Patent ID: 8926711
Filing Date: 2015-01-06
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A prosthetic ankle, comprising: a housing for coupling to a foot blade having an upper portion with a pivot axis; a curved cylinder in the housing; the curved cylinder having a central, circular radius of curvature to the pivot axis, the centerline of the cylinder lying in a plane orthogonal to the pivot axis and having a circular cross section as measured along a radius extending from said pivot axis; an ankle component adapted for coupling to a pylon coupling, the ankle component being pivotally attached to the housing at the center for curvature of the cylinder; a piston disposed within said curved cylinder so as to define a front and a rear variable volume chamber within the cylinder, said front variable volume chamber being defined by a first face of said piston and a first portion of said curved cylinder and said rear variable volume chamber being defined by a second face of said piston and a second portion of said curved cylinder, said front and rear chamber being in fluid communication with one another; and a curved rod having a centerline coextensive with the centerline of the cylinder; the curved rod mechanically engages said ankle component, said curved rod extending into said curved cylinder so as to engage said piston; said curved cylinder including a back portion having a first opening which seals against a first portion of said curved rod so as to allow said rod to pass therethrough, and establish a mechanical linkage between said ankle component and said piston, and a front portion having a second aperture therein which seals against a second portion of said curved rod so as to allow said rod to pass therethrough; whereby fluid is exchanged between the front and rear chambers to control dampening as the ankle pivots between plantarflexion and dorsiflexion.