FOOT PROSTHESIS WITH RESILIENT MULTI-AXIAL ANKLE

• US 20120010730A1
• Filed: 08/02/2011
• Published: 01/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arinbjorn Viggo Clausen, Christophe Guy Lecomte, Heidrun Gigja Ragnarsdottir, Hjordis Thorhallsdottir
• Original Assignee: Arinbjorn Viggo Clausen, Christophe Guy Lecomte, Heidrun Gigja Ragnarsdottir, Hjordis Thorhallsdottir
• Inventors: Lecomte, Christophe Guy, Thorhallsdottir, Hjordis, Ragnarsdottir, Heidrun Gigja, Clausen, Arinbjorn Viggo
• Granted Patent: US 9,132,022 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/55
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/66 Feet; Ankle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/6607 Ankle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3007 Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of elastic material, e.g. of elastomer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30708 Means for distinguishing between left-sided and right-sided devices, Sets comprising both left-sided and right-sided prosthetic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5001 Cosmetic coverings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5003 having damping means, e.g. shock absorbers for implantable joints A61F2002/30563
• 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 2002/5009 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 2002/5055 Reinforcing prostheses by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping, e.g. carbon fibre composites
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5066 Muscles implantable A61F2002/0894
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6614 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6621 Toes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6628 Big toes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6635 Metatarsals
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6642 Heels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/665 Soles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6685 S-shaped
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0029 : differing in bending or flexure capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0036 : differing in thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0084 : Means for distinguishing between left-sided and right-sided devices; Sets comprising both left-sided and right-sided prosthetic parts

Abstract

The present foot prosthesis includes various structural features that provide the foot with advantageous rollover properties. In certain embodiments, the foot guides rollover toward the medial side. For example, an asymmetrical upper element and a correspondingly shaped resilient ankle member support more of the wearer'"'"'s weight on the lateral side as the foot rolls over. In another embodiment, stiffeners added to the resilient ankle member increase the stiffness on the lateral side relative to the medial side. In certain other embodiments, the foot provides progressively increasing support from mid stance through toe off. For example, a gap between the resilient ankle member and the lower element closes during the later portion of the wearer'"'"'s gait. The closing gap increases a contact area between the resilient ankle member and the lower element, providing progressively increasing support. In another embodiment, the foot includes a gap between a lower front edge of an attachment adapter and the upper element. The gap may be filled with a resilient material.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A prosthetic foot system, comprising:

a prosthetic foot having an elongate foot element; and

means for providing guided rollover of the prosthetic foot during use, wherein guided rollover comprises guiding a center of mass of the prosthetic foot toward a medial side of the prosthetic foot as a wearer progresses from mid stance to toe off.

16. The prosthetic foot system of claim 15, wherein the elongate foot element is plate-like.

17. The prosthetic foot system of claim 15, wherein the elongate foot element has a variable thickness along its length, a toe portion and a heel portion being thinner than an arch portion.

18. The prosthetic foot system of claim 15, further comprising an upper element placed adjacent the elongate foot element and operably connected thereto.

19. The prosthetic foot system of claim 18, wherein the elongate foot element comprises a heel portion extending in a posterior direction, a toe portion extending in an anterior direction, and a curved arch portion between the heel portion and the toe portion.

20. The prosthetic foot system of claim 18, wherein the elongate foot element and upper element are connected via a resilient ankle member between the elongate foot element and upper element.

21. The prosthetic foot system of claim 18, further comprising an attachment adapter connected to an upper surface of the upper element.

22. The prosthetic foot system of claim 15, further comprising a cosmesis cover configured to removably cover the prosthetic foot.

23. The prosthetic foot system of claim 15, further comprising a functional sole connected to a lower surface of the elongate foot element.

24. The prosthetic foot system of claim 23, wherein a lateral portion of the functional sole has a stiffness greater than a medial portion.

25. The prosthetic foot system of claim 21, wherein the upper element extends forward and downward from the attachment adapter.

26. A prosthetic foot system, comprising:

a prosthetic foot having an elongate foot element;

the prosthetic foot being configured such that a scan of pressure applied by the foot to a walking surface as the foot rolls over from heel strike to toe off provides indicators of center of pressure traveling in a substantially straight line from heel strike to mid stance and then curving toward a medial side of the foot from mid stance to toe off.

27. The prosthetic foot system of claim 26, wherein the indicators of center of pressure are substantially uniformly spaced.

28. The prosthetic foot system of claim 26, wherein the scan approximates a scan of pressure applied by a natural human foot to the walking surface.

29. The prosthetic foot system of claim 26, further comprising a resilient and compressible material connected to a lower surface of the elongate foot element, a lateral portion of the material having a stiffness greater than a medical portion.

30. The prosthetic foot system of claim 26, wherein the elongate foot element comprises two blades arranged side-by-side.

31. The prosthetic foot system of claim 26, further comprising a cosmesis cover configured to removably cover the prosthetic foot.

32. A method of operating a prosthetic foot, comprising:

providing a prosthetic foot configured to provide guided rollover toward a medial side of the prosthetic foot from mid stance to toe off during use; and

operating said foot over a surface from heel strike to toe off, wherein a center of pressure of said foot during operation first follows a substantially straight line from heel strike to mid stance and then curves toward a medial side of the foot from mid stance to toe off.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein during operation the center of pressure starts from a location corresponding to the center of the heel of a wearer and curves medially toward a location corresponding to the wearer'"'"'s first and second toes.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the prosthetic foot comprises a lateral portion that is relatively stiffer and a medial portion that is relatively softer.