Electronically controlled prosthetic system

• US 7,029,500 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2003
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Jay Martin
• Original Assignee: James Jay Martin
• Inventors: Martin, James Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): SNOW, BRUCE EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US10/410,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20040054423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 623/24, 623/25, 623/47, 623/49, 623/50, 623/62, 623/64
• US Class Current: 623/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/581 Shoulder joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/582 Elbow joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/585 Wrist joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/605 Hip joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/64 Knee joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/6607 Ankle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/70 electrical
• 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 2002/5004 operated by electro- or magnetorheological fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5018 for adjusting angular orientation
• 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 2002/5032 for adjusting fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5033 for adjusting damping
• 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 2002/6621 Toes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6642 Heels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6685 : S-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6818 : for braking
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6854 : for locking or unlocking a joint
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6863 : magnetic
• 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 2002/705 : Electromagnetic data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7635 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7655 : for measuring fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/008 : Alarm means

Abstract

A prosthetic joint system for users comprising a housing having an interior cavity, a center axis in said interior cavity, and an attachment means for fixedly connecting said housing to said user; an inner cylinder disposed in said housing interior cavity wherein said inner cylinder rotates around said center axis of said housing; an appendage attached to said inner cylinder; a sensor system attached to said appendage; and a dampening system, having a power source, in communication with said sensor system, said inner cylinder, and said housing for controlling dampening of the rotation of said inner cylinder around said center axis of said housing.

Claims

1. A prosthetic ankle joint system for users comprising:

a housing having an interior cavity, a center axis in said interior cavity, and an attachment means for fixedly connecting said housing to said user;

an inner cylinder disposed in said housing interior cavity wherein said inner cylinder rotates around said center axis of said housing;

a keel attached to said inner cylinder;

a sensor system located in said interior cavity of said housing having an angle sensor for determining said inner cylinder rotation amount respective to said housing;

a dampening system in communication with said sensor system,

said inner cylinder, and said housing for controlling dampening of the rotation of

said inner cylinder around said center axis of said housing, comprising;

a microprocessor for processing said communication between said sensor system, said inner cylinder, said housing, and wherein said dampening of the rotation is programably adjustable;

MR fluid in communication with said housing, said inner cylinder, and said microprocessor for electronically controlling said dampening of rotation; and

a power source for operating said microprocessor.

2. A prosthetic ankle joint system of claim 1 wherein said sensor system further includes a heel load sensor.

3. A prosthetic ankle joint system of claim 2 wherein said sensor system further includes a toe load sensor.

4. A prosthetic ankle joint system of claim 1 wherein said microprocessor further includes a time clock integrated with said processing.