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US 8,555,715 B2Granted
Ground contact sensing systems and methods for lower-limb orthotic and prosthetic devices
AssigneeOssur Hf
InventorsDavid Langlois, David Landry, Benoit Gilbert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of sensing ground contact with a lower limb prosthetic or orthotic device is provided. A first translational displacement between a frame and a connector can be sensed and then processed to identify an axial load caused by heel-ground contact. Additionally, a second translational displacement between the frame and the connector can be sensed and then processed to identify a torsional load caused by toe-ground contact.
Claims20
A ground-contact sensor comprising:
- a non-moving body comprising:
- two or more non-moving abutment surfaces disposed on separate sides of the non-moving body;
- and
- a load cell mounted to the non-moving body at a first end and comprising a second end;
- a moving body configured to receive a load, the moving body comprising:
- two or more moving abutment surfaces disposed generally adjacent to the non-moving abutment surfaces to allow a limited displacement between the abutment surfaces, at the abutment surfaces;
- and
- a load cell receiving portion disposed generally between the abutment surfaces and operatively mounted to the second end of the load cell such that the load cell can sense a relative displacement between the non-moving and moving bodies,
- wherein an axial load applied to the moving body can cause the moving body to move relative to the non-moving body and the moving abutment surfaces to move relative to the non-moving abutment surfaces said limited displacement, which can cause a first displacement sensed by the load cell, and
- wherein a torsional load applied to the moving body can cause the moving body to rotate relative to the non-moving body and at least one moving abutment surface to move relative to the corresponding non-moving abutment surface said limited displacement, which can cause a second displacement sensed by the load cell different from the first displacement.
7 more elements
A ground contact sensor for a prosthetic or orthotic device, comprising:
- a connector movably attachable to a frame portion of the prosthetic or orthotic device, the connector axially and pivotally movable relative to the frame portion, the connector further comprising:
- a first pair of planar blades disposed on a medial side of the distal connector and extending in an anterior-posterior direction, the first pair of planar blades being axially spaced apart from each other, and
- a second pair of planar blades disposed on a lateral side of the distal connector and extending in the anterior-posterior direction, the second pair of planar blades being axially spaced apart from each other,
- the first and second pair of blades configured to resiliently flex when the prosthetic or orthotic device is subjected to a load;
- and
- a load sensor receiving portion configured to couple to a load sensor on the prosthetic or orthotic device, the load sensor configured to sense relative movement between the connector and the frame portion during operation of the prosthetic or orthotic device,
- wherein the connector is configured to axially displace relative to the frame portion when the frame portion is subjected to an axial load such that at least a portion of the first and second pair of blades flex, the load sensor sensing said axial displacement between the connector and the frame portion, and wherein the connector rotates about a second axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, relative to the frame portion when the frame portion is subjected to a torsional load such that at least a portion of the first and second pair of blades flex, the load sensor sensing said rotation.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.