Prosthetic feet and foot covers

Abstract

Prosthetic feet and foot covers that provide a more natural appearance and improved performance are provided. A foot element for a prosthetic foot can extend from a heel end to a toe end and include a heel, arch, forefoot, and toe regions. The forefoot region can be wider than the arch and heel regions. The toe region can include a U-shaped cut out to define a big toe. Various features of the foot element can guide rollover of the foot through the big toe during use. A foot cover can be designed to receive a prosthetic foot including such a foot element. The foot cover can have a region of increased flexibility at a transition between the forefoot region and toe region. The foot cover can also have a padded area extending from the heel region across a lateral part of the arch region and forefoot region.

1 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A prosthetic foot comprising:
 an elongate foot element extending from a heel end to a toe end, the foot element comprising a generally U-shaped cut-out portion at the toe end that is positioned toward a medial side of a longitudinal axis of the foot element, the cut-out portion dividing the toe end into a medial toe and a lateral toe portion, wherein the medial toe is angled toward the U-shaped cut-out portion; and   a cosmesis cover comprising a body having an outer surface and an inner surface and surrounding an inner cavity, the outer surface having the shape and contours of a natural human foot, the inner cavity configured to removably receive the foot element therein,   wherein the cosmesis cover comprises a toe region comprising a slot dividing the toe region into a medial toe and a lateral toe portion and configured to be disposed in the U-shaped cut-out portion of the foot element when the foot element is disposed within the cosmesis cover, and wherein, when the foot element is disposed in the cosmesis cover, the angled medial toe of the foot element forces the medial toe of the cosmesis cover toward the lateral toe portion of the cosmesis cover to at least partially close the slot.   
     
     
         14 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , wherein a portion of the medial toe of the cosmesis cover adjacent the slot has a thickness greater than a thickness of surrounding areas of the body of the cosmesis cover. 
     
     
         15 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , wherein the lateral toe portion of the cosmesis cover defines a plurality of toes disposed adjacent each other without intervening slots therebetween. 
     
     
         16 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , wherein the body comprises a region of increased flexibility at a transition between the forefoot region and the toe region. 
     
     
         17 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , wherein the body of the cosmesis cover is monolithic. 
     
     
         18 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 16 , wherein the region of increased flexibility is thinner than a remainder of the body or made of a different material than the remainder of the body. 
     
     
         19 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 16 , wherein the region of increased flexibility corresponds to a metatarsal joint of a natural human foot. 
     
     
         20 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 16 , wherein the body further comprises other regions of increased flexibility at areas corresponding to other joints between bones of toes in a natural human foot. 
     
     
         21 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , wherein the cosmesis cover further comprises a padded area extending from a heel region of the cosmesis cover and across a lateral portion of an arch region and a forefoot region of the cosmesis cover. 
     
     
         22 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , wherein a forefoot region of the cosmesis cover is wider than a reminder of the cosmesis cover. 
     
     
         23 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , wherein the body of the cosmesis cover comprises a sole portion and a sidewall extending upward from the sole portion, wherein an inner surface of the sole portion comprises a plurality of dimples configured to reduce distortion of the cosmesis cover during cooling during manufacture. 
     
     
         24 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , wherein the body of the cosmesis cover comprises a sidewall extending upward to approximately the level of an ankle of a natural human foot. 
     
     
         25 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , wherein the body of the cosmesis cover comprises a sidewall extending upward to a level below the level of an ankle of a natural human foot. 
     
     
         26 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , wherein the body of the cosmesis cover comprises a sidewall extending upward to a level above the level of an ankle of a natural human foot. 
     
     
         27 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , wherein the inner cavity of the body comprises an inner sole portion, wherein the foot element is configured to be positioned on the inner sole portion, a perimeter of the foot element substantially coinciding with a perimeter of the inner sole portion. 
     
     
         28 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , the foot element further comprises a lengthwise split, wherein a first portion of the split runs substantially straight in an anterior to posterior direction and a second portion curves in a medial direction and extends to a base of the cut-out portion. 
     
     
         29 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , further comprising an upper foot element coupled to the foot element via fasteners inserted through one or more attachment holes in the elongate foot element. 
     
     
         30 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 29 , wherein a widest part of a forefoot portion of the elongate foot element is distal to the one or more attachment holes. 
     
     
         31 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , further comprising a forefoot piece coupled to a bottom surface of at least a portion of a forefoot portion and a toe portion of the foot element. 
     
     
         32 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 13 , wherein the medial toe of the foot element is longer and extends further distally than the lateral toe portion of the foot element.