Prosthetic foot with a resilient ankle
A prosthetic foot device includes an elongated upper forefoot portion and a shock absorbing ankle portion. The forefoot portion can extend from an upper attachment section, downwardly through an ankle section, forwardly through an arch section, and to a toe section. The ankle portions can include at least two substantially straight sections including a first section extending downwardly and forwardly under the ankle section of the forefoot portion, and a second section extending downwardly and rearwardly to a heel section positioned at a heel location of a natural heel.
1 . A prosthetic foot device, comprising:
a) an elongated forefoot portion extending 1) from an upper attachment section configured to be coupled to a limb of an amputee, 2) downwardly through an ankle section substantially positioned at an ankle location of a natural foot, 3) forwardly through an arch section, and 4) to a toe section positioned at a toe location of a natural foot; and
b) an elongated ankle portion, extending 1) downwardly and forwardly under the forefoot portion, and 2) downwardly and rearwardly to a heel section positioned at a heel location of a natural heel.
2 . A prosthetic foot device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the ankle portion forms a resilient spring member to absorb shock and cushion to the forefoot portion, and includes at least two substantially straight sections that are formed of a composite material with fiber in a resin matrix and are flexible to store energy and resilient to return energy.
3 . A device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the forefoot portion and the ankle portion are flexible to store energy and resilient to return energy.
4 . A device in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the forefoot portion and the ankle portion include a composite material with fiber in a resin matrix.
5 . A device in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:
a lower footplate, disposed under the forefoot and ankle portions, and extending between a heel section positioned at the heel location of the natural heel and a toe section positioned at the toe location of the natural foot.
6 . A device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the forefoot portion includes at least two laterally separated and adjacent forefoot portions.
7 . A device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the upper attachment section of the upper forefoot portion is disposed at an oblique angle.
8 . A device in accordance with claim 7 , further comprising:
an attachment member, configured to be coupled to a limb of an amputee, having a lower oblique surface; and wherein the upper attachment section of the forefoot portion is attached to the lower oblique surface of the attachment member.
9 . A device in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:
a reinforcement member having an attachment section configured to be coupled to the limb of the amputee and a heel section positioned above the heel section of the ankle portion.
10 . A prosthetic foot device, comprising:
a) an elongated forefoot portion extending 1) from an upper attachment section configured to be coupled to a limb of an amputee, 2) downwardly through an ankle section substantially positioned at an ankle location of a natural foot, 3) forwardly through an arch section, and 4) to a toe section positioned at a toe location of a natural foot; and
b) an elongated ankle portion including at least two substantially straight sections including 1) a first section extending downwardly and forwardly under the forefoot portion, and 2) a second section extending downwardly and rearwardly to a heel section positioned at a heel location of a natural heel; and
c) the ankle portion forming a resilient spring member to absorb shock and cushion to the forefoot portion, and being formed of a composite material with fiber in a resin matrix.
11 . A device in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the forefoot portion is flexible to store energy and resilient to return energy.
12 . A device in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the forefoot portion includes a composite material with fiber in a resin matrix.
13 . A device in accordance with claim 10 , further comprising:
a lower footplate, disposed under the forefoot and ankle portions, and extending between a heel section positioned at the heel location of the natural heel and a toe section positioned at the toe location of the natural foot.
14 . A device in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the forefoot portion includes at least two laterally separated and adjacent forefoot portions.
15 . A device in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the upper attachment section of the upper forefoot portion is disposed at an oblique angle.
16 . A device in accordance with claim 10 , further comprising:
a reinforcement member having an attachment section configured to be coupled to the limb of the amputee and a heel section positioned above the heel section of the ankle portion.
17 . A prosthetic foot device, comprising:
a) an elongated forefoot portion extending 1) from an upper attachment section configured to be coupled to a limb of an amputee, 2) downwardly through an ankle section substantially positioned at an ankle location of a natural foot, 3) forwardly through an arch section, and 4) to a toe section positioned at a toe location of a natural foot; and
b) a shock absorbing ankle portion positioned under the forefoot portion, including at least two substantially straight sections, the substantially straight sections including a first section extending downwardly and forwardly underneath the forefoot member, and a second section extending downwardly and rearwardly underneath the first section to a heel section positioned at a heel location of a natural heel.
18 . A device in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the ankle portion further includes a curved section interconnecting the at least two substantially straight sections.
19 . A device in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the forefoot portion is flexible to store energy and resilient to return energy.
20 . A device in accordance with claim 19 , wherein the forefoot portion includes a composite material with fiber in a resin matrix.