METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROL OF A PROSTHETIC

• US 20080243265A1
• Filed: 02/06/2008
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Lanier, Gregory R., Perry, N. Christopher, Van der Merwe, Dirk A., Pascoe, Andrew P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,821,587 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/54 Artificial arms or hands or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/583 Hands; Wrist joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/72 Bioelectric control, e.g. myoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/741 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors or solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/78 Means for protecting prostheses or for attaching them to the body, e.g. bandages, harnesses, straps, or stockings for the limb stump
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6827 Feedback system for providing user sensation, e.g. by force, contact or position
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6872 attached and mechanically operated by remaining muscle bioelectrical control A61F2/72
• 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 for implantable prostheses A61F2250/0002
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/707 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/762 for measuring dimensions, e.g. a distance
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7625 for measuring angular position
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/763 for measuring spatial position, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
• 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 2002/7685 located on natural or sound-site limbs, e.g. comparison measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7862 : Harnesses, straps for connecting prosthetic parts A61F2002/30462

Abstract

A prosthetic device control apparatus is disclosed. The control apparatus includes at least one sensor worn by a user. The sensor(s) determines a user'"'"'s movement. Also, a control module in communication with the sensor(s). The control module communicates movement information to a prosthetic. Also, a method for controlling a prosthetic device is disclosed. The method includes sensing a user'"'"'s movement, communicating the movement through a control module to a prosthetic device; and controlling the movement of a prosthetic device.

Claims

1. A prosthetic device control apparatus comprising:

at least one sensor detecting body input; and

a control module in communication with said at least one sensor;

wherein said control module communicates movement information to a prosthetic.

2. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor detects movement of a joystick.

3. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is disposed in footwear.

4. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is disposed on a bottom surface of a sole of footwear.

5. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control module is disposed in footwear.

6. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is disposed on a roof of footwear.

7. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control module is in wireless communication with the at least one sensor.

8. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control module is in wireless communication with the prosthetic.

9. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement information communicated to the prosthetic is substantially proportional to the body input detected by the at least one sensor.

10. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is disposed in a prosthetic support apparatus.

11. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor receives body input from a residuum.

12. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is a discrete switch.

13. A prosthetic device control apparatus comprising:

a sensor detecting movement in at least two degrees of freedom, the sensor being disposed in footwear; and

an electronic controller that is operably connected to the sensor for controlling an associated device.

14. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the electronic controller is disposed in footwear.

15. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the electronic controller is in wireless communication with the at least one sensor.

16. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the electronic controller is in wireless communication with the associated device.

17. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor is a discrete switch.

18. The prosthetic device control apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor is disposed on a roof of footwear.

19. A method for controlling a prosthetic device, the method comprising the steps of:

sensing body input;

communicating sensed body input to a control module; and

controlling movement of the prosthetic device based on the sensed body input.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the body input is pressure input from a foot.