Variable mechanical-impedance artificial legs

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 8551184
SERIAL NO

13363820

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

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Abstract

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In one aspect, the invention provides methods and apparatus facilitating an adjustable-stiffness prosthesis or orthosis (including approximations to arbitrarily definable non-linear spring functions). Spring rates may be varied under no-load conditions during a walking gate cycle to minimize power consumption. In another aspect, the invention provides methods and apparatus for outputting positive power from a prosthesis or orthosis, facilitating high-performance artificial limbs. In one embodiment of the invention, the positive power is transferred from a functioning muscle to the prosthesis or orthosis, which mimics or assists a non-functioning or impaired muscle. In another embodiment of the invention, the positive power comes from an on-board power source in the prosthesis or orthosis.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE LP11501 ALTERRA PARKWAY SUITE 600 AUSTIN TX 78758

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Herr, Hugh M Somerville, US 88 5757

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