Prosthetic Energy Storing and Releasing Apparatus and Methods

Abstract

A prosthetic lower leg uses one or more generally C-shaped spring elements between the patient's socket and a foot-plate assembly. The respective connections between (a) those one or more elements and (b) that socket and that footplate can be configured to provide a lightweight and economic prosthesis that effectively mimics the feel and performance of a normal human foot. The prosthetic spring element is generally C-shaped, and can have a substantially constant thickness along its length, lending itself to being fabricated by automated processes such as filament winding. One or more of the generally C-shaped spring elements can be incorporated into other prostheses and/or other devices.

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         56 . An energy-storing and energy-releasing prosthetic pylon, said pylon including:
 a C-shaped portion, said C-shaped portion an open portion of the C facing anterior toward an amputee's toe region and a closed portion of the C facing posterior toward an amputee's heel region;   said C-shaped portion having a substantially continuous modulus of elasticity along its length, said length storing and releasing energy upon loading and unloading by its wearer during ambulation or other movement or use, said substantially continuous modulus of elasticity providing a generally equal capacity for spring action in an upper half of said C-shaped portion as for a lower half of said C-shaped portion,   said pylon connected to a socket, said C-shaped portion with said substantially continuous modulus of elasticity including an upper section within an upper half of said C-shaped portion, said upper section being anterior of a most distal anterior surface of said socket, said upper section not prevented from flexing movement by said connection between said pylon and said socket.   
     
     
         57 . A prosthetic lower leg including:
 At least two C-shaped spring elements, each having an upper end and a lower end, each spring element having a respective open portion where the C-shapes face forward with respect to an intended patient, said spring elements configured to cooperate with each other as the only elements, at least between said respective upper ends and said respective lower ends, for transmitting mechanical forces between a patient's socket and a ground contact point of the lower limb device, said spring elements operatively connected at their upper ends to said socket at a location that is both (a) anterior of a patient's weight line and (b) at a position at or anterior of a most distal anterior surface of the socket.