US3316558A - Prosthetic leg with a hydraulic knee control - Google Patents

Prosthetic leg with a hydraulic knee control Download PDF

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US3316558A
US3316558A US322619A US32261963A US3316558A US 3316558 A US3316558 A US 3316558A US 322619 A US322619 A US 322619A US 32261963 A US32261963 A US 32261963A US 3316558 A US3316558 A US 3316558A
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piston
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La Vaughn L Mortensen
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/50Prostheses not implantable in the body
    • A61F2/60Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof
    • A61F2/64Knee joints
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/50Prostheses not implantable in the body
    • A61F2/68Operating or control means
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/50Prostheses not implantable in the body
    • A61F2/68Operating or control means
    • A61F2/74Operating or control means fluid, i.e. hydraulic or pneumatic

Definitions

  • This invention relates to artificial legs and more particularly to a means for controlling the knee action of a leg prosthesis adapted to be used by above-the-knee amputees.
  • This prosthesis may be used in conjunction with an independent articulated foot and ankle prosthesis.
  • the prosthesis of this invention is of simple construction and there are no adjustments for its few moving parts. Thus, the unit may be preset at the factory.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a hydraulically operated leg prosthesis which will enable an amputee to walk at a desired speed in a more natural manner.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a knee control for a leg prosthesis which offers little resistance to the initial flexing movement of the knee but increases resistance to the flexing motion as speed and force of the movement increases.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a knee control in a leg prosthesis which will allow a rapid but controlled movement, with less resistance during the extension cycle of the prosthetic leg movement than during the flexing cycle.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a hydraulie knee control which is essentially tamper proof and has no need for periodic adjustments, since hydraulic action is consistent.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a knee control for a leg prosthesis which has no variable controls.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the knee control device of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the knee control installed in a leg prosthesis
  • FIG. 3 is a rear view of the knee control installed in a leg prosthesis.
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional View of the poppet valve used in conjunction with the knee control device.
  • Numeral, 12 indicates a lower thigh portion of a leg prosthesis to which a lower leg or shank member is hinged by a knee bolt 14.
  • the shank portion 20 and the thigh portion 12 pivot relative to each other about knee bolt 14. Knee action is controlled by the knee control device of FIG. 1 which is indicated generally at 114 in FIG. 2.
  • a tubular member 116 is divided by a fixed partition 38 into an upper hydraulic cylinder 30 and a lower hydraulic cylinder 28.
  • the partition 38 is held in position by dimples 70.
  • Fluid passages between cylinders 28 and 30 are provided by poppet valve 40 and orifice 50.
  • Floating piston 66 i disposed within cylinder 30, thus div-iding the cylinder into chambers 32 and 34.
  • O-ring 102 provides a seal between chambers 32 and 34, thus preventing the passage of fluid from one chamber to the other.
  • Piston 60 is disposed within cylinder 28 and connected to piston rod 18 which extends through a piston rod bearing 74.
  • the piston rod bearing 74 and O-rings 106 and 108 provide a fluid tight seal at the lower end of tubular member 116.
  • the cylinder 28 is divided into chambers 62 and 64 by piston 60. Fluid passage between chambers 62 and 64 is provided by orifice 58 which extends through piston rod 18, or which may be adapted to pass through piston 60.
  • the upper end of tubular member 116 is closed by cylinder head 10.
  • a fluid tight seal is provided by O-ring 100.
  • the cylinder head 10 and the lower end 68 of piston rod 18 are each provided rubber or resilient members 24 into which bearings 26 are pressed.
  • Cylinder head 10 is pivotally attached to thigh member 12 rearwardly of knee bolt 14 by means of pin. 16.
  • Piston rod 18 is pivotally attached to shank portion 20 by means of pin 22.
  • Resilient members 24 serve to retain the bearings 26 in such a manner as to prevent binding if shafts 16 and 22 are not parallel with knee bolt 14 and to provide quieter action.
  • Cylinder 28 and the lower chamber 32 of cylinder 30 are filled with a hydraulic fluid 36.
  • Chamber 34 of cylinder 30 is partially filled with said hydraulic fluid and partially filled with a compressible fluid such as air.
  • the poppet valve 40 disposed in partition 38 includes a casing 42 having shoulders 44 and 45 thereon and being threaded as at 46 on its upper portion.
  • the poppet valve is further composed of a valve stem 48 having orifice 50 therethrough, a spring 52, a retainer collar 54 pressed on valve stem 48, and avalve closing member 56.
  • the poppet valve is normally biased to a closed position by spring 52. If desired, orifice 50 may pass through the partition 38 instead of poppet valve stem 48.
  • orifice 50 regulates the flow of fluid from chamber 64 to chamber 32 to determine the resistance to the knee flexing motion. The most desired action is obtained when orifice 50 is smaller than orifice 58.
  • Fluid forced into chamber 32 urges floating piston 66 upwardly, thu compressing the compressible fluid such as air which partially fills chamber 34.
  • the compressed fluid acts as a fluid spring, helps stop the flexing movement and serves to aid in the return of the prosthesis to an extended position. Momentum and gravity supply the remaining force to return the prosthesis to the extended position.
  • orifice 58 thus controls the rate of fluid flow from chamber 62 to chamber ,64 and thereby controls the rate of travel of piston 60. By controlling the travel of piston 60 orifice 58 also controls the resistance to the extension cycle of the prosthesis. It can be seen from the above that any change in the size of either one or both of the orifices '50 and58 may be made to regulate the knee action to to yield to the relatively high pressure in chamber 32 during. the extension cycle, thus allowing the valve gate 56 to move away from-casing 42 to open the valve. At
  • Rivet 110 is press fitted for holding head 10' in place
  • Rivets 112 which are press fitted and hold piston rod bearing 74 in place .may be removed to facilitate service of the knee control device.
  • means being comprised of a tubular member closed at one end and divided by a fixed partition, a first cylinder and a second cylinder formed by said fixed partition,-a poppet valve in said partition, an orifice through said poppet valve, aifloating piston in said first cylinder, a piston in said second cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston in said second cylinder, a piston rod bearing in the other'end of said tubular-means through which said piston rod passes, a pivotal connection between said thigh portion and said closed end of said tubular member, said pivotal connection located rearwardly of said knee joint, anda pivotal connection betweensaid piston rod and said shank.
  • a fluid chamber knee control device for a leg prosthesis cmprising a tubular member closed at one end, a piston rod bearing in the other end through which a piston rod passes, a fixed partition in said tubular member divid ing it into an upper and a lower cylinder, said partition having a poppet valve therethrough, an orifice connecting said upper and lower cylinders, a floating piston in said upper cylinder, a piston in said lower cylinder connected to said piston rod, said floating piston dividing said upper cylinder into an upper and a lower chamber, the other said piston dividing the lower cylinder into an upper and a lower chamber, means to prevent passage of fluid around said floating piston, means to prevent the passage of fluid around said other piston, an orifice through said other piston to allow controlled passage of fluid therethrough, and an orifice through said poppet valve to allow controlled passage of fluid therethrough.
  • a leg prosthesis which includes an upper thigh member, a lower shank member, a knee joint pivotally connecting said members, means for control of said knee joint, said means comprising a tubular member closed at one end, a piston rod bearing through which a piston rod passes sealing the other end, said closed end of said tubular member being pivotally connected to said thigh member behind said knee joint, said piston rod being pivotally connected to said shank member, a fixed partition in said tubular member dividing said tubular member into an upper and a lower cylinder, a poppet valve through said fixed partition, a floating piston in said upper cylinder dividing said cylinder into upper and lower chambers, means to prevent the passage of fluid between said chambers, a lower piston connected to said piston rod in .said hydraulic fluid, the remaining portion of said upper chamber of said upper cylinder containing a compressible fluid, an orifice through said poppet valve to allow controlled passage of fluid therethrou-gh, and an orifice through said lower piston to allow controlled passage of fluid therethrough.
  • a leg prosthesis comprising an upper thigh member, a lower shank member, a knee joint pivotally connecting said members, means pivotally connected between said members for control of said knee joint comprising, a tubular member sealed at each end, a partition in said tubular member, an upper cylinder and'a lower cylinder formed by said partition, hydraulic fluid in both said cylinders, a valve means joining said cylinders, a nonvalve means. allowing continuous fluid communication between said cylinders, fluid spring means in said upper cylinder, a piston in said lower cylinder, an upper chamber and a lower chamber in said lower cylinder formed by said piston, an orifice joining said upper and lower chambers of said lower cylinder, and a piston rod connected to said piston.
  • valve means is a poppet valve disposed in said fixed partition, said poppet valve comprising, a casing, a threaded portion on said casing, a valve stem, said valve stem extending through said casing, a passageway extending through said valve stem, a shoulder on said casing, a collar on the upper part of said valve stem, a spring disposed 15 between said shoulder and said collar and between said casing and said valve stem, and a valve gate disposed on the lower part of said valve stem, said valve gate normally being urged to a closed position by said spring.

Description

May 2, 1967 LA VAUGHN MORTENSEN 3,316,558
PROSTHETIC LEG WITH A HYDRAULIC KNEE CONTROL Filed Nov. 12, 1-963 INVENTOR L0 Vaughn L. Morfensen ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,316,558 PROSTHETIC LEG WITH A HYDRAULIC KNEE CONTROL La Vaughn L. Mortensen, 616 W. 107th St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90044 Filed Nov. 12, 1963, Ser. No. 322,619 13 Claims. (Cl. 3-1.2)
This invention relates to artificial legs and more particularly to a means for controlling the knee action of a leg prosthesis adapted to be used by above-the-knee amputees. This prosthesis may be used in conjunction with an independent articulated foot and ankle prosthesis.
Leg prostheses are often costly and complex and the motion effected by many devices now in use is awkward and does not closely approximate a natural walking movement.
Many of the devices in use include variable controls which are needed by only a small percentage of amputees. The prosthesis of this invention is of simple construction and there are no adjustments for its few moving parts. Thus, the unit may be preset at the factory.
It is an object of this invention to provide a light, simple and inexpensive leg prosthesis.
Another object of this invention is to provide a hydraulically operated leg prosthesis which will enable an amputee to walk at a desired speed in a more natural manner.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a hydraulic knee control for a leg prosthesis which may be used in conjunction with an independent articulated foot and ankle prosthetic device.
A further object of this invention is to provide a knee control for a leg prosthesis which offers little resistance to the initial flexing movement of the knee but increases resistance to the flexing motion as speed and force of the movement increases.
Another object of this invention is to provide a knee control in a leg prosthesis which will allow a rapid but controlled movement, with less resistance during the extension cycle of the prosthetic leg movement than during the flexing cycle.
Another object of this invention is to provide a hydraulie knee control which is essentially tamper proof and has no need for periodic adjustments, since hydraulic action is consistent.
Since variable controls are needed by only a small percentage of amputees, a further object of this invention is to provide a knee control for a leg prosthesis which has no variable controls.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description referring to the accompanying drawing, and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims appended to and forming a part of this specification.
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the knee control device of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the knee control installed in a leg prosthesis;
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the knee control installed in a leg prosthesis; and
FIG. 4 is a sectional View of the poppet valve used in conjunction with the knee control device.
Numeral, 12 indicates a lower thigh portion of a leg prosthesis to which a lower leg or shank member is hinged by a knee bolt 14.
The shank portion 20 and the thigh portion 12 pivot relative to each other about knee bolt 14. Knee action is controlled by the knee control device of FIG. 1 which is indicated generally at 114 in FIG. 2.
A tubular member 116 is divided by a fixed partition 38 into an upper hydraulic cylinder 30 and a lower hydraulic cylinder 28. The partition 38 is held in position by dimples 70. Fluid passages between cylinders 28 and 30 are provided by poppet valve 40 and orifice 50. Floating piston 66 i disposed within cylinder 30, thus div-iding the cylinder into chambers 32 and 34. O-ring 102 provides a seal between chambers 32 and 34, thus preventing the passage of fluid from one chamber to the other.
Piston 60 is disposed within cylinder 28 and connected to piston rod 18 which extends through a piston rod bearing 74. The piston rod bearing 74 and O- rings 106 and 108 provide a fluid tight seal at the lower end of tubular member 116. The cylinder 28 is divided into chambers 62 and 64 by piston 60. Fluid passage between chambers 62 and 64 is provided by orifice 58 which extends through piston rod 18, or which may be adapted to pass through piston 60. The upper end of tubular member 116 is closed by cylinder head 10. A fluid tight seal is provided by O-ring 100.
The cylinder head 10 and the lower end 68 of piston rod 18 are each provided rubber or resilient members 24 into which bearings 26 are pressed.
Cylinder head 10 is pivotally attached to thigh member 12 rearwardly of knee bolt 14 by means of pin. 16. Piston rod 18 is pivotally attached to shank portion 20 by means of pin 22. Resilient members 24 serve to retain the bearings 26 in such a manner as to prevent binding if shafts 16 and 22 are not parallel with knee bolt 14 and to provide quieter action.
Cylinder 28 and the lower chamber 32 of cylinder 30 are filled with a hydraulic fluid 36. Chamber 34 of cylinder 30 is partially filled with said hydraulic fluid and partially filled with a compressible fluid such as air.
The poppet valve 40 disposed in partition 38 includes a casing 42 having shoulders 44 and 45 thereon and being threaded as at 46 on its upper portion. The poppet valve is further composed of a valve stem 48 having orifice 50 therethrough, a spring 52, a retainer collar 54 pressed on valve stem 48, and avalve closing member 56. The poppet valve is normally biased to a closed position by spring 52. If desired, orifice 50 may pass through the partition 38 instead of poppet valve stem 48.
At the beginning of the knee flexing cycle the piston 60 is forced upward into cylinder 28. This action causes hydraulic fluid 36 to be forced from chamber 64 into chambers 62 and 32 through orifices 58 and 50. The poppet valve 40 which is biased to a closed position remains closed during the flexing cycle.
The size of orifice 50 regulates the flow of fluid from chamber 64 to chamber 32 to determine the resistance to the knee flexing motion. The most desired action is obtained when orifice 50 is smaller than orifice 58.
Fluid forced into chamber 32 urges floating piston 66 upwardly, thu compressing the compressible fluid such as air which partially fills chamber 34. The compressed fluid acts as a fluid spring, helps stop the flexing movement and serves to aid in the return of the prosthesis to an extended position. Momentum and gravity supply the remaining force to return the prosthesis to the extended position.
During the extension cycle the piston 60 moves down in cylinder 28, thus forcing the hydraulic fluid out of 3 chambers 62 and 32 and into chamber 64. The reduced pressure in chamber 64 during the extension cycle causes poppet valve 50 to open, thus allowing little resistance to fluid movement from chamber 32 to chamber 64. The
orifice 58 :thus controls the rate of fluid flow from chamber 62 to chamber ,64 and thereby controls the rate of travel of piston 60. By controlling the travel of piston 60 orifice 58 also controls the resistance to the extension cycle of the prosthesis. It can be seen from the above that any change in the size of either one or both of the orifices '50 and58 may be made to regulate the knee action to to yield to the relatively high pressure in chamber 32 during. the extension cycle, thus allowing the valve gate 56 to move away from-casing 42 to open the valve. At
the end of the extensioncycle the pressure in chamber 32 ceases to be. relatively greater than that in chamber 64- Thus, the valve stem and :gate are moved upward by spring 52 to close the valve. An important feature of this invention is the pivotal connection of the cylinder end of the pneumatic knee control device to the lower portion of thigh member 12. This makes possible the presence of hydraulic fluid 36 on 'both sides of floating piston 66. This gives better lubrication and also prevents the passageof compressible fluid from chamber 34 into other chamlbers, as air in other chambers would tend to cause noise in the mechanism. O-ring 102 provides a fluid seal for piston 66 and O-ring 104 provides a fluid seal for piston 60.:
Rivet 110 is press fitted for holding head 10' in place,
and may be removed for servicing of chamber 34. Rivets 112 which are press fitted and hold piston rod bearing 74 in place .may be removed to facilitate service of the knee control device.
, While a particular embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described, modifications thereof will It is to be understood,
occur to those skilled in the art. therefore, that this invention is not to be limited to the particular details disclosed, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all modifications within the spirit'and scope of this invention.
What is claimed is: I
1. In a leg prosthesis an upper thigh member, a lower shank member, a hinged connection of said members to 'form a knee joint, means to control said knee joint, said.
means being comprised of a tubular member closed at one end and divided by a fixed partition, a first cylinder and a second cylinder formed by said fixed partition,-a poppet valve in said partition, an orifice through said poppet valve, aifloating piston in said first cylinder, a piston in said second cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston in said second cylinder, a piston rod bearing in the other'end of said tubular-means through which said piston rod passes, a pivotal connection between said thigh portion and said closed end of said tubular member, said pivotal connection located rearwardly of said knee joint, anda pivotal connection betweensaid piston rod and said shank.
2. A claim according to claim 1 wherein said thigh member includes, a stop along its lower portion, and said tubular member contacts said stop to terminate the exten- 4. A fluid chamber knee control device for a leg prosthesis cmprising a tubular member closed at one end, a piston rod bearing in the other end through which a piston rod passes, a fixed partition in said tubular member divid ing it into an upper and a lower cylinder, said partition having a poppet valve therethrough, an orifice connecting said upper and lower cylinders, a floating piston in said upper cylinder, a piston in said lower cylinder connected to said piston rod, said floating piston dividing said upper cylinder into an upper and a lower chamber, the other said piston dividing the lower cylinder into an upper and a lower chamber, means to prevent passage of fluid around said floating piston, means to prevent the passage of fluid around said other piston, an orifice through said other piston to allow controlled passage of fluid therethrough, and an orifice through said poppet valve to allow controlled passage of fluid therethrough.
5. A claim according to claim 4 wherein said lower cylinder and said lower chamber of said upper cylinder are filled with hydraulic fluid and the upper chamber of said upper cylinder is partially filled with said hydraulic fluid, the remainder of said upper chamber of said upper cylinder being filled with a compressible fluid which acts as a fluid spring.
6. A leg prosthesis which includes an upper thigh member, a lower shank member, a knee joint pivotally connecting said members, means for control of said knee joint, said means comprising a tubular member closed at one end, a piston rod bearing through which a piston rod passes sealing the other end, said closed end of said tubular member being pivotally connected to said thigh member behind said knee joint, said piston rod being pivotally connected to said shank member, a fixed partition in said tubular member dividing said tubular member into an upper and a lower cylinder, a poppet valve through said fixed partition, a floating piston in said upper cylinder dividing said cylinder into upper and lower chambers, means to prevent the passage of fluid between said chambers, a lower piston connected to said piston rod in .said hydraulic fluid, the remaining portion of said upper chamber of said upper cylinder containing a compressible fluid, an orifice through said poppet valve to allow controlled passage of fluid therethrou-gh, and an orifice through said lower piston to allow controlled passage of fluid therethrough.
7. A leg prosthesis as described in claim 6 wherein said thigh member includes a stop along its lower portion, and said tubular member is adapted to contact said stop to terminate the extension movement of said prosthesis.
8. A claim according to claim 7 wherein said stop is a resilient bumper.
9. A prosthesis according to claim 6 wherein said orifice in said piston is relatively larger than said orifice in said poppet valve.
10. A leg prosthesis comprising an upper thigh member, a lower shank member, a knee joint pivotally connecting said members, means pivotally connected between said members for control of said knee joint comprising, a tubular member sealed at each end, a partition in said tubular member, an upper cylinder and'a lower cylinder formed by said partition, hydraulic fluid in both said cylinders, a valve means joining said cylinders, a nonvalve means. allowing continuous fluid communication between said cylinders, fluid spring means in said upper cylinder, a piston in said lower cylinder, an upper chamber and a lower chamber in said lower cylinder formed by said piston, an orifice joining said upper and lower chambers of said lower cylinder, and a piston rod connected to said piston.
11. A claim according to claim 10 wherein one end of said tubular member is pivotally attached to a thigh member of a leg prosthesis, and said piston rod is pivotally attached to a shank member of said leg prosthesis.
12. A claim according to claim 11 wherein said thigh 5 member includes a stop along its lower portion, and said tubular member contacts said stop to terminate the extension movement.
13. A leg prosthesis according to claim 10, wherein said valve means is a poppet valve disposed in said fixed partition, said poppet valve comprising, a casing, a threaded portion on said casing, a valve stem, said valve stem extending through said casing, a passageway extending through said valve stem, a shoulder on said casing, a collar on the upper part of said valve stem, a spring disposed 15 between said shoulder and said collar and between said casing and said valve stem, and a valve gate disposed on the lower part of said valve stem, said valve gate normally being urged to a closed position by said spring.
References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 909,859 1/1909 Apgar 3-2 X 2,489,291 11/ 1949 Henschke et al. 3-24 2,859,451 11/ 1958 Mauch 322 3,147,966 9/1964 Axthamrner et al 26764 FOREIGN PATENTS 316,515 12/1919 Germany.
31,662 12/ 1926 France.
(1st addition) 474,290 9/ 1952 Italy.
RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.
R. L. FRINKS, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (2)

  1. 4. A FLUID CHAMBER KNEE CONTROL DEVICE FOR A LEG PROSTHESIS COMPRISING A TUBULAR MEMBER CLOSED AT ONE END, A PISTON ROD BEARING IN THE OTHER END THROUGH WHICH A PISTON ROD PASSES, A FIXED PARTITION IN SAID TUBULAR MEMBER DIVIDING IT INTO AN UPPER AND A LOWER CYLINDER, SAID PARTITION HAVING A POPPET VALVE THERETHROUGH, AN ORIFICE CONNECTING SAID UPPER AND LOWER CYLINDERS, A FLOATING PISTON IN SAID UPPER CYLINDER, A PISTON IN SAID LOWER CYLINDER CONNECTED TO SAID PISTON ROD, SAID FLOATING PISTON DIVIDING SAID UPPER CYLINDER INTO AN UPPER AND A LOWER CHAMBER, THE OTHER SAID PISTON DIVIDING THE LOWER CYLINDER INTO AN UPPER AND A LOWER CHAMBER, MEANS TO PREVENT PASSAGE OF FLUID AROUND SAID FLOATING PISTON, MEANS TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF FLUID AROUND SAID OTHER PISTON, AN ORIFICE THROUGH SAID OTHER PISTON TO ALLOW CONTROLLED PASSAGE OF FLUID THERETHROUGH, AND AN ORIFICE THROUGH SAID POPPET VALVE TO ALLOW CONTROLLED PASSAGE OF FLUID THERETHROUGH.
  2. 10. A LEG PROSTHESIS COMPRISING AN UPPER THIGH MEMBER, A LOWER SHANK MEMBER, A KNEE JOINT PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID MEMBERS, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS FOR CONTROL OF SAID KNEE JOINT COMPRISING, A TUBULAR MEMBER SEALED AT EACH END, A PARTITION IN SAID TUBULAR MEMBER, AN UPPER CYLINDER AND A LOWER CYLINDER FORMED BY SAID PARTITION, HYDRAULIC FLUID IN BOTH SAID CYLINDERS, A VALVE MEANS JOINING SAID CYLINDERS, A NONVALVE MEANS ALLOWING CONTINUOUS FLUID COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID CYLINDERS, FLUID SPRING MEANS IN SAID UPPER CYLINDER, A PISTON IN SAID LOWER CYLINDER, AN UPPER CHAMBER AND A LOWER CHAMBER IN SAID LOWER CYLINDER FORMED BY SAID PISTON, AN ORIFICE JOINING SAID UPPER AND LOWER CHAM-
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Cited By (38)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3799159A (en) * 1971-10-28 1974-03-26 Us Health Education & Welfare Hydraulic flexion control device
US3801087A (en) * 1970-08-04 1974-04-02 Nissan Motor Hydropneumatic impact absorptive device
US3833248A (en) * 1971-05-15 1974-09-03 Fichtel & Sachs Ag Shock-absorbing bumper arrangement
US3883942A (en) * 1972-03-16 1975-05-20 Fmc Corp Method of providing a fluid tight seal between a thin walled tube and a piston
US3918103A (en) * 1975-02-10 1975-11-11 Hosmer Dorrance Corp Knee prosthesis
US4212087A (en) * 1978-11-16 1980-07-15 Mortensen Lavaugh L Prosthetic leg with a hydraulic control
US4544144A (en) * 1980-01-14 1985-10-01 Tokico Kabushiki Kaisha Hydropneumatic spring
US4595179A (en) * 1982-06-18 1986-06-17 Otto Bock Orthopadische Industrie, KG Hyraulic damping device and artificial joint employing the device
DE3603467A1 (en) * 1985-02-18 1986-08-21 Växjö-Protes AB, Växjö HYDRAULIC DEVICE
US5062857A (en) * 1990-06-05 1991-11-05 Advanced Prosthestetics Development Corporation Myoelectrically controlled knee joint locking device
US5092902A (en) * 1990-08-16 1992-03-03 Mauch Laboratories, Inc. Hydraulic control unit for prosthetic leg
US5103811A (en) * 1990-07-09 1992-04-14 Crupi Jr Theodore P Body part or joint brace
EP0560652A1 (en) * 1992-03-11 1993-09-15 ETABLISSEMENTS PROTEOR Société anonyme dite: Control device for above knee prosthesis
US5443521A (en) * 1992-12-21 1995-08-22 Mauch Laboratories, Inc. Hydraulic control unit for prosthetic leg
US5472412A (en) * 1994-04-05 1995-12-05 Mauch Laboratories, Inc. Limb brace with adjustable hydraulic resistance unit
US5718248A (en) * 1994-04-15 1998-02-17 Allegheny-Singer Research Institute Muscle energy converter pump and method of pumping fluid of a patient
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US20080065078A1 (en) * 1999-12-01 2008-03-13 Henry Graf Intervertebral stabilising device
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US9358137B2 (en) 2002-08-22 2016-06-07 Victhom Laboratory Inc. Actuated prosthesis for amputees
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US10195057B2 (en) 2004-02-12 2019-02-05 össur hf. Transfemoral prosthetic systems and methods for operating the same
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US3883942A (en) * 1972-03-16 1975-05-20 Fmc Corp Method of providing a fluid tight seal between a thin walled tube and a piston
US3918103A (en) * 1975-02-10 1975-11-11 Hosmer Dorrance Corp Knee prosthesis
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US4544144A (en) * 1980-01-14 1985-10-01 Tokico Kabushiki Kaisha Hydropneumatic spring
US4595179A (en) * 1982-06-18 1986-06-17 Otto Bock Orthopadische Industrie, KG Hyraulic damping device and artificial joint employing the device
DE3603467A1 (en) * 1985-02-18 1986-08-21 Växjö-Protes AB, Växjö HYDRAULIC DEVICE
FR2577415A1 (en) * 1985-02-18 1986-08-22 Vaxjo Protes Ab HYDRAULIC DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE KNEE JOINT IN THE PROTHESES OF LOWER LIMBS
US5062857A (en) * 1990-06-05 1991-11-05 Advanced Prosthestetics Development Corporation Myoelectrically controlled knee joint locking device
US5103811A (en) * 1990-07-09 1992-04-14 Crupi Jr Theodore P Body part or joint brace
US5092902A (en) * 1990-08-16 1992-03-03 Mauch Laboratories, Inc. Hydraulic control unit for prosthetic leg
FR2688404A1 (en) * 1992-03-11 1993-09-17 Proteor Sa DEVICE FOR HYDRAULIC REGULATION OF THE WALKING OF FEMALE AMPUTES.
US5376138A (en) * 1992-03-11 1994-12-27 Etablissements Proteor Sa Hydraulic device for correcting the gait of a femoral amputee
EP0560652A1 (en) * 1992-03-11 1993-09-15 ETABLISSEMENTS PROTEOR Société anonyme dite: Control device for above knee prosthesis
US5443521A (en) * 1992-12-21 1995-08-22 Mauch Laboratories, Inc. Hydraulic control unit for prosthetic leg
US5472412A (en) * 1994-04-05 1995-12-05 Mauch Laboratories, Inc. Limb brace with adjustable hydraulic resistance unit
US5718248A (en) * 1994-04-15 1998-02-17 Allegheny-Singer Research Institute Muscle energy converter pump and method of pumping fluid of a patient
US6409695B1 (en) * 1999-07-27 2002-06-25 John D. Connelly Ankle-foot orthotic
US8172880B2 (en) 1999-12-01 2012-05-08 Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. Intervertebral stabilising device
US20080065078A1 (en) * 1999-12-01 2008-03-13 Henry Graf Intervertebral stabilising device
US20030009226A1 (en) * 1999-12-29 2003-01-09 Henry Graf Device and assembly for intervertebral stabilisation
US7066957B2 (en) * 1999-12-29 2006-06-27 Sdgi Holdings, Inc. Device and assembly for intervertebral stabilization
US20040116927A1 (en) * 2000-12-01 2004-06-17 Henry Graf Intervertebral stabilizing device
US7727258B2 (en) 2000-12-01 2010-06-01 Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. Intervertebral stabilizing device
US6820866B2 (en) * 2001-08-10 2004-11-23 Goodbar Llc Attenuator apparatus
US20030030196A1 (en) * 2001-08-10 2003-02-13 Mason James D. Attenuator apparatus
US20050245853A1 (en) * 2002-04-16 2005-11-03 Scorvo Sean K Adjustable orthotic brace
US20110137429A1 (en) * 2002-08-22 2011-06-09 Victhom Human Bionics, Inc. Control device and system for controlling an actuated prosthesis
US9649206B2 (en) 2002-08-22 2017-05-16 Victhom Laboratory Inc. Control device and system for controlling an actuated prosthesis
US9358137B2 (en) 2002-08-22 2016-06-07 Victhom Laboratory Inc. Actuated prosthesis for amputees
US8323354B2 (en) 2003-11-18 2012-12-04 Victhom Human Bionics Inc. Instrumented prosthetic foot
US9526636B2 (en) 2003-11-18 2016-12-27 Victhom Laboratory Inc. Instrumented prosthetic foot
US8986397B2 (en) 2003-11-18 2015-03-24 Victhom Human Bionics, Inc. Instrumented prosthetic foot
US10195057B2 (en) 2004-02-12 2019-02-05 össur hf. Transfemoral prosthetic systems and methods for operating the same
US8657886B2 (en) 2004-02-12 2014-02-25 össur hf Systems and methods for actuating a prosthetic ankle
US9271851B2 (en) 2004-02-12 2016-03-01 össur hf. Systems and methods for actuating a prosthetic ankle
US9078774B2 (en) 2004-12-22 2015-07-14 össur hf Systems and methods for processing limb motion
US20060135883A1 (en) * 2004-12-22 2006-06-22 Jonsson Helgi Systems and methods for processing limb motion
US7811333B2 (en) 2004-12-22 2010-10-12 Ossur Hf Systems and methods for processing limb motion
US8801802B2 (en) 2005-02-16 2014-08-12 össur hf System and method for data communication with a mechatronic device
US9717606B2 (en) 2005-04-19 2017-08-01 össur hf Combined active and passive leg prosthesis system and a method for performing a movement with such a system
US8814949B2 (en) 2005-04-19 2014-08-26 össur hf Combined active and passive leg prosthesis system and a method for performing a movement with such a system
US9066819B2 (en) 2005-04-19 2015-06-30 össur hf Combined active and passive leg prosthesis system and a method for performing a movement with such a system
US7507215B2 (en) 2005-07-08 2009-03-24 Jri Development Group, Llc Orthotic brace
US8852292B2 (en) 2005-09-01 2014-10-07 Ossur Hf System and method for determining terrain transitions
US8702811B2 (en) 2005-09-01 2014-04-22 össur hf System and method for determining terrain transitions
US10299943B2 (en) 2008-03-24 2019-05-28 össur hf Transfemoral prosthetic systems and methods for operating the same
US9394960B2 (en) 2011-02-01 2016-07-19 Hydac Technology Gmbh Hydropneumatic piston/cylinder arrangement
DE102011010070A1 (en) * 2011-02-01 2012-08-02 Hydac Technology Gmbh Hydropneumatic piston-cylinder arrangement
US10251762B2 (en) 2011-05-03 2019-04-09 Victhom Laboratory Inc. Impedance simulating motion controller for orthotic and prosthetic applications
US9060884B2 (en) 2011-05-03 2015-06-23 Victhom Human Bionics Inc. Impedance simulating motion controller for orthotic and prosthetic applications
US11185429B2 (en) 2011-05-03 2021-11-30 Victhom Laboratory Inc. Impedance simulating motion controller for orthotic and prosthetic applications
US9561118B2 (en) 2013-02-26 2017-02-07 össur hf Prosthetic foot with enhanced stability and elastic energy return
US10369019B2 (en) 2013-02-26 2019-08-06 Ossur Hf Prosthetic foot with enhanced stability and elastic energy return
US11285024B2 (en) 2013-02-26 2022-03-29 Össur Iceland Ehf Prosthetic foot with enhanced stability and elastic energy return
US9771999B2 (en) * 2013-09-13 2017-09-26 Kyb Corporation Mono-tube type hydraulic shock absorber
US20160169316A1 (en) * 2013-09-13 2016-06-16 Kyb Corporation Mono-tube type hydraulic shock absorber
US10357381B2 (en) 2014-12-08 2019-07-23 Rehabilitation Instititute of Chicago Powered and passive assistive device and related methods

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