U.S. patent application number 09/816902 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-26 for self-adjusting prosthetic ankle apparatus.
Invention is credited to Koniuk, Wayne.
Application Number | 20020138153 09/816902 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27735021 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020138153 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koniuk, Wayne |
September 26, 2002 |
SELF-ADJUSTING PROSTHETIC ANKLE APPARATUS
Abstract
An auto-adjusting prosthetic ankle apparatus includes a base
portion that is pivotally fixed to an attachment portion. The base
portion is structured for being fixed to a foot blade, while the
attachment portion is structured for fixing the prosthetic ankle
apparatus to a lower leg portion of a prosthetic limb. The
prosthetic ankle includes a computer controllable damping mechanism
that is functionally and mechanically coupled between the base
portion and the attachment portion. The damping mechanism enables a
damping level to be selectively applied to lightly damp or heavily
damp a relative motion between the base portion and the attachment
portion as a user is walking to provide an auto-adjusting of the
prosthetic ankle to changes in a ground surface being traversed and
during various stages of a walking cycle.
Inventors: |
Koniuk, Wayne; (Belmont,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard W. Goldstein
2071 Clove Road
Staten Island
NY
10304
US
|
Family ID: |
27735021 |
Appl. No.: |
09/816902 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
623/24 ; 623/26;
623/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2002/5003 20130101;
A61F 2002/7635 20130101; A61F 2002/5018 20130101; A61F 2/74
20210801; A61F 2002/5004 20130101; A61F 2/68 20130101; A61F 2/6607
20130101; A61F 2002/7625 20130101; A61F 2002/6854 20130101; A61F
2002/704 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
623/24 ; 623/26;
623/52 |
International
Class: |
A61F 002/66; A61F
002/70; A61F 002/74 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An auto-adjusting prosthetic ankle apparatus, comprising: a) a
base portion; b) an attachment portion for fixing the prosthetic
ankle apparatus to a lower leg portion of a prosthetic limb, the
attachment portion pivotally fixed to the base portion to enable
pivoting of the attachment portion with respect to the base
portion, to any position between a first position and a second
position; c) a dynamically controllable damping means structured
for functionally coupling between the base portion and the
attachment portion, the damping means selectively varying a degree
of damping of the pivoting of the base portion with respect to the
attachment portion to be one of either a first damping level or a
second damping level; d) a sensing module for detecting when: i) a
pre-selected portion of a prosthetic limb fixed to the attachment
portion is in a pre-selected vertical orientation; and ii) when a
prosthetic foot of a user is contacting and not contacting a ground
surface; e) a control means structured for setting the damping
means to the first damping level, for a first interval of a walking
cycle of a user, and the second damping level for a second interval
of the walking cycle as determined by detections of the sensing
module.
2. The auto-adjusting ankle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
sensing means includes a level indicating device to determine when
a prosthetic limb fixed to the attachment portion is in a
pre-selected vertical orientation.
3. The auto-adjusting ankle in accordance with claim 2, wherein the
second damping level creates greater resistance to pivoting of the
base than the first damping level, wherein the pre-selected portion
of the prosthetic limb is a vertical pylon, and wherein the second
damping level is enabled when the vertical pylon is plumb.
4. The auto-adjusting ankle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
sensing means includes at least one of: a) a micro-switch for
indicating to the control and computing means when ground
contacting is occurring or not occurring, and b) a load cell
installed in the either the attachment portion or a portion of a
prosthetic limb fixed thereto; and wherein the first damping level
is selected when the micro-switch indicates that the base has
contacted the ground and while the pylon is not vertical.
5. The auto-adjusting ankle in accordance with claim 1, with the
dynamically controllable damping means comprising: a) a hydraulic
system having a plurality of hydraulic cylinders, including a first
hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder, each hydraulic
cylinder structured having a cylinder casing and an associated
piston, with each hydraulic cylinder forming an internal pressure
chamber; b) the first hydraulic cylinder positioned in front of the
attachment portion, closer to a front portion of an attachable foot
blade, while the second hydraulic cylinder is positioned behind the
attachment portion, closer to a heel portion of an attachable foot
blade; c) the casing of each respective hydraulic cylinder fixed to
the attachment portion so as to pivot and move with the attachment
portion, while each respective piston is coupled to the base
portion, thereby forcing a first piston to increase a pressure
within an associated internal chamber, while a second piston
decreases pressure within a second internal chamber; and d) a
transfer conduit arranged to provide a fluid coupling between the
internal chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder and the internal
chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder; e) the transfer conduit
connecting the internal chambers of the first hydraulic cylinder
and second hydraulic cylinder, including a dynamic damping
structure, provided to selectively restrict the flow of a fluid
flowing from one of the internal chambers in which pressure is
increasing into the other of the internal chamber, the damping
means operatively coupled to and responsive to the control
means.
6. The auto-adjusting ankle in accordance with claim 5, wherein the
damping means includes: a) a magnetic field generating element
responsive to the control and computing means for selectively
establishing a magnetic field that penetrates the transfer conduit
and fluid passing therethrough; and b) a volume of
magnetorheological fluid a portion of which is located within the
transfer conduit and influenced by the magnetic field generating
element so that when a magnetic field having a first field strength
is generated the first damping level is established, and when a
magnetic field having a second field strength is generated the
second damping level is established.
7. The auto-adjusting ankle in accordance with claim 6, wherein the
magnetic field generating element is provided by a magnetic coil
that is formed with by coiling of a wire around a magnetically
transparent fluid transfer conduit.
8. An auto-adjusting prosthetic ankle apparatus, for attachment to
a prosthetic limb having a lower portion, comprising: a) a base
portion structured for fixing to a foot blade; b) an attachment
portion structured for fixing to the lower portion of the
prosthetic limb to the ankle apparatus, the attachment portion
pivotally mounted to the base portion to enable a foot blade fixed
to the base portion to be pivoted to any position, with respect to
the attachment portion, between a first position and a second
position; c) a dynamically controllable damping mechanism coupled
between the base portion and the attachment portion, the damping
mechanism including at least one hydraulic cylinder enabling a
level of damping to be changed from a first damping level to a
second damping level; d) a level indicating device for indicating
when a longitudinal axis of the attachment portion of the
prosthetic limb fixed thereto reaches a vertical orientation; and
e) a control and computing module operatively coupled to the
damping means to establish the level of damping selected from a
group of damping levels consisting of: i) a first damping level,
and ii) a second damping level.
9. The auto-adjusting prosthetic ankle in accordance with claim 8,
wherein the control and computing module is configured to receive
information from the level indicating device and thereby choose
between the first damping level and second damping level.
10. The auto-adjusting ankle in accordance with claim 9, wherein
the level indicating device is provided by a solid state
inclinometer unit.
11. The auto-adjusting prosthetic ankle in accordance with claim 9,
with the dynamically controllable damping mechanism comprising: a)
a hydraulic system having a plurality of internal hydraulic
pressure chambers, wherein a pivoting motion between the base
portion and the attachment portion results in a transfer of fluid
between a first internal hydraulic pressure chamber and a second
internal hydraulic pressure chamber; and b) transfer means
including a controllable fluid coupling established between the
first internal hydraulic pressure chamber and the second internal
hydraulic pressure chamber, wherein the controllable fluid
coupling, under control of the control and computing module,
selectively restricts the flow of a fluid between internal
hydraulic pressure chambers, thereby selectively enabling a level
of damping to be changed between a first damping level and a second
damping level.
12. The auto-adjusting prosthetic ankle in accordance with claim
11, wherein each internal hydraulic pressure chamber is provided in
a distinct hydraulic cylinder.
13. The auto-adjusting prosthetic ankle in accordance with claim
12, comprising two hydraulic cylinders.
14. A damping and control apparatus for use with a prosthetic
ankle, the damping and control apparatus connected between a base
portion and an attachment portion of the prosthetic ankle, wherein
the attachment portion is pivotally mounted to the base portion,
with the damping and control apparatus enabling the dynamic damping
of pivoting motion between the base portion and the attachment
portion, the damping and control apparatus comprising: a) a
dynamically controllable damping means functionally coupled between
the base portion and the attachment portion, the damping means
comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder providing a plurality of
internal pressure chambers enabling a level of damping to be
changed from a first damping level to a second damping level; b) a
level indicating device for indicating when a longitudinal axis of
the attachment portion of a prosthetic limb fixed thereto reaches a
pre-selected vertical orientation; c) a control and computing
module operatively coupled to the damping means to establish a
level of damping selected from a group of damping levels consisting
of: i) a first damping level, and ii) a second damping level; and
d) a ground surface contacting device operatively coupled to the
control and computing module to indicate when a prosthetic foot of
the prosthetic ankle is contacting and not contacting a ground
surface.
15. The damping and control apparatus as recited in claim 14,
wherein the control and computing module selects the second damping
level in response to the level indicating device indicating that
the attachment portion is vertical and selects the first damping
level when the level indicating device is not vertical.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates most generally prosthetic
limbs. More particularly, the invention provides an improved ankle
prosthesis that automatically adjusts to and accommodates a variety
of heel heights and surface slopes, most preferably with little or
no input from a wearer.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] It is well known that users of prosthetic legs must
constantly deal with several important issues in order to achieve
natural and comfortable walking. A first issue occurs when the user
encounters a slope of a ground surface being traversed and walked
over. A second issue is produced by changes in the effective `heel
height` of differing shoes worn over prosthetic feet of a
prosthetic limb. Until recently, a common approach was to
physically change the foot on the prosthesis, or exchange the
entire prosthetic leg when the need for differing heel heights
arises. Changes in a ground slope had simply to be tolerated as an
uncomfortable reality of prosthetic leg use. For completeness, a
discussion of these issues and specific details associated with
changes in heel height, and equivalently, a change in a slope being
traversed by an amputee, will now be briefly presented.
[0003] The inability to change heel heights causes many physical
and safety problems. As an example, consider a `below-the-knee`
amputee. As shown in FIG. 1A, if the heel height of a prosthetic
foot/limb is increased at A, an upper portion of the prosthetic leg
is forced forward, for example at B. This results in a forwardly
directed force or pressure being exerted upon the knee of the
wearer. Accordingly, the knee would then have to be stabilized by
repeated and possibly excessive use of the quadriceps muscle. Such
activities and forces will certainly result in skin irritation, and
possibly in blisters and or ulceration of tissue in contact
areas.
[0004] Similarly, if a heel is lowered, as can be seen in FIG. 1B,
a rearwardly oriented force is exerted upon the knee, tilting the
leg backwards. In this scenario, there is a possibility of that the
wearer will hyper-extend the knee, have difficulty in walking over
a now stiff toe lever, and may lead to ligament damage. It may be
noted that when considering an above-the-knee amputee, an analogous
set of scenarios exist and leads to similar discomforts and
injuries.
[0005] Another aspect of heel height changes is associated with
changes in a slope of a ground surface being walked over and
traversed. As is known to prosthetists and other skilled
individuals, artificial limbs are essentially designed to be used
over smooth and horizontal surfaces. They may function adequately
when a wearer has to traverse a short, slight incline. However,
each time a hill, ramp, or inclined drive or walkway of any
significance is encountered, the above noted problems come to into
play. Indeed, step inclines are essentially not traversable without
resorting to possibly dangerous and embarrassing maneuvers such as
walking sideways with the longitudinal length of the foot
perpendicular to the direction of motion.
[0006] At present, mechanical heel adjusting means and methods have
been difficult to set or calibrate, and do not solve the problem
regarding an automatic adjusting to heel height changes, or
inclining and declining surfaces. Recently, several noteworthy
attempts have been made to address the above described problems and
associated issues. However, each of these inventions discloses
devices that are quite complicated in structure, and while useful
for their intended purposes, do not exhibit the features and
advantages of the present invention. For example, these devices
have been found to be noisy, heavy, and/or of low reliability.
[0007] Yet other currently available prosthetic limbs require a
wearer to press buttons each time a change occurs in a slope being
traversed. This can be very inconvenient, especially in hilly and
crowded locations, and may prove embarrassing to some users.
[0008] Therefore, skilled individuals will understand a need for
simplified, improved, and efficient prosthetic ankle architectures.
In particular, there is a need for improved automatically and
continually adjusting prosthetic ankles that are simple to operate
and reliable. A full understanding of the present invention,
including an understanding of a number of capabilities,
characteristics, and associated novel features, will result from a
careful review of the description and figures of several
embodiments provided herein. Attention is called to the fact,
however, that the drawings and descriptions are illustrative only.
Variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated as being part
of the invention, limited only by the scope of the appended
claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with the present invention, an auto-adjusting
prosthetic ankle apparatus includes a novel damping and control
arrangement. In a preferred embodiment, a base portion is
structured for accepting and being fixed to a suitable foot blade.
An attachment portion is provided for fixing the prosthetic ankle
apparatus of the invention to a lower leg portion of a prosthetic
limb. The attachment portion is pivotally fixed to the base
portion, thereby enabling a pivoting or pivoting motion between the
base portion, and items such as a foot blade that may be fixed
thereto, with respect to the attachment portion. For example, a
pivoting motion may include a range of plus/minus 10 to 30 degrees,
and may enable a pivoting to any selected position between a first
position and a second position.
[0010] The invention further includes a dynamically controllable
damping means. The damping means is structured for functional
coupling, or linking, of the base portion and the attachment
portion. Importantly, the damping means is arranged to selectively
allow unencumbered relative motion of the attachment portion or
effectively prevent relative motion thereof, by selecting an amount
or level of damping applied to any relative motion between the base
portion and the attachment portion to be one of either a first
damping level or a second damping level. In addition, the actual
damping level will most preferably be changeable in a rapid and
virtually noise free fashion and provide a ratio of a second
damping level to a first damping level of at least 10.
[0011] An electronics module is provided along with a sensing
module including a plurality of sensing devices. The sensing
devices enable the apparatus of the invention to determine when:
(a) a portion of a prosthetic limb fixed to the attachment portion
is moved to a pre-selected substantially vertical orientation, and
(b) when a prosthetic foot of a user, which is coupled to the base
portion, is contacting a ground surface being traversed by the
user. As such, the sensing module may be configured with a level
indicating device that may be fixed to the attachment portion (to
determine when the orientation thereof is at the pre-selected
substantially vertical orientation) and a ground surface contacting
sensor.
[0012] Embodiments of the sensing module are to be structured for
determining over what temporal intervals in a walking cycle the
damping level is to be set to a first damping level and at what
temporal intervals the damping level is to be set to a second
damping level. As an astute observer will appreciate, the advantage
of selectively and dynamically alternating between a first and
second damping level may result in a much more natural gait and
walking motion, along with the ability to automatically adjust the
prosthetic ankle of the invention to changes in heel height and the
slope of a ground surface being traversed. A preferred dynamic
controlling of the damping means will result in a first damping
level being established for a first interval of a walking cycle of
a user, with a second damping level being established for a second
interval (of the same walking cycle).
[0013] A control and computing means is included for receiving
information from the sensing means for determining how and when a
selected level of damping applied between the base portion and the
attachment portion is to be altered. The control and computing
means may be interfaced to a suitably miniaturized user interface,
which may include one or more input devices (e.g., switches and
pushbuttons) and one or more output devices such as a small display
or annunciator elements.
[0014] As will be discussed in great detail hereinafter, the most
preferred embodiments of the dynamically controllable damping means
will include a hydraulic system including one or more hydraulic
cylinders providing a plurality of hydraulically coupled internal
pressure cylinders. A preferred form of realizing the dynamically
controlled damping of pivoting motion between the base portion and
the attachments structure simply controls the flow of fluid that is
transferred from a first internal pressure chamber to a second
internal pressure chamber. In a most preferred embodiment of the
hydraulic system of the invention, magnetorheological fluids are
employed to selectively, quietly and rapidly vary the damping level
between the first level and the second level without the activation
of any moving parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In the drawings, like elements are assigned like reference
numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, with the
emphasis instead placed upon the principles of the present
invention. Additionally, each of the embodiments depicted are but
one of a number of possible arrangements utilizing the fundamental
concepts of the present invention. The drawings are briefly
described as follows:
[0016] FIGS. 1A and 1B provide prior art illustrations for forces
generated and exerted by changes in heel height of a wearer of a
prosthetic limb.
[0017] FIGS. 2A through 2F provide a series of depictions of
important instants during a walking cycle of a prosthetic ankle and
foot.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic, simplified elevational view of an
embodiment of an auto-adjusting or auto-leveling prosthetic ankle
in accordance with the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a high level block diagram of an embodiment of the
invention that is consistent with the ankle depicted in FIG. 3.
[0020] FIG. 5 provides a high level schematic diagram of a
preferred embodiment auto-leveling ankle of the invention.
[0021] Partial List of Reference Numerals
[0022] 10--auto adjust ankle apparatus
[0023] 14--foot blade or base
[0024] 16a--illustrative foot
[0025] 16b--illustrative ankle joint
[0026] 16c--illustrative lower leg portion
[0027] 18--base portion
[0028] 22--main ankle pivot
[0029] 26--ankle pivot post
[0030] 28--pylon
[0031] 30--pylon clamp
[0032] 32--coil or magnetic coil
[0033] 34--attachment portion or attachment structure
[0034] 40--ground surface
[0035] 48--dynamic damping means
[0036] 50a--first hydraulic cylinder
[0037] 50b--second hydraulic cylinder
[0038] 52--hydraulic cylinder casing
[0039] 56--piston
[0040] 58--internal pressure chamber
[0041] 60--mounting support and bumper
[0042] 64--(fluid) transfer conduit
[0043] 64a--first end of 64
[0044] 64b--second end of 64
[0045] 67--plate
[0046] 100--electronics module
[0047] 102--control and computing module
[0048] 104--microcontroller
[0049] 105--electronic switch
[0050] 106--user interface
[0051] 110--inclinometer module
[0052] 112--ground surface contact sensor
[0053] 116a--power module
[0054] 116a--power regulator and changing circuit
[0055] 120--electronic coupling or link
DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND MODES OF THE INVENTION
[0056] It is important to establish a definition for several terms
and expressions that will be used throughout this disclosure. The
terms `ankle` or `ankle joint` as employed herein may be assumed to
be an arrangement including a base portion structured for accepting
and being fixed to a foot blade, an attachment portion structured
for fixing to a lower portion of a prosthetic limb/leg, and a pin
and or pivot arrangement enabling a pivoting motion between the
base portion and the attachment portion. The terms `dynamically
controlled damping level` and `damping level` are to be understood
to indicate that, in real-time, a level of damping applied
resisting motion between the base portion and the attachment
portion can be changed, most preferably in a rapid, step-wise
manner. As such, the damping is not fixed and will assume one of a
plurality of available damping levels, each applied for differing
portions of a walk cycle. The term `walk cycle` may be assumed to
indicate the time interval and associated motions that result from
an individual talking one full step with one leg. The cycle can be
defined to start at any point in the series of motions discretely
illustrated by example in FIG. 2, and is assumed to be
substantially cyclic and periodic in nature. This term will be
further discussed and defined below via examples. Other important
terms and definitions will be provided as they are needed, to
properly and concisely define the present invention and its
associated novel characteristics and features.
[0057] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 2A through 2F provide a
plurality of depictions illustrating discreet movements and moments
in a typical or preferred walk cycle. As can be seen in FIG. 2A,
the depicted walk cycle may commence at the end of the previous
cycle, when a wearer or user of the auto-adjusting ankle apparatus
10 of the invention lifts an illustrated foot 16a from a ground
surface 40. At this point the damping level may be dynamically
altered and set to a first damping level, which is preferably a low
damping level. This lower damping level allows the foot 16a to
easily flex with respect to the lower leg portion 16c. This first
damping level, as will be addressed shortly, will be maintained for
a portion of the walking cycle that may be termed `a first
interval` or `first temporal interval`. Alternately, the damping
level may be set to a first damping level when an illustrative
lower leg portion 16c is detected passing a pre-selected vertical
orientation, such as a plumb vertical position, as depicted in FIG.
2B, or when the foot first contacts the ground, as depicted in FIG.
2D. Regardless, of when the first damping level is established, the
lifted foot may then be moved forwardly, as depicted in FIGS. 2B
and 2C, until the foot again contacts the ground surface 40.
Importantly, the first damping level must be established when the
user's foot contacts the ground, as shown in FIG. 2C. As can be
seen in FIG. 2D, in the next instance, the illustrated foot 16a
pivots around an ankle joint 16b, and quite soon thereafter flushly
and fully contacts the ground surface 40. The foot must be allowed
to pivot easily, until the illustrated lower leg portion 16c
assumes a pre-selected vertical orientation (e.g., a plumb vertical
position) as shown in FIG. 2E. At this point, the damping level
should be set to the second, significantly greater, damping level
to effectively prevent pivoting of the foot. The relative
"stiffness" of the foot at this point is necessary to allow the
foot to provide a stable "grounding" while the user takes a step
with the other foot. It may be noted that the term `significantly
greater`, as applied to the relationship between the two damping
levels, will most preferably provide a ratio of the second damping
level to the first damping level of approximately and substantially
10 or more. Further, it should be understood that preferably a
damping controlling means and structures associated therewith will
enable preferred damping levels to be maintained or consistently
established regardless of commonly encountered, changeable
parameters, such as ambient temperature, humidity, etc. In
addition, it may be noted that the change from the first damping
level to the second damping level in FIG. 2E, results in the
automatic auto-leveling of a foot fixed to the lower portion of the
ankle apparatus 10 of the invention. In particular, waiting for the
lower leg portion 16c to be plumb, rather than simply orthogonal to
the foot allows the wearer to adapt to an incline, wherein the foot
must flex past the orthogonal position, to a position where the
foot actually forms an acute angle with the lower leg portion 16c.
However, the precise moment when the second damping level is
established, to "stiffen the ankle" should be when the lower leg
portion 16c is vertical (plumb), since at this point the wearer can
stably rest his weight upon that foot--regardless of the
incline.
[0058] As skilled individuals will appreciate, once the second
damping level is established in FIG. 2E, the wearer will continue
the walking cycle--now with the illustrated ankle joint in a
`stiffened state`, maintaining a possibly near orthogonal
relationship between the illustrated foot 16a and the illustrated
lower leg portion 16c (assuming the previous step was upon a level
ground surface). This is depicted in FIG. 2E and 2F. Finally, FIG.
2F transitions into FIG. 2A when the wearer lifts the illustrated
foot 16a. Importantly, the structures of the invention enable the
damping level applied to an ankle joint to be varied, and further
determine when a plurality of damping levels should each be
established to result in an more natural gait and walking
motion.
[0059] Turning now to FIG. 3 there is illustrated a diagrammatic,
somewhat simplified profile view of an embodiment of an
auto-adjusting or auto-leveling prosthetic ankle apparatus 10 in
accordance with the present invention. For purposes of establishing
consistency in conventions such as "clockwise" and
"counterclockwise", the depicted ankle in FIG. 3. may be considered
to be a right leg, as viewed from the inside, or a left leg, as
viewed from the outside. As shown, the prosthetic ankle apparatus
10 may include a lower base portion 18 that is coupled via an ankle
pivot pin 26 to an attachment portion 34. The portions of the
apparatus forming the pivot location of the apparatus may be termed
a `main ankle pivot`. The base portion 18 is structured for
accepting and having a foot blade 14 fixed thereto. The attachment
portion 34 is structured for fixing the prosthetic ankle apparatus
10 to a lower leg portion of a prosthetic limb. For example, as
illustrated in FIG. 3, an attachment portion 34, which is pivotally
fixed to the base portion 18, may be arranged with a pylon clamp 30
to accept and securely couple to a common prosthetic pylon 28.
[0060] The pivoting established by the ankle pivot post 26 enables
a pivoting of the base portion 18, with respect to the attachment
portion 34, to any position between a first position and a second
position. Most preferably, an angularly measured pivot range will
provide for a pivoting motion of plus and minus 10 to 30 degrees,
respectively, from a plumb vertical position. A dynamically
controllable damping means is included that is structured to enable
a damping level to be established that affects the pivoting of the
ankle apparatus 10, which is preferably directly and functionally
coupled between the base portion 18 and the attachment portion 34.
The dynamically controlled damping means 48, as shown in FIGS. 3
and 4, selectively enables a level of damping applied to a relative
motion between the base portion 18 and the attachment portion 34 to
be established at one of a first damping level or a second damping
level, or possibly any level therebetween.
[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 3, preferred embodiments of the
dynamically controllable damping means 48 will include a hydraulic
system including one or more hydraulic cylinders providing a
plurality of hydraulically coupled internal pressure cylinders. A
most preferred form of damping is realized by a dynamically
controlled damping of a pivoting motion of the ankle that simply
controls a rate of flow of fluid that is transferred from a first
internal pressure chamber 58 to a second internal pressure chamber.
As such, when considering the structure of the embodiment depicted
in FIG. 3, fluid is transferred from one hydraulic cylinder to a
second by way of a fluidic coupling, which may be termed a fluid
transfer conduit 64. As such, when the attachment portion 34 is
pivoted in a counter clockwise direction, fluid is transferred from
a first hydraulic cylinder 50a, which is positioned in front of the
attachment portion 34 and closer to a front portion of an
attachable foot blade 14. The fluid transferred from the first
hydraulic cylinder 50a is coupled to a second hydraulic cylinder
50b that is positioned behind the attachment portion 34, closer to
a heel portion of an attachable foot blade 14. Similarly, fluid is
transferred in the opposite direction, from the second hydraulic
cylinder 50b to the first hydraulic cylinder 50a as the attachment
portion 34 is pivoted in a clockwise direction. It must be noted
that such a structure enables a damping level to be established by
simply altering the resistance to fluid flow through a fluid
transfer conduit 64. Accordingly, any arrangement that is
structured to control a flow rate at which fluid may be transferred
from a first internal chamber to a second internal chamber, which
thereby may be employed to select a first damping level or a second
damping level to be available, is considered within the scope of
the invention. Further, it is certainly possible to employ
conventional damping control arrangements, including piezo-type
values, controllable petcock arrangements, and other flow control
mechanisms available and known to skilled persons who have studied
this disclosure. However, a most preferred embodiment of the
invention selectively enable a damping level to be changed from a
first damping level to a second damping level employs
magnetorheological (MR) fluids and the generation of magnetic
fields, which is fully consistent with the structures of FIGS. 3
and 4. Specifically, this form of a damping means will enable a
magnetic field that is generated in one of a number of fashions to
change the viscosity of an MR fluid flowing through the transfer
conduit 64; effectively varying the flow rate in a virtually silent
fashion, using virtually no moving parts.
[0062] As such, a preferred dynamic damping selection means will
include a magnetic field generating element responsive to the
control and computing means for selectively establishing a magnetic
field that penetrates the transfer conduit 64. A volume of
magnetorheological (MR) fluid, with a portion of the volume located
within a transfer conduit 64, or an equivalent passage way between
internal pressure chambers 58, is influenced by the magnetic field
generating element so that when a magnetic field having a first
field strength is generated the first damping level is selected,
and when a magnetic field having a second field strength is
generated the second damping level is selected.
[0063] Accordingly, preferred embodiments of the invention will
employ a control and computing module 102 for receiving and or
exchanging information with a ground surface contact sensor 112 and
an inclinometer module 110. The information may be processed to
determine when a dynamic damping means 48 is employed to
established the first damping level and the second damping level,
using the principles described above, in addition to well known
locomotive principles.
[0064] It may be noted that the user interface 106 may optionally
be included, as required, to enable a user or wearer to make
calibrating or operational adjustments to the circuits and modules
of the auto-adjusting ankle apparatus 10 of the present invention,
or to receive annunciations such as, for example, a low battery
indication. As such, preferred embodiments of the user interface
106 may include one or more miniaturized input devices, such as
switches and pushbuttons, and one or more very compact output
devices such as a small display and or annunciator elements.
[0065] A preferred structure, as shown in FIG. 3, for generating a
required magnetic field when magnetorheological (MR) fluids are
employed, may be provided using a magnetic generating coil 32. The
coil 32 is formed with by a coiling of a suitable gauge wire around
a magnetically transparent fluid transfer conduit 64. An
electronics module 100 is operatively coupled to the coil 32 to
cause the energizing the coil 32 and generating of one or more
suitable magnetic fields. The application of the magnetic field to
MR fluid flowing through the transfer conduit 64, as understood by
skilled persons familiar with MR fluids, results in the damping
level selectively changing from a first, lower level, to a second
higher damping level. In particular, though, by a most preferred
embodiment, the second damping level is achieved by suitably
energizing the coil 32 to stiffen the ankle once the pylon 28 is
vertical, to allow the weight of the wearer to be supported upon
the foot blade 14. In addition, the coil is substantially
de-energized (or substantially less energized) to allow the foot to
flex once it is lifted and then again contacts the ground
surface.
[0066] Returning to FIG. 3, as can be seen therein, each of the
first hydraulic cylinder 50a and the second hydraulic cylinder 50b
includes a hydraulic cylinder casing 52. Each hydraulic cylinder
casing 52 is structurally coupled to the attachment portion 34. For
example, a mounting plate 67 may be employed, as well as many other
providable arrangements and structures for such a coupling. As
such, due to the inclusion of mounting plate 67 (or equivalents)
the hydraulic cylinder casings are connected to, and will follow
the motions of the attachment portion 34. Indeed, it is
contemplated that the hydraulic cylinder casings 52 and the
attachment portion 34 may be formed with a cast and possibly
monolithic embodiment. As further shown, an internal pressure
chamber 58 of the first hydraulic cylinder 50a is fluidly coupled
to an internal pressure chamber 58 of the second hydraulic cylinder
50b via a fluid transfer conduit 64. Specifically, a first end 64a
of the transfer conduit 64 is operatively coupled to receive and
provide fluid to the internal chamber of the first hydraulic
cylinder 50a, while a second end 64b of the transfer conduit 64 is
operatively coupled to provide and receive fluid to an internal
chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder 50b.
[0067] Returning again to FIG. 3, each hydraulic cylinder 50 is
structured having a cylinder casing 52 and an associated piston 56.
As shown, each hydraulic cylinder 50 forms and contains an internal
pressure chamber 58 which results from a piston 56 being located
within the casing, thereby establishing the internal chamber
therein. One or more sealing rings (compression rings) may included
for containing the hydraulic fluids within the hydraulic cylinders
50. A preferred mounting arrangement for fixing or coupling a lower
portion of the piston 56 to the base portion 18 may include the use
of a mounting and support bumper 60, which is most preferably
somewhat flexible or yieldable.
[0068] Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated therein a high
level block diagram of a generalized embodiment of the invention
that is consistent with the auto-adjusting ankle apparatus 10
depicted in FIG. 3. As shown, a sensing module is included for
determining when: (1) a portion of a prosthetic limb fixed to the
attachment portion 34 is in or passes a pre-selected vertical
orientation, and (2) when a prosthetic foot of a user is contacting
a ground surface 40. The sensing module is structured for providing
information that may be employed to determine when the damping
means is to be set to the first damping level, for a first temporal
interval of a walking cycle of a user, and subsequently, when the
second damping level should be established for a second interval of
the walking cycle. In preferred embodiments, the sensor module
would include an inclinometer, preferably provided as a solid-state
accelerometer, and at least one ground surface contact sensor. A
suitable ground surface contact sensing may be provided by a simple
micro-switch or a load cell positioned to determine when the foot
blade or a prosthetic foot fixed to and/or around the foot blade is
contacting a ground surface 40.
[0069] As can be further seen in FIG. 4, a control and computing
module 102 is included, which may also be termed a `control and
computing means`. As shown, preferred embodiments of the control
and computing module 102 may be structured with a CPU and memory
102b, required analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog circuitry
102b, and needed interface components 102c. In a most preferred
embodiment of the invention, as shown in the schematic of FIG. 5, a
single chip microcontroller 104 may be utilized at the control and
computing module 102. Alternately, other complicated devices, such
as field programmed gate arrays (FPGAs) and or application specific
integrated circuits (ASICS) may be used to embody the control and
computing module 102. Regardless of the specific construction
actually employed, the control and computing module 102 of FIG. 4
is provided for receiving information from sensing means, including
the ground surface contact sensor 112 and the inclinometer module
110, and determining from the received information when and for how
long the damping level applied between the base portion 18 and the
attachment portion 34 is set to the first damping level and the
second damping level.
[0070] It may be noted that the electronics module 100 of FIG. 3,
which is contemplated to include items such as the control and
computing module 102 and a power module 116, may be mounted upon a
portion of the foot blade 14, or alternately mounted or included
within a housing that is fixed to the attachment portion 34. When
the electronics module 100 is mounted upon the attachment portion
34, it may most preferably contain items such as the inclinometer
module 110, the user interface 106, batteries 116b, etc. This
embodiment may then eliminate the need for the electronic couplings
120, that are illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0071] Returning to FIG. 4, a dynamic damping means 48 and a user
interface 106 are shown. The damping means may be provided as
discussed in FIG. 3, with a plurality of hydraulic cylinders having
fluidic couplings therebetween. Alternately, a single hydraulic
cylinder may be employed (not illustrated) having a plurality of
internal pressure chambers 58, further having required fluidic
couplings, through which the flow rate of fluid can be set to at
least two levels, enabling the establishing of a first damping
level and a second damping level.
[0072] A most preferred low cost embodiment of the invention
employing a single chip microcontroller 104 is shown in FIG. 5. As
can be seen in this high level schematic diagram, the
microcontroller 104 includes many required components of the
electronics module 100. For example, microcontroller 104
incorporates needed analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog
circuitry and various interface components. As shown, this
embodiment may be structured with analog inputs Ain1 and Ain2, as
well as a digital on/off output Dout1. The analog inputs are used
to operatively couple and sense information from the inclinometer
module 110, the ground surface contact sensor 112, etc. The digital
inputs may be arranged for controlling the magnetic coil 32 via a
current boosting electronic switch 114, or less preferably a
mechanical equivalent.
[0073] The auto-adjusting ankle apparatus 10 of the present
invention is to be employed as a highly portable and compact
apparatus that includes a fully self-contained power module 116. A
most preferred embodiment of a power module 116 may be structured
for use with rechargeable batteries, and is depicted in FIG. 5 as a
power regulator and charging circuit 116a and a rechargeable
battery 116b. Presently, the power regulator and charging circuit
116a may be provided by skilled persons in a very compact and
lightweight construction employing a small number of electronic
devices and or components. In addition, the rechargeable battery
116b is most preferably provided as a high capacity, high density
power source. At present lithium-ion battery technology is
preferred. In particular, the advent of solid electrolyte
polymer-type lithium batteries provide a most desirable power
source that is rugged and may be provided in a large variety of
shapes. A possibly most preferred location for mounting one or more
batteries 116b, may be within an interior space of the attachment
portion 34.
[0074] While there have been described a plurality of the currently
preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in
the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be
made without departing from the invention and it is intended to
claim all modifications and variations as fall within the scope of
the invention and the appended claims.
* * * * *