US 9,066,817 B2Granted

High torque active mechanism for orthotic and/or prosthetic devices

AssigneeVicthom Human Bionics Inc.

InventorsBenoit Gilbert, David Landry

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Abstract

A high torque active mechanism for an orthotic and/or prosthetic joint using a primary brake which can be provide by magnetorheological (MR) rotational damper incorporating and an additional friction brake mechanism driven by the braking force generated by the MR damper. This combination of MR damper and friction brake mechanism allows an increase in torque density while keeping the same level of motion control offered by the MR damper alone. The increased torque density achieved by this high torque active mechanism allows to minimize the size of the actuating system, i.e. its diameter and/or breath, while maximizing its braking torque capability. In this regard, the friction brake mechanism is advantageously positioned around the MR damper, such that the dimension of the package is minimized.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A prosthetic device for replacing a limb of a user, said prosthetic device comprising:

at least one prosthetic portion;
a prosthetic joint portion for being interposed between said prosthetic portion and another adjacent prosthetic portion or an adjacent limb segment of the user, said prosthetic joint portion providing said at least one prosthetic portion to pivot between flexion and extension movements relative to said another adjacent prosthetic portion or the adjacent limb segment of the user;
a primary brake in operational communication with said prosthetic joint portion for generating a braking torque thereon during flexion and/or extension movements;
and
a force multiplier in operational communication with said primary brake and with said prosthetic joint portion, said force multiplier providing for transforming the braking torque into a pressure onto said prosthetic joint portion thereby allowing braking thereof,
wherein during flexion said primary brake causes said force multiplier to generate an additional braking force on said prosthetic joint portion, but the force multiplier does not generate an additional braking force during extension.

3 more elements

A prosthetic device for replacing a limb of a user, said prosthetic device comprising:

at least one prosthetic portion;
a prosthetic joint portion for being interposed between said prosthetic portion and another adjacent prosthetic portion or an adjacent limb segment of the user, said prosthetic joint portion providing said at least one prosthetic portion to pivot between flexion and extension movements relative to said another adjacent prosthetic portion or the adjacent limb segment of the user;
a primary brake in operational communication with said prosthetic joint portion for generating a braking force thereon during flexion and/or extension movements;
and
a force multiplier in operational communication with said primary brake and with said prosthetic joint portion, said force multiplier comprising a brake pad assembly,
wherein during flexion said primary brake causes said force multiplier to generate an additional braking force on said prosthetic joint portion, and
wherein said prosthetic joint portion comprises a rotating member, said rotating member being rotatable in a respective direction during extension and flexion, said force multiplier comprising a frictional braking member for frictionally engaging said rotating member during braking.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/486,938Filed 1 Jun 2012 · division
Priority: 5 Jan 2007
Published: US 2012/0310369 A16 Dec 2012
Granted: 30 Jun 2015
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification23 codes

A61F 5/0102
Orthopaedic devices, e.g. long-term immobilising or pressure directing devices for treating broken or deformed bones such as splints, casts or…
A61F 2/64
Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof: knee joints
A61F 5/0125
For the knees: the device articulating around a single pivot-point
A61F 5/013
Specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations: for the arms, hands or fingers

Family

Application60/878,689Us provisional application · filed 5 Jan 2007
PCT/CA2008/000012Parent of this division · filed 7 Jan 2008
US 8,211,042 B2Parent of this division · filed 3 Jul 2012
US 2012/0310369 A1Pre-grant publication · published 6 Dec 2012
Application12/160,736Parent of this division
US 2010/0160844 A1Published application
US 9,066,817 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.