Patent ID: 6702860
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A dynamic prosthetic foot having multiple load points, comprising:a sole having a toe end and a heel end; a slot formed in said heel end, said slot substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis of said dynamic prosthetic foot and said slot extending from said heel end of said sole to a preselected point in said sole; said slot dividing said heel end into a lateral heel member and a medial heel member; said heel end having a pair of pylon supports formed therein, said pylon supports being separated from one another by said slot; said pair of pylon supports including a lateral, posterior pylon support and a medial, anterior pylon support; a heel extension, forming a part of said lateral heel member, being integral and generally coplanar with a lateral side only of said sole; said lateral, posterior pylon support diverging from said heel extension along a preselected transverse line about mid-length of said lateral side of said sole; said lateral heel member including a gradual ninety degree bend formed in said sole, said gradual ninety degree bend terminating in a vertical part that forms said lateral, posterior pylon support, said lateral, posterior pylon support being disposed substantially perpendicular to said sole; said medial heel member including a return bend formed in said sole at said heel end thereof and said medial heel member including a straight section substantially parallel to said sole that extends toward said toe of said foot; said straight section terminating in a gradual ninety degree bend formed integrally with said straight section, said gradual ninety degree bend terminating in a vertical part that forms said medial, anterior pylon support, said medial, anterior pylon support being disposed normal to said sole; said straight section having a length sufficient to position said medial, anterior pylon support in leading, anterior relation to said lateral, posterior pylon support; a lateral, posterior pylon connector secured to a trailing end of said lateral, posterior pylon support, said lateral, posterior pylon connector adapted to receive a lateral, posterior pylon of a prosthetic leg; a medial, anterior pylon connector secured to a trailing end of said medial, anterior pylon support, said lateral, anterior pylon connector adapted to receive a medial, anterior pylon of a prosthetic leg; whereby forces acting on said lateral, posterior pylon connector are substantially confined to said lateral, posterior pylon support and forces acting on said medial, anterior pylon connector are substantially confined to said medial, anterior pylon support; whereby said heel extension, said lateral, posterior pylon support and said medial, anterior pylon support cooperate with one another to provide a prosthetic foot that facilitates a rolling transition from heel strike to mid stance to push off.