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US 6,712,860 B2Granted
Lower leg prosthesis
AssigneeOtto Bock Healthcare GmbH
InventorsEric W. Rubie, Larry J. Hansen, Nathan A. Williams, David J. Wall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved lower leg prosthesis is disclosed for providing an improved performance, including improved stability and improved multi-axial compliance. The prosthesis includes a two-part lower foot plate, incorporating a forefoot plate and a heel plate, and an upper foot plate that is attached to the forefoot and heel plates by a two-part intermediate elastomeric layer. Forming the lower foot plate and the elastomeric layer each in two parts ensures that the forefoot plate and heel plate function substantially independently of each other, which leads to substantially improved cushioning at heel strike and to improved stability throughout the gait cycle.
Claims27
A lower leg prosthesis comprising:
- a forefoot plate and a separate heel plate, located rearward of the forefoot plate and aligned with the forefoot plate along a longitudinal axis, wherein the forefoot and heel plates are separated from each other by a first gap;
- an upper foot plate disposed above the forefoot plate and the heel plate;
- and
- an intermediate elastomeric layer for attaching the upper foot plate to the forefoot plate and to the heel plate, wherein the elastomeric layer has sufficient thickness and flexibility to allow the forefoot plate and the heel plate to move relative to the upper plate substantially independently of each other, wherein the elastomeric layer comprises an anterior section disposed between the upper plate and the forefoot plate and a posterior section disposed between the upper plate and the heel plate, and wherein a second gap is defined between the anterior and posterior sections, adjacent to the first gap.
1 more element
A lower leg prosthesis comprising:
- a lower foot plate and an upper foot plate disposed in spaced relationship to each other, wherein the lower and upper plates are elongated and are configured to be flexible in directions along a longitudinal axis, wherein the lower foot plate includes an outer portion that extends beyond the periphery of the upper foot plate, the lower foot plate further including a forefoot plate and a heel plate aligned along the longitudinal axis the forefoot and heel plates together have a toe section, a mid-foot section, and a heel section, the forefoot and heel plates being separated from each other by a first gap located in the mid-foot section;
- and
- an intermediate elastomeric layer disposed between, and attaching together, the lower foot plate and the upper foot plate, wherein the elastomeric layer extends over a substantial portion of the upper surface of the outer portion of the lower foot plate, including to a substantial portion of the periphery of the lower plate.
A lower leg prosthesis comprising:
- a forefoot plate and a heel plate aligned along a longitudinal axis, wherein the forefoot and heel plates together have a toe section, a mid-foot section, and a heel section, and the forefoot and heel plates are separated from each other by a first gap located in the mid-foot section;
- an upper foot plate disposed above the forefoot and heel plates, wherein the upper plate is flexible in directions along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- an intermediate elastomeric layer disposed between the upper foot plate and the forefoot and heel plates, wherein the elastomeric layer includes an anterior section for bonding the upper plate and the forefoot plate and a posterior section for attaching the upper plate and the heel plate, wherein a second gap is defined between the anterior and posterior sections, adjacent to the first gap, wherein the elastomeric layer is configured to allow the forefoot and heel plates to move substantially independently of each other.
1 more element
A lower leg prosthesis comprising:
- a forefoot plate and a heel plate aligned along a longitudinal axis, wherein the plates are configured to be flexible in directions along the longitudinal axis, wherein the forefoot and heel plates together have a toe section, a mid-foot section, and a heel section, and the forefoot and heel plates are separated from each other by a first gap located in the mid-foot section;
- an upper foot plate disposed above the forefoot and heel plates, wherein the upper plate is flexible in directions along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- an intermediate elastomeric layer disposed between the upper foot plate to the forefoot and heel plates, wherein the elastomeric layer includes an anterior section for bonding the upper plate and the forefoot plate and a posterior section for bonding the upper plate and the heel plate, wherein a second gap is defined between the anterior and posterior sections, adjacent to the first gap/wherein the elastomeric layer has sufficient thickness and flexibility to allow substantial multi-axial movement between the upper plate and the forefoot and heel plates, and wherein the elastomeric layer is configured to allow the forefoot and heel plates to move substantially independently of each other;
- wherein the forefoot and heel plates together have a periphery that extends beyond the periphery of the upper plate, and the elastomeric layer extends over substantially the entire upper surfaces of the forefoot and heel plates, including portions of the forefoot and heel plates extending beyond the periphery of the upper plate, in a thickness of at least about 2 mm.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.