Knee mechanism for an artificial limb
US5800567A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 1, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2230/0028
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A knee mechanism for a lower limb prosthesis which maintains knee stability over an initial range of flexion and includes an upper member for connection to or forming part of the thigh component of a prosthesis, a lower member for connection to or forming part of the shin component of a prosthesis, and a slider and a crank connecting the upper member to the lower member. The locus of the instantaneous center of rotation of the mechanism is a curve which commences above the knee and posterior to the load line and which, over an initial range of flexion of the mechanism, moves continuously downwards and to the posterior, the curve being convex towards the posterior. The lower member, the slider and the crank preferably constitute a slider crank mechanism with the crank pivotally connected to the upper and lower members and the slider pivotally connected to the lower member and slidably connected to the upper member. At full extension the crank is inclined posteriorly and upwardly, with the pivotable connection with the upper member located below the pivotable connection with the lower member. The slider is located in a track which forms part of the upper member and may move with a ro…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.