Shock module prosthesis

An impact and torque absorbing prosthetic shock module comprising:

• an elongated upper pylon;
• an elongated lower pylon adapted to move axially and rotationally with respect to said upper pylon;
• a resilient element resisting relative axial displacement of said pylons;
• and
• a torque-resisting cuff providing torsional resistance to relative rotational motion between said pylons;
• wherein the longitudinal axis of said upper pylon and the longitudinal axis of said lower pylon are maintained in a generally colinear alignment.

A shock absorbing prosthesis, comprising:

• an upper support member;
• a lower support member, said upper and lower support members being coaxially and slidably supported relative to one another;
• and
• a flexible tubular member secured between said upper and lower support members so as to provide resistance to relative rotation between said upper and lower support members.

An impact absorbing lower limb prosthesis, comprising:

• an outer tube having a longitudinal interior, a proximal end and a distal end, said longitudinal interior having a polygonal cross-section along at least a section of its span, said distal end being attachable to a prosthetic foot, said outer tube housing a support within the interior of said outer tube;
• an inner shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal cavity, said proximal end being attachable to a socket for receiving a stump of an amputee, said inner shaft having a polygonal outer cross-section that is closely enveloped by at least a portion of said section of said longitudinal interior of said outer tube, said inner shaft being mounted to move axially with respect to said outer tube;
• and
• a coil spring having an upper portion residing in said longitudinal cavity of said inner shaft and an upper end fixed in position relative to said inner shaft, said coil spring having a lower end attached such that said lower end is fixed in position relative to said outer tube, said coil spring capable of a smooth response to loading and unloading via compression and extension, said compression and extension of said coil spring controlling relative motion between said outer tube and said inner shaft;
• whereby, the loading/unloading characteristics of said prosthesis to vertical compressive loads may be adjusted according to the particular weight of said amputee by selectively varying the spring characteristics of said coil spring.

An impact absorbing lower limb prosthesis, comprising:

• an outer tube;
• an inner shaft having a hollow interior, said inner shaft reciprocatingly interfitted with said outer tube;
• and
• resilient means operatively attached or disposed between said outer tube and said inner shaft, said resilient means being provided by an internal coil spring, said coil spring being free of pre-loading stress so as to provide a smooth or non-jarring compression initiation and a smooth or non-jarring extension termination;
• whereby said prosthesis simulates a shock absorber when subjected to vertical compressive loads.