Spring design for prosthetic applications

    公开(公告)号:US11324611B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-05-10

    申请号:US16482843

    申请日:2018-05-08

    摘要: A prosthesis, including a prosthetic foot, a prosthetic talocrural joint, a prosthetic ankle pivotally coupled to the prosthetic foot and a four-area bending beam. The four-area bending beam includes a U-shaped or other spring. One end of the spring is mechanically coupled via two of the four areas to the prosthetic foot. The other end of the spring is mechanically coupled via the other two areas to the prosthetic ankle. The spring resiliently resists pivoting of the prosthetic ankle about the prosthetic talocrural joint. The four-area bending beam exhibits an at least approximately constant moment along its length to maximize strain energy density, storing about four times as much elastic energy as a comparable cantilevered beam, thereby providing high stiffness and high range of motion to the ankle. The spring is modular, being easily replaced with another spring exhibiting a different stiffness, ex., to tailor the prosthesis to a user.

    Metal matrix composite orthopedic replacements

    公开(公告)号:US10926002B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-02-23

    申请号:US16230184

    申请日:2018-12-21

    发明人: Michael Paul Rowe

    摘要: Orthopedic replacements include are formed at least partially of composite materials including a metal matrix with reinforcing carbon fiber integrated into the matrix. The composite materials have substantially lower density than metal, and are expected to have appreciable strength. The orthopedic replacements can include a bone attachment portion and a load bearing portion. In some versions, the orthopedic replacements can include a core formed of the composite material, with a shape completion portion, formed for example from plastic, at least partially coating the core.