US 8,945,238 B2 · Artificial foot

Abstract

An artificial foot having a longitudinal axis extending from a heel area to a toe area, a length, a width and a height is provided. The artificial foot includes a connection to a lower leg part, an upper supporting structure in the direction of height, an elastic sole structure extending from the heel area to the toe area, an elastic connecting element arranged between the upper supporting structure and the sole structure, and a coupling system. The upper supporting structure is connected to the sole structure approximately in a middle of the foot with respect to its length by means of the coupling system. The coupling system allows a relative tilting motion between the upper supporting structure and the sole structure while keeping a distance between the upper supporting structure and the sole structure in a middle of the coupling system constant, at least while a patient places weight on it when standing.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims25

Dependent claims

An artificial foot, comprising:

a connection configured to connect with a lower leg part;
an upper support structure projecting downwardly and forwardly from the connection;
an elastic sole structure extending from a heel area to a toe area of the artificial foot;
the upper support structure comprising a first material, the sole structure comprising a second material, the first material being less elastic than the second material;
an elastic element arranged between the upper support structure and the elastic sole structure;
a coupling system arranged at a toe-side end of the upper support structure and that connects the upper support structure to the sole structure at a middle region along a length of the artificial foot at a location forward of the connection, wherein the coupling system provides lateral tilting and medial tilting of the upper support structure relative to the sole structure with direct contact between the upper support structure and coupling system while limiting forward tilting and rearward tilting of the upper support structure relative the sole structure when standing and walking to maintain a constant distance between the upper support structure and the sole structure in a middle of the coupling system.

3 more elements

An artificial foot with a longitudinal axis extending from a heel area to a toe area, a length, a width and a height comprising:

a connection adapted to receive a lower leg part;
an upper support structure projecting downwardly and forwardly from the connection;
an elastic sole structure extending from the heel area to the toe area;
the upper support structure comprising a first material, the sole structure comprising a second material, the first material being less elastic than the second material;
an elastic element arranged between the upper support structure and the elastic sole structure;
and
a coupling system which is arranged at a toe-side end of the upper support structure and that connects the upper support structure to the sole structure at a middle region along the length of the artificial foot thereby determining a distance between the upper structure and the sole structure when no weight is placed on the artificial foot, wherein the coupling system provides for a multiaxial relative tilting motion between the upper support structure and the sole structure with direct contact between the upper support structure and coupling system in at least a lateral direction and a medial direction while maintaining the determined distance between the upper support structure and the sole structure in a middle of the coupling system constant when a user places weight on the coupling system in a standing position such that transfer of forces from the lower leg part to the sole structure in a portion of the artificial foot where the coupling system connects the upper support structure to the sole structure is maintained at an introductory point established by the coupling system.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description4,302 words

Summary1,520 words

#This patent application is a national stage application of International Application No. PCT/DE2007/000057 filed Jan. 16, 2007, which claims priority to German Patent No. DE 10 2006 004 132.1, filed on Jan. 27, 2006. The entire content of these applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

#The invention relates to an artificial foot with a longitudinal axis extending from a heel area to a toe area, a length, a width and a height, a connection to a lower leg part, a supporting structure uppermost in the direction of height, an elastic sole structure extending from the heel area to the toe area and an elastic connecting element arranged between the upper supporting structure and the sole structure.

#The invention further relates to a method for controlling movement of an artificial foot depending on the movement of a lower leg part of a patient.

Brief description of the drawings10 figures

#The invention will be explained hereinbelow in greater detail by means of exemplary embodiments illustrated in the diagram, in which:

#FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of the structure of an inventive artificial foot in a first embodiment;

#FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment for an arrangement of a flexible, however inelastic band serving as a limiting device;

Detailed description2,590 words

#FIG. 1 illustrates a cosmetic sheath 1 of an artificial foot in dashes. A sole structure 2 extends essentially over the entire length of the foot. The sole structure 2, when viewed from below in a toe area, has a convex arching which transitions approximately in the middle of the foot into a concave arching that may extend as far as a heel area. The sole structure 2 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment includes a flat, striated, long stretched-out sole spring 21. Approximately in the middle of the foot the sole structure 2 is connected to a front end of a supporting structure 3 via a coupling system formed by a hinged arrangement 4. The hinged arrangement 4 includes a material piece 5 in the form of a plastic cylinder, supported by a lower front end on the sole structure 2 and by an upper front end on an underside of the supporting structure 3. In the illustrated embodiment the hinged arrangement 4 is complemented by a pin arrangement 6 which has ballpoint attachments 7, 8 at both its ends. The ballpoint attachments 7, 8 are supported on the sole structure 2 on the one hand and on the supporting structure 3 on the other hand. The ballpoint attachments 7, 8 increase the stability of the connection between the supporting structure 3, the cylinder 5 and the sole structure 2, without hindering relative tiltability of the supporting structure 3 relative to the sole structure 2.

#The relative tiltability results from an elastic configuration of the cylinder 5. The cylinder 5 can be pressed in by inclinations of the supporting structure 3 relative to the sole structure 2 on part of its cross-section by the weight forces of a patient wearing the artificial foot. As a result, the opposite part of the cylinder 5 diametrical in cross-section expands such that the average height of the cylinder 5, and therefore the resulting average distance between the supporting structure 3 and the sole structure 2 in the region of the hinged arrangement 4, remains constant.

#A lessening of the middle distance is permitted due to forming the cylinder 5 to be pressed in only by higher forces, such as those that occur on the hinged arrangement 4 with heel-toe walking of the foot during walking.

Facts

Application

12/162,190Filed 16 Jan 2007

Priority

DE 10 2006 004 13227 Jan 2006

Published

US 2009/0012630 A18 Jan 2009

Granted

3 Feb 2015

Term ends

16 Jan 2027

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification14 codes

A61F 2/66
Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof: feet; Ankle joints
A61F 2/68
Prostheses not implantable in the body: operating or control means
A61F 2002/5003
Prostheses not implantable in the body: having damping means, e.g. shock absorbers
A61F 2002/5009
Having elastic means different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric insert: having two or more elastomeric blocks

Timeline

27 Jan 2006Priority claimedDE 10 2006 004 132
16 Jan 2007Application filedUS 12/162,190
29 Aug 2008Assigned to Otto Bock Healthcare IP GmbH & Co. KGassignment of assignor's interest
8 Jan 2009PublishedUS 2009/0012630 A1
4 Apr 2011Assigned to Otto Bock Healthcare GmbHchange of name
3 Feb 2015GrantedUS 8,945,238 B2
2 Jun 2020Assigned to Ottobock SE & Co. Kgaachange of name
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
16 Jan 2027Term endsEstimated

Artificial foot

Life of this patent

Artificial foot

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims25

Description4,302 words

Drawings

Description4,302 words

Classification14 codes

Life of this patent