Orthopedic knee joint and method for controlling an orthopedic knee joint

Abstract

An orthopedic knee joint having an upper part with upper connecting features, a lower part which is mounted pivotably on the upper part and has connecting features for prosthetic components, and a stop for limiting an extension movement. The stop and is coupled to an adjusting device, which is coupled to a control device that actuates the adjusting device as a function of sensor data and changes the position of the stop. If the knee joint is provided with an adjustable extension stop position, the extension stop can be shifted forward for walking, which results in a greater inclination at heel strike in order to flex the knee joint and, therefore, increased damping upon initiation of the stance phase. For standing, the adjusting device can be activated so that the extension stop is reversed, such that a statically more secure orthosis or prosthesis set-up can be obtained.

1 . An orthopedic knee joint, with an upper part on which upper connecting means are arranged, with a lower part which is mounted pivotably on the upper part and has connecting means for orthopedic components, and with a stop for limiting an extension movement, wherein the stop is designed to be movable and is coupled to an adjusting device, which is coupled to a control device that actuates the adjusting device as a function of sensor data and changes the position of the stop. 
     
     
         2 . The orthopedic knee joint as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting device is an electric motor. 
     
     
         3 . The orthopedic knee joint as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting device adjusts the stop hydraulically. 
     
     
         4 . The orthopedic knee joint as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sensor data are determined via sensors designed as flexion angle sensor, acceleration sensor, inclination sensor and/or force sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The orthopedic knee joint as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the stop is coupled to the adjusting device via a thread. 
     
     
         6 . The orthopedic knee joint as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the stop is designed as a blocking device in a hydraulic line, said blocking device being coupled to the adjusting device. 
     
     
         7 . An orthopedic knee joint, comprising:
 an upper part having upper connecting features;   a lower part mounted pivotably on the upper part and being configured to connect to orthopedic components;   a stop configured to limit an extension movement, the stop being movable;   an adjusting device coupled to the stop;   at least one sensor configured to determine a position of the upper part relative to the lower part;   a control device coupled to the adjusting device and being configured to actuate the adjusting device to change the position of the stop as a function of data provided by the at least one sensor.   
     
     
         8 . The orthopedic knee joint as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the adjusting device is an electric motor. 
     
     
         9 . The orthopedic knee joint as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the adjusting device adjusts the stop hydraulically. 
     
     
         10 . The orthopedic knee joint as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of a flexion angle sensor, an acceleration sensor, an inclination sensor, and a force sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The orthopedic knee joint as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the stop is coupled to the adjusting device via a thread. 
     
     
         12 . The orthopedic knee joint as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the stop is designed as a blocking device in a hydraulic line, said blocking device being coupled to the adjusting device.