Magnetic locking mechanism for prosthetic or orthotic joints

Abstract

A magnetic locking actuator for a prosthetic or orthotic device is provided. The actuator includes a first component including one or more magnets and a second component including one or more magnets. The first and second components are coupled to separate portions of the device. The magnets allow for adjustment of a length of the actuator to adjust an angular orientation of the first and second portions of the device. When magnets in the second component are aligned with magnets in the first component having an opposite polarity, a position of the second component is fixed relative to the first component, locking the actuator. When magnets in the second component are not aligned with magnets in the first component having the opposite polarity, the position of the second component is adjustable relative to the first component, thereby allowing adjustment of the height of the actuator.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A prosthetic foot having an adjustable heel height, the prosthetic foot comprising:
 a first plate extending between an anterior end and a posterior end;   a second plate disposed below the first plate and extending between an anterior end and a posterior end;   an adapter comprising a first joint and a second joint, the first joint pivotally coupled to the posterior end of the first plate; and   a heel height adjustment mechanism coupled between second joint of the adapter and the posterior end of the second plate,   wherein the heel height adjustment mechanism comprising a stepper magnet actuator.   
     
     
         21 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second plates are coupled at the anterior end of the second plate, the posterior end of the second plate extending rearward of the posterior end of the first plate. 
     
     
         22 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 20 , wherein the stepper magnet actuator comprises a first magnet or magnet group and a second magnet or magnet group. 
     
     
         23 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 22 , wherein when a first polarity of the first magnet or magnet group aligns with a second polarity of the second magnet or magnet group, the second polarity being opposite to the first polarity, the heel height of the prosthetic foot is maintained, and when the first polarity of the first magnet or magnet group is moved out of alignment with the second polarity of the second magnet or magnet group, the heel height of the prosthetic foot is adjustable. 
     
     
         24 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 23 , wherein the stepper magnet actuator comprises first and second components movable between first relative positions where the first and second components are substantially locked relative to each other and second lative positions where the first and second components are adjustable relative to each other along a longitudinal axis of the stepper magnet actuator to adjust the heel height, wherein the first magnet or magnet group is on the first component and the second magnet or magnet group is on the second component. 
     
     
         25 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 24 , wherein the first component is coupled to the second joint of the adapter at a proximal connector joint of the first component. 
     
     
         26 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 24 , wherein the second component is coupled to the posterior end of the second plate at a distal connector joint of the second component. 
     
     
         27 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 24 , wherein the stepper magnet actuator further comprises a third component configured to engage the first and second components from opposite ends of the third component. 
     
     
         28 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 27 , wherein the third component is configured to be manually translated relative to a longitudinal axis of one or both of the first or second components to adjust the heel height of the prosthetic foot. 
     
     
         29 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 27 , wherein a position of the third component relative to the first and second components are configured to be reversibly locked by the first and second magnets or magnet groups. 
     
     
         30 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 27 , further comprising at least one magnet coupled to the third component. 
     
     
         31 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one magnet coupled to the third component extends circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the third component. 
     
     
         32 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 24 , wherein the first magnet or magnet group extends circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the first component. 
     
     
         33 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 24 , wherein the first component comprises a housing, the first magnet or magnet group being secured within the housing. 
     
     
         34 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 27 , wherein a proximal portion of the third component partially extends into an opening of a housing of the first component. 
     
     
         35 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 27 , wherein a proximal portion of the third component is configured to threadedly engage the first component and a distal portion of the third component is configured to threadedly engage the second component. 
     
     
         36 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 30 , wherein one or both of the first magnet or magnet group or the at least one magnet comprise a cylindrical magnet. 
     
     
         37 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 30 , wherein one or both of the first magnet or magnet group or the at least one magnet comprise split polarities or adjacent sections of alternating polarities. 
     
     
         38 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 20 , further comprising a third foot plate located below the second foot plate, an anterior end of the third foot plate defining a toe end of the prosthetic foot, and a posterior end of the third foot plate defining a heel end of the prosthetic foot. 
     
     
         39 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 38 , wherein the third foot plate is coupled to the anterior ends of the first and second foot plates, the anterior ends of the first and second foot plates being more posterior than the anterior end of the third foot plate.