Prosthetic ankle joint mechanism
US8740991B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2220/0033
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A prosthetic foot and ankle assembly includes a foot component and an ankle joint mounted thereto and having a fixed range of dorsi-plantar flexion. The ankle joint includes a joint mechanism in the form of a hydraulic linear piston and cylinder assembly having a pair of chambers on opposite sides of the piston to provide hydraulic damping continuously over the range of dorsi-plantar flexion. The joint mechanism further includes a valve arrangement controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid between the chambers. The valve arrangement includes first and second adjustable valves for independently controlling dorsi-flexion damping resistance and plantar-flexion damping resistance respectively. The joint mechanism includes a first flexion limiter that limits dorsi-flexion of the joint mechanism to a dorsi-flexion limit and a second flexion limiter that limits plantar-flexion of the joint mechanism to a plantar-flexion limit, thereby defining the fixed range of dorsi-plantar flexion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.