Lower limb prosthesis with knee flexion control during descent of a downward incline
US10285827B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2012 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2002/7645
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A lower limb prosthesis comprises an attachment section (10), a shin section (12), a foot section (14), a knee joint (16) pivotally connecting the attachment section (10) and the shin section (12), and an ankle joint (22) pivotally connecting the shin section (12) and the foot section (14). The knee joint includes a dynamically adjustable knee flexion control device (18) for damping knee flexion. The prosthesis further comprises a plurality of sensors (52, 53, 54, 85, 87) each arranged to generate sensor signals indicative of at least one respective kinetic or kinematic parameter of locomotion or of walking environment, and an electronic control system (100) coupled to the sensors (52, 53, 54, 85, 87) and to the knee flexion control device (18) in order dynamically and automatically to modify the flexion control setting of the knee joint (16) in response to signals from the sensors. When the inclination sensor signals indicate descent of a downward incline, the damping resistance of the knee flexion control device (18) is set to a first level during a major part of the stance phase of the gait cycle and to a second, lower level during a major part of the swing phase of the gait cyc…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.