Prosthetic foot
View Patent ↗Embodiments of low cost prosthetic feet include a footplate with a connection mechanism embedded within a first foam element having a first stiffness. A second foam element is bonded to the footplate and has a recess in a proximal surface and a stiffness greater than the first foam element. The second foam element may have a portion extending past the terminal end of the footplate. A cosmesis encloses the components of the prosthetic foot. A third foam element that extends through the cosmesis into the second foam element may be provided. The third foam element may have a higher stiffness than the first and second foam elements.
1. A prosthetic foot comprising:
a first foam element having a first stiffness and substantially defining an outer periphery of the prosthetic foot;
a resilient footplate embedded within the first foam element, and having proximal and distal surfaces, and anterior and posterior portions, wherein at least a portion of each of the proximal and distal surfaces and the anterior and posterior portions is in contact with the first foam element;
a second foam element embedded within the first foam element and bonded to the distal surface of the posterior portion of the footplate, and further defining a recess along a proximal surface thereof, the second foam element having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness of the first foam element, the entirety of the second foam element being positioned in the posterior portion of the footplate and on the distal surface of the footplate;
wherein the recess of the second foam element forms an accommodation space between the proximal surface of the second foam element and the distal surface of the footplate;
a pyramid adapter;
a pyramid retained by the pyramid adapter; and
at least a portion of the pyramid adapter being embedded within the first foam element.
2. The prosthetic foot according to claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one attachment bolt securing the resilient foot plate to the pyramid adapter and the pyramid;
each attachment bolt extending through the footplate and further having a bolt head that is configured to engage the distal surface of the footplate; and
each bolt head accommodated within the recess of the second foam element between the proximal surface of the second foam element and the distal surface of the footplate.
3. The prosthetic foot according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a scuff, puncture and tear resistant outer shell defining a cosmesis that surrounds a substantial portion of the outer periphery.
4. The prosthetic foot according to claim 3 , wherein the stiffness of the cosmesis is within the range of 45-55 on the Shore A scale.
5. The prosthetic foot according to claim 1 , wherein the stiffness of the first foam element is within the range of 45-55 on the Shore A scale.
6. The prosthetic foot according to claim 1 , wherein the stiffness of the second foam element is about 60 on the Shore A scale.
7. The prosthetic foot according to claim 1 , wherein the footplate is a carbon or carbon fiber composite footplate.
8. The prosthetic foot according to claim 1 , wherein the footplate is a plastic or fiber reinforced plastic footplate.
9. The prosthetic foot according to claim 1 , wherein the footplate is a molded chopped fiber footplate.