Control system for knee joint
US4711242A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 18, 1986 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/36003
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for controlling the movement of a human knee joint during stimulated flexion thereof. The system includes a brace having an over-center hinge at the knee joint. This hinge causes the knee joint to lock under load when the hinge is opened less than a predetermined angle. A sensor senses the angle of opening of the hinge joint and generates a corresponding sensing signal for use by a computer connected for controlling the stimulation of the knee. The computer is programmed for avoiding increases in the stimulation signal when the hinge joint has an angle of opening which is less than some predetermined angle greater than zero and not greater than the critical angle of the hinge.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.