing bushes between the rotating parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5043 : with rotation-limiting stops, e.g. projections or recesses
• 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 2002/5083 : modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5087 : Sound-damping or noise-reducing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6621 : Toes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6628 : Big toes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6642 : Heels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/665 : Soles
• 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 2210/0071 : thermoplastic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 : using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0004 : Rounded shapes, e.g. with rounded corners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0006 : circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0008 : elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/001 : Figure-8-shaped, e.g. hourglass-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0019 : rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0021 : square
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0026 : trapezoidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 : conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0086 : Pyramidal, tetrahedral, or wedge-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 : differing in diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0082 : specially designed for children, e.g. having means for adjusting to their growth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0089 : coded with symbols, e.g. dots, numbers, letters, words
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 : Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys

Abstract

A prosthetic foot assembly includes an ankle member, a heel member pivotally connected to the ankle member, an elongate metatarsal-toe member having a rear portion underlying a forward portion of the heel member and projecting forwardly from the heel member. The metatarsal-toe member is pivotally connected to the heel member. A first compressible element is engaged between a portion of the ankle member and a portion of the heel member and a second compressible element having first and second substantially circular bearing surfaces engaged between a portion of the heel member and a portion of the metatarsal-toe member to resist upward pivotal movement of a forward end of the metatarsal-toe member relative to the heel member. A portion of the compressible element spaced apart from one of the bearing surfaces has a smaller diameter than the diameter of at least one of the first and second bearing surfaces. Also disclosed is a prosthetic foot assembly incorporating noise abatement features including surface treatments and modified compressible elements or pads.

Claims

1. A prosthetic foot assembly, said assembly comprising:

an ankle member;

a heel member pivotally connected to said ankle member;

an elongate metatarsal-toe member having a rear portion underlying a forward portion of said heel member and projecting forwardly from said heel member, said metatarsal-toe member being pivotally connected to said heel member;

a first compressible element engaged between a portion of said ankle member and a portion of said heel member; and

a second compressible element of unitary construction having first and second substantially circular bearing surfaces engaged between a portion of said heel member and a portion of said metatarsal-toe member to resist upward pivotal movement of a forward end of said metatarsal-toe member relative to said heel member, wherein said second compressible element has a longitudinally convex portion proximate to each said first and said second bearing surfaces, said longitudinally convex portions defining therebetween an intermediate portion of said compressible element having a smaller diameter than the diameter of at least one of said first and second bearing surfaces.

2. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the diameter of intermediate apart portion is smaller than the diameter of said second bearing surface and larger than said first bearing surface.

3. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the diameter of said intermediate portion is smaller than the diameter of both said first bearing surface and said second bearing surface.

4. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein said intermediate portion is a median portion of said compressible element, said median portion having a smaller diameter than the diameter of said first and said second bearing surfaces.

5. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second compressible element includes a protuberance extending from said second bearing surface to engage a recess in said metatarsal-toe member.

6. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second compressible element is constructed of a resilient material.

7. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said resilient material is an elastomer.

8. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said resilient material is polyurethane.

9. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said heel member includes a recess for receiving and retaining a low friction element therein.

10. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein said low friction element is positioned between said heel member and said first compressible element whereby under loading conditions, said heel member is able to slide across said first compressible element.

11. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ankle member includes a recess for receiving and retaining a low friction element therein.

12. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein said low friction element is positioned between said ankle member and said second compressible element whereby under loading conditions, said ankle member is able to slide across said second compressible element.

13. A prosthetic foot assembly, said assembly comprising:

an ankle member, said ankle member including a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface;

a heel member pivotally connected to said ankle member by a first axle, said heel member including a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface;

an elongate metatarsal-toe member having a rear portion underlying a forward portion of said heel member and projecting forwardly from said heel member, said metatarsal-toe member being pivotally connected to said heel member by a second axle;

a first compressible element having first and second bearing surfaces engagingly disposed between a portion of said heel member and a portion of said ankle member and rearward of said first axle;

a second compressible element having first and second bearing surfaces engagingly disposed between a portion of said heel member and a portion of said ankle member and forward of said second axle; and

said first bearing surface of said first compressible element engaging said first engagement surface of said ankle member, said first bearing surface of said first compressible element being interrupted with respect to said first engagement surface of said ankle member thereby providing discontinuities in a contact between said first bearing surface of said first compressible element and said first engagement surface of said ankle member for the purpose of noise abatement when said surfaces separate during use.

14. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first compressible element has a substantially keystone shape.

15. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said interrupted surface of said first compressible element includes grooves disposed therein.

16. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said interrupted surface of said first compressible element includes protrusions extending therefrom.

17. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said interrupted surface of said first compressible element is roughened.

18. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said interrupted surface of said first compressible element is textured.

19. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said interrupted surface of said first compressible element is rounded.

20. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said interrupted surface of said first compressible element includes depressions disposed therein.

21. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first engagement surface of said ankle member is interrupted.

22. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 21, wherein said interrupted first engagement surface of said ankle member is roughened.

23. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first compressible element includes a protuberance extending from said second bearing surface to engage a recess in said first engagement surface of said heel member.

24. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first bearing surface of said second compressible element engages said second engagement surface of said heel member, said first bearing surface of said second compressible element being interrupted with respect to said second engagement surface of said heel member thereby providing discontinuities in a contact between said first bearing surface of said second compressible element and said second engagement surface of said heel member for the purpose of noise abatement when said surfaces separate during use.

25. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 24, wherein said interrupted surface of said second compressible element includes at least one groove disposed therein.

26. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 24, wherein said interrupted surface of said second compressible element includes protrusions extending therefrom.

27. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 24, wherein said interrupted surface of said second compressible element is roughened.

28. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 24, wherein said interrupted surface of said second compressible element is textured.

29. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 24, wherein said interrupted surface of said second compressible element includes depressions disposed therein.

30. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said second engagement surface of said heel member is interrupted.

31. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 30, wherein said interrupted second engagement surface of said heel member is roughened.

32. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said second bearing surface of said second compressive element includes a protuberance extending from said second bearing surface to engage a recess in said second engagement surface of said ankle member.

33. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 32, wherein said second bearing surface of said second compressive element engages said second engagement surface of said ankle member, said second bearing surface of said second compressible element being interrupted.

34. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 33, wherein said interrupted surface of said second compressible element includes grooves disposed therein.

35. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 33, wherein said interrupted surface of said second compressible element includes protrusions extending therefrom.

36. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 33, wherein said interrupted surface of said second compressible element is roughened.

37. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 33, wherein said interrupted surface of said second compressible element is textured.

38. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 33, wherein said interrupted surface of said second compressible element includes depressions disposed therein.

39. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first and said second compressible element are constructed of a resilient material.

40. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 39, wherein said resilient material is an elastomer.

41. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 39, wherein said resilient material is polyurethane.

42. A prosthetic foot assembly as set forth in claim 13 including a third compressible element having first and second substantially circular bearing surfaces engaged between a portion of said heel member and a portion of said metatarsal-toe member to resist upward pivotal movement of said forward end of said metatarsal-toe member relative to said heel member, and wherein a median portion of said third compressible element has a smaller diameter than the diameter of said first and second bearing surfaces.