Prosthetic pylon having an enclosed compressible volume of fluid to support a patient's weight
US6402788B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 17, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2310/00047
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A pylon includes a first end portion connected to a patient's leg stump and a second end portion connected to a prosthetic foot. The second end portion includes a piston, and the first end portion includes a piston chamber receiving the piston. The second end portion is thus rotatable and axially movable relative to the first end portion about and along a longitudinal axis of the pylon, respectively. The piston chamber encloses a compressible volume of fluid through which substantially all of the patient's weight applied through the patient's leg stump is supported. The compressible volume of fluid is sealed so that it can be pressurized. Also, a torsional spring couples the piston and piston chamber and resists relative rotation between the piston and piston chamber without supporting any substantial portion of the patient's weight applied through the patient's leg stump to the piston. The present invention thus advantageously provides a pylon which is more cushioned and resilient than conventional pylons.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.