Patent · US Expired

Dynamic seals for a prosthetic knee

US7455696B2 · kind B2 · utility

104Cited by
132References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 6, 2005
Grant dateNov 25, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 15, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F2002/769
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention in some embodiments relates to a dynamic seal for a prosthetic knee. The dynamic seal in one embodiment is utilized to seal a magnetorheological fluid comprising a liquid and solid particles within a chamber of the knee. The dynamic seal embodiments are specially configured with a pre-loaded tensioned garter spring which has a coil spacing that is at least as large as the size of the particles or maximum size of the particles in the magnetorheological fluid. Desirably, this allows the magnetorheological fluid particles to flow in and out of the dynamic seal without clogging the seal and advantageously provides for a reliable dynamic seal.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.