A HYDRAULIC PROSTHETIC JOINT

• Main Authors: BOENDER, JENNIFER A, BOENDER, JACOB QUINTUS LAURENS ANTHONY
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 22.06.2016
• Subjects: BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; BLASTING; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FOMENTATION; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; LIGHTING; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PROSTHESES; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; SPRINGS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; WEAPONS

The present invention relates to artificial limbs generally and to joints for the same. In particular, the present invention provides hydraulic functional units (35), generally classified as damping devices as connected between artificial limbs whereby to enable movement of artificial joints to closely correspond with natural human movement. In the provision of realistic joints, as used in prosthetic limbs, an important aspect in attempting to achieve a realistic movement is to provide a different operating characteristic to the joint when under load. Indeed, one of the more important characteristics of an artificial leg for achieving a natural-looking walking gait correspond with those of a so called stabilized knee, i.e. a knee which resists flexion when under load, that is when it is bearing at least some of the weight of the amputee. In accordance with the invention, there is provided hydraulic damper control elements for prostheses which utilize a pressure differential due to the presence a fluid flow as a direct control input for a at least one hydraulic valve (47). The valve can comprise a vortex flow arrangement (47f) to cause fluid flow to circulate about aperture. The valve can comprise a moveable element which abuts a resiliently mounted element which reduces the size of an aperture as the force increases.