Foot prosthesis

• US 6,972,043 B1
• Filed: 11/24/2000
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
• Original Assignee: Biedermann Motech GmbH
• Inventors: Schneider, Urs, Biedermann, Lutz
• Primary Examiner(s): Stewart, Alvin J.
• Application Number:
  US09/914,256
• Time in Patent Office: 1,838 Days
• Field of Search: 623/55, 623/54, 623/53, 623/47, 623/49, 623/56
• US Class Current: 623/55
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/66 Feet; 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 2002/30014 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30428 made by inserting a protrusion into a slot
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5007 having elastic means different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric insert elastic coating A61F2002/3007; springs A61F2002/5072; plate-like springs for feet A61F2002/6657
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/503 for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension
• 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 2002/6614 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6621 Toes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6642 Heels
• 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 2002/6664 Dual structures made of two connected cantilevered leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6671 C-shaped
• 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 2250/0018 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility

Abstract

There is provided a foot prosthesis having especially good gait characteristics. To that end, the prosthesis comprises a first spring element 1 extending from the toe region to the lower leg region and a second spring element 2 extending from the heel region to the lower leg region. The spring elements are formed as leaf-type elements and are connected to each other by their lower leg side first ends 4, 7. There is provided a tension element 9 which is connected in the forward region of the foot with its one end and connected in the heel region 6 to the second spring element.

Claims

1. A foot prosthesis comprising:

a first spring element having two free ends, the first free end extends from a toe region and the second free end extends to a lower leg region;

a second spring element extending from a heel region to said lower leg region;

said spring elements being connected to each other at said lower leg region; and

a ribbon-like tension element having two ends, which is connected with its one end to a forward region of the first spring element and connected with its other end at said heel region of the second spring element,

wherein said tension element is structured and arranged to be able to transmit only a tension force between its one end and its other end.

2. The foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an adapter that connects the spring elements at the lower leg region for connection to a lower leg portion.

3. The foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tension element is firmly connected to a ground-side of each of said spring elements.

4. The foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second spring elements are formed as a concave shape when viewed from the top.

5. The foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second spring elements comprise a carbon fiber composite material and said tension element comprises a stretch-free material.

6. The foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second spring elements are each a leaf spring having a ground-side surface, the springs being arranged and structured to rest against each other with their ground-side surfaces facing each other.

7. The foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 6, wherein said tension element is firmly connected to the ground-side surface of the forward region of the first spring element and of the heel region of the second spring element.

8. The foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 6, wherein said tension element is fixed at the forward end of said first spring element on an upper side thereof such, said first spring element having a slit-like opening in said forward region through which said tension element is fed toward said second spring element.

9. The foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tension element is fixed at the forward end of said first spring element on an upper side thereof such, said first spring element having a slit-like opening in said forward region through which said tension element is fed toward said second spring element.

10. A foot prosthesis comprising:

a first spring element having two free ends, the first free end extends from a toe region and the second free end extends to a lower leg region;

a second spring element extending from a heel region to said lower leg region;

said spring elements being connected to each other at said lower leg region; and

a ribbon-like tension element having two ends, which is connected with its one end to a forward region of the first spring element and connected with its other end at said heel region of the second spring element,

wherein the first and second spring elements are each a leaf spring having a ground-side surface, the springs being arranged and structured to contact and rest against each other with their ground-side surfaces facing each other.

11. The foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 10, wherein said tension element is firmly connected to the ground-side surface of the forward region of the first spring element and of the heel region of the second spring element.

12. The foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 10, wherein said tension element is fixed at the forward end of said first spring element on an upper side thereof such, said first spring element having a slit-like opening in said forward region through which said tension element is fed toward said second spring element.

13. A foot prosthesis comprising:

a first spring element extending from a toe region to a lower leg region;

a second spring element extending from a heel region to said lower leg region;

said spring elements being connected to each other at said lower leg region; and

a tension element having two ends, which is connected with its one end to a forward region of the first spring element and connected with its other end at said heel region of the second spring element,

wherein said tension element is fixed at the forward end of said first spring element on an upper side thereof such, said first spring element having a slit-like opening in said forward region through which said tension element is fed toward said second spring element.

14. The foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first and second spring elements are formed as a concave shape when viewed from the top.

15. The foot prosthesis as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first and second spring elements comprise a carbon fiber composite material and said tension element comprises a stretch-free material.