Orthosis knee joint
AssigneeBecker Orthopedic Appliance Company
InventorsJonathan M. Naft, Wyatt S. Newman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A selectively lockable orthotic joint is provided that in one embodiment includes at least one pressure sensor and an electronic circuit associated with the pressure sensor for generating or providing a control signal indicative of pressure, force or other value sensed by the sensor. A mechanical orthotic joint is provided that has a locking mechanism that can be selectively locked and unlocked in response to the control signal.
Claims10
A method for selectively locking and unlocking an orthotic device associated with a leg of a person comprising a selectively lockable orthotic joint having at least one pressure sensor;
- an electronic circuit associated with said pressure sensor for generating a control signal indicative of at least a threshold pressure sensed by said sensor;
- and the orthotic joint having a locking mechanism which can be selectively locked allowing extension and preventing flexion and unlocked allowing extension and flexion in response to the sensed pressure, comprising:
- sensing pressure exerted by the person's foot with the pressure sensor that communicates with the electronic circuit;
- and
- controlling the orthotic joint with the electronic circuit during walking by the person, the electronic circuit causing the orthotic joint to be in a locked position that prevents flexion and permits extension when at least a threshold pressure is sensed by the sensor and in an unlocked position when less than the threshold pressure is sensed by the sensor.
A selectively lockable orthotic device for association with the leg of a person comprising:
- a selectively lockable mechanical orthotic knee joint that is capable of flexion and extension movement and having a locking mechanism that includes means for rigidly locking the knee joint to prevent flexion and to permit extension of the knee joint when the knee joint is in a locked position and which locking mechanism permits flexion and extension of the knee joint when the knee joint is in an unlocked position;
- a pressure sensor for sensing a threshold pressure exerted by the person's foot during walking that is indicative of a person placing at least a portion of his weight on the leg associated with the device;
- and
- an electronic control circuit for controlling said means for rigidly locking and unlocking of the knee joint during walking that causes the knee joint to be in the locked position when at least the threshold pressure is placed on the foot of the person and sensed by the pressure sensor and in the unlocked position when less than the threshold pressure is placed on the person's foot and sensed by the pressure sensor.
An orthotic device comprising:
- at least one pressure sensor which generates a locking control signal when at least a threshold pressure level is sensed;
- at least one mechanical orthotic joint having a locking mechanism which can be selectively locked to prevent flexion and to permit extension and unlocked to permit flexion and extension in response to the presence or absence of the locking signal respectively, said joint further comprising an electromagnetic coil that is energized when said control signal is received;
- an electronic circuit operatively connecting said pressure sensor to said orthotic joint;
- a spring washer which is deflectable in an axial direction when said electromagnetic coil is energized;
- a first plate having a face comprised of a plurality of spaced teeth;
- and
- a second plate having a face comprised of a plurality of spaced teeth which are complementary to said plurality of spaced teeth of said first plate, said second plate being deflectable in an axial direction such that said plurality of spaced teeth of said second plate engage said plurality of spaced teeth of said first plate when said electromagnetic coil is energized, wherein said first and second plates are immovable with respect to each other thereby preventing movement of said orthotic joint in the flexion direction and being moveable in the extension direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.