Instrumented prosthetic foot

• US 8,323,354 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2012
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Victhom Human Bionics Inc. (Ergoresearch Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Victhom Human Bionics Inc. (Ergoresearch Ltd.)
• Inventors: Bedard, Stephane, Roy, Pierre-Olivier
• Primary Examiner(s): Matthews, William H.
• Application Number:
  US13/436,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20120191220A1
• Time in Patent Office: 249 Days
• Field of Search: 623/26, 623 47- 56
• US Class Current: 623/47
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/66 Feet; 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 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 2002/6621 Toes
• 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 2002/705 Electromagnetic data transfer for implantable prostheses A61F2250/0002
• 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

Abstract

The present invention discloses an instrumented prosthetic foot for use with an actuated leg prosthesis controlled by a controller, the instrumented prosthetic foot comprising a connector to connect the instrumented prosthetic foot to the leg prosthesis, an ankle structure connected to the connector, a ground engaging member connected to the ankle, at least one sensor for detecting changes in weight distribution along the foot, and an interface for transmitting signals from the sensor to the controller.

Claims

1. A prosthetic foot and ankle system, comprising:

a prosthetic foot comprising at least one elongated foot plate having a toe region and a heel region;

an ankle structure pivotally connected to the elongated foot;

a pyramid connector mounted to the ankle structure to operably connect the prosthetic foot and ankle system to a user;

an ankle encoder positioned on the ankle structure about its pivot axis configured to measure the rotation of the ankle structure about its pivot axis;

a sensor positioned on the ankle structure configured to measure pressure or force caused by the prosthetic foot interacting with the ground; and

a controller configured to receive data from the ankle encoder and the sensor and configured to determine the torque at the ankle structure using the received data.

2. A prosthetic foot and ankle system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to measure an axial pressure or force.

3. A prosthetic foot and ankle system according to claim 1, further being associated with an active actuator controlled by the controller.

4. A prosthetic foot and ankle system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the pressure or force at the connector using the received data.

5. A prosthetic foot and ankle system according to claim 1, wherein the ankle encoder and the sensor transmit signals to the controller using a wired connection.

6. A prosthetic foot and ankle system according to claim 1, wherein the ankle encoder and the sensor transmit signals to the controller using a wireless connection.

7. A prosthetic foot and ankle system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a load cell.