Active shock module prosthesis
AssigneesOssur Hf, Van L. Phillips
InventorVan L. Phillips
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An impact-absorbing shock module comprises two pylons telescopingly engaged to permit axial and rotational motion therebetween. A resilient element, such as a spring-fluid combination, a plurality of interconnected disks, or a Belleville spring, provides axial shock absorption. A tubular torque-resisting cuff provides rotational resistance, or torsion-resistance. A fluid valve is optionally provided so that the fluid pressure may be varied to adjust the torsion resistance.
Claims52
An impact and torque absorbing prosthetic shock module, comprising:
- an outer pylon having a proximal end and a distal end, said outer pylon having at least one internally threaded surface;
- an inner pylon having a proximal end and a distal end telescopingly engaged with said outer pylon so that an annular interface is formed between said pylons, said inner pylon adapted to move axially and rotationally with respect to said outer pylon;
- a resilient element within said inner pylon having a proximal end and a distal end and being sized and configured to resist relative axial displacement of said pylons;
- and
- a torque-resisting cuff connecting the pylons and providing torsional resistance to relative rotational motion between said pylons.
An impact and torque absorbing prosthetic shock module, comprising:
- an elongated upper pylon and an elongated lower pylon adapted to move axially and rotationally with respect to said upper pylon, wherein at least one of said upper and lower pylons has an internally threaded surface;
- a resilient element having a proximal end and a distal end resisting relative axial displacement of said pylons;
- and
- a support member threadingly engaged with said internally threaded surface, said support member providing a base for supporting one of the ends of the resilient element;
- wherein the longitudinal axis of said upper pylon and the longitudinal axis of said lower pylon are maintained in a generally colinear relationship.
An impact and torque absorbing prosthetic shock module, comprising:
- a first pylon having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a second pylon having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- a resilient element comprising a plurality of interconnected disks, the resilient element having a first end connected to the first pylon and a second end connected to the second pylon.
A vertical shock absorbing prosthesis for a lower limb prosthesis for reducing the impact forces upon a stump of an amputee and adapted to be positioned between the stump and a foot member contacting the ground, comprising:
- a substantially rigid outer pylon having a proximal and a distal end;
- a substantially rigid inner pylon having a proximal and a distal portion, said proximal portion of said inner pylon positioned within said distal end of said outer pylon and adapted for axial motion therein;
- and
- a compression member positioned between said proximal end of said outer pylon and said proximal portion of said inner pylon, said compression member having a somewhat gradual, nonlinear deflection response to loading, said compression member compressed when said inner pylon is pushed toward said proximal end of said outer pylon from impact of the foot member with the ground such that energy from a force upon the stump of the amputee is at least partially captured by said compression member, said compression member releasing the stored energy upon removal of the force to restore said inner pylon to its original position within said outer pylon,
- whereby said compression member reaches its maximum deflection in response to large, sudden forces in a manner which is not abrupt and results in comfort for the amputee during all loading conditions upon the stump of the amputee.
A vertical shock absorbing prosthesis for a lower limb prosthesis for reducing the shock forces upon a stump of an amputee and adapted to be positioned between the stump and a foot member, comprising:
- a substantially rigid outer pylon having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a substantially rigid inner pylon having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said proximal portion positioned within said distal end of said outer pylon to form a chamber, said chamber having a variable volume depending upon the relative axial positions of said proximal end of said outer pylon and said proximal portion of said inner pylon;
- and
- a compression member disposed in said chamber, said compression member being selected and adapted to have nonlinear response characteristics under compressive loads;
- wherein when said inner pylon is pushed toward said proximal end of said outer pylon by the foot member impacting the ground said volume of said chamber is reduced and energy from shock forces upon the stump of the amputee are at least partially absorbed by said compression member, said compression member releasing the stored energy upon removal of the forces to restore said inner pylon to its original position within said outer pylon.
A vertical shock absorbing prosthesis for a lower limb prosthesis for reducing the shock forces upon a stump of an amputee and adapted to be positioned between the stump and a foot member, comprising:
- an outer pylon having a proximal end and a distal end;
- an inner pylon having a proximal end and a distal end, the inner pylon being provided at least partially within the outer pylon;
- and
- means for resisting relative axial motion between the outer pylon relative to the inner pylon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.