Abstract:
A powered lower extremity orthotic (100; 310), including a shank link (105; 305) coupled to an artificial foot (108; 301), a knee mechanism (107; 306) connected to the shank link (105; 305) and a thigh link (103; 307), is controlled by based on signals from various orthotic mounted sensors (122, 124, 126, 127) such that the artificial foot (108; 301) follows a predetermined trajectory defined by at least one Cartesian coordinate.
Abstract:
A lower limb orthotic device (100) includes a thigh link (101) connected to a hip link (102) through a hip joint (103). a hip torque generator (106) including a hip actuator (110) and a first mechanical transmission mechanism (111) interposed between the thigh link ( 101) and the hip link (102), a shank link (104) connected to the thigh link (101) through a knee joint ( 105), a knee torque generator ( 107) including a knee actuator (112) and a second mechanical transmission mechanism (113) interposed between the thigh link (101) and the shank link (104), and a controller (108), such as for a common motor (154) and pump (156) connected to the hip and knee torque generators (106, 107), for regulating relative positions of the various components in order to power a user through a natural walking motion, with the first and second mechanical transmission mechanisms (111, 113) aiding in evening out torque over the ranges of motion, while also increasing the range of motion where the torque generators (106, 107) can produce a non-zero torque.
Abstract:
A semi-actuated above knee prosthetic system (100), includes a shank link (105) coupled to an artificial foot (108), a knee mechanism (107) connected to the shank link (105) and a thigh link (103) attached to an above-knee remaining lower limb (110) of an amputee, is operable in two modes controlled by a signal processor (130) linked to various sensors (120,122,124,126,127). In the actuated mode, power is delivered to a torque generator (104) connected to the knee mechanism (107) to move thigh (103) and shank links (105). In the un-actuated mode, a control circuit (204) operates in a non-powered manner with modulated resistance in the knee mechanism (107). Power is delivered through an electric motor (202) connected to a battery source (205) and employed to drive a hydraulic pump (201) as part of an overall hydraulic power unit (200) including the torque generator (104)