Hybrid terrain-adaptive lower-extremity systems

• Main Authors: KESSLER SETH S, SIZE KRISTIN JUGENHEIMER, WEBER JEFF ANTHONY, THOMPSON GREGORY KENT, DALRYMPLE TIMOTHY MARK, KOWALCZYK MATTHEW THOMAS, SPALLER ROBERT WILLIAM, MURRAY DAVID WAYNE, MARGOLIN ALEXANDER S, CASLER RICK, NOOK CHRISTOPHER M, HERR HUGH MILLER
• Format: Patent
• Language: Chinese; English
• Published: 28.09.2011
• Subjects: BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; BLASTING; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES; ELECTRICITY; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FOMENTATION; GEARING; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; GENERATION; HEATING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PROSTHESES; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; WEAPONS

Hybrid terrain-adaptive lower-extremity apparatus and methods that perform in a variety of different situations by detecting the terrain that is being traversed, and adapting to the detected terrain. In some embodiments, the ability to control the apparatus for each of these situations builds upon five basic capabilities: (1) determining the activity being performed; (2) dynamically controlling the characteristics of the apparatus based on the activity that is being performed; (3) dynamically driving the apparatus based on the activity that is being performed; (4) determining terrain texture irregularities (e.g., how sticky is the terrain, how slippery is the terrain, is the terrain coarse or smooth, does the terrain have any obstructions, such as rocks) and (5) a mechanical design of the apparatus that can respond to the dynamic control and dynamic drive.