Prosthetic knee with a rectification hydraulic system
AssigneeProteor USA, LLC
InventorsStephen W. Prince, Jonathan M. Byars, Robert M. Glidden, IV, Hugo A. Quintero, Michael L. Palmer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described here are prosthetic systems, devices, and methods of use therefor. Generally, a prosthesis may be configured to set a resistance to rotation of a prosthetic joint based on a phase of gait. The prosthesis may include a first cylinder, a first piston slidable within the first cylinder, a fluid sump, and a fluid circuit. The fluid circuit may include a plurality of interconnected fluid channels having a unidirectional variable-resistance valve and a set of check valves that are configured to provide unidirectional flow through the valve during piston compression and extension.
Claims38
A prosthesis, comprising:
- a first cylinder comprising a first cylinder port and a second cylinder port;
- a first piston slidable within the first cylinder;
- a fluid sump comprising a sump port, and
- a fluid circuit, comprising:
- a first fluid channel comprising a first channel inlet, a first channel outlet, and a unidirectional variable-resistance valve configured to set a variable resistance to fluid flow through the first fluid channel;
- a second fluid channel comprising a second channel inlet, a second channel outlet, and a second channel check valve;
- a third fluid channel comprising a third channel inlet, a third channel outlet, and a third channel check valve;
- a fourth fluid channel comprising a fourth channel inlet, a fourth channel outlet, and a fourth channel check valve;
- a fifth fluid channel comprising a fifth channel inlet, a fifth channel outlet, and a fifth channel check valve;
- a first intersection comprising the first channel inlet, the second channel outlet, and the fifth channel outlet;
- a second intersection comprising the first cylinder port, the second channel inlet, and the third channel outlet;
- a third intersection comprising the sump port, the third channel inlet, and the fourth channel inlet;
- and
- a fourth intersection comprising the second cylinder port, the fourth channel outlet, and the fifth channel inlet.
A fluid circuit, comprising:
- a first fluid channel comprising a first channel inlet, a first channel outlet, and a unidirectional variable-resistance valve configured to set a variable resistance to flow through the first fluid channel;
- a second fluid channel comprising a second channel inlet, a second channel outlet, and a second channel check valve;
- a third fluid channel comprising a third channel inlet, a third channel outlet and a third channel check valve;
- a fourth fluid channel comprising a fourth channel inlet, a fourth channel outlet, and a fourth channel check valve;
- a fifth fluid channel comprising a fifth channel inlet, a fifth channel outlet and a fifth channel check valve;
- a first intersection comprising the first channel inlet, the second channel outlet, and the fifth channel outlet;
- a second intersection comprising a first bi-directional channel, the second channel inlet and the third channel outlet;
- a third intersection comprising a second bi-directional channel , the third channel inlet and the fourth channel inlet;
- and
- a fourth intersection comprising a third bi-directional channel, the fourth channel outlet and the fifth channel inlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.