Hip joint prosthesis

1. A hip joint prosthesis comprising:

connection means for securing the hip prosthesis to an upper securing device and to an artificial leg; and

a control unit for controlling an extension movement in the hip joint and for controlling a step length of the artificial leg;

wherein the control unit includes at least one damper device for damping a flexion movement and the extension movement in the hip joint;

wherein during the flexion movement the damper device is adapted to avoid damping in a first movement stage, to apply increasing damping during a second movement stage, and to maintain constant damping from an end level of the second movement stage through a third movement stage.

2. The hip joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes a hydraulic damper.

3. The hip joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control unit employs a progressive damper characteristic curve to control the flexion movement.

4. The hip joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control unit is integrated in the hip joint.

5. The hip joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes adjustable valves for varying a damper characteristic curve to control the flexion movement.

6. The hip joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the damper device maintains constant damping during extension.

7. The hip joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an energy storage unit which stores energy in the hip joint during an extension of the artificial leg and supplies at least some stored energy to the artificial leg during a flexion of the artificial leg.

8. The hip joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the energy storage unit includes spring elements.

9. A method for controlling a hip joint prosthesis including at least one damper unit for damping a flexion movement and an extension movement of an artificial leg during a normal gait pattern with a contralateral leg, the method comprising:

extending the artificial leg;

applying damping to the extension of the artificial leg such that an extension limit is not reached when the contralateral leg is lifted;

flexing the artificial leg through a first, second and third movement stage;

avoiding damping to the flexion of the artificial leg through the first movement stage;

applying an increasing damping to the flexion of the artificial leg in the second movement stage; and

maintaining a constant damping to the flexion of the artificial leg from an end of the second movement stage through the third movement stage.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:

measuring at least one of a flexion angle of, a direction of movement of, a movement speed of and a force exerted upon the artificial leg; and

adjusting the damping of the flexion or extension based on the measurement.

11. A hip joint prosthesis comprising:

a connection device configured to secure the hip prosthesis to an upper securing device and to an artificial leg; and

a control unit including at least one damper device configured to dampen a flexion movement and the extension movement in a hip joint;

wherein during the flexion movement the damper device is adapted to avoid damping in a first movement stage, to apply increasing damping during a second movement stage, and to maintain constant damping from an end of the second movement stage through a third movement stage.

12. The hip joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the control unit includes a hydraulic damper.

13. The hip joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the control unit employs a progressive damper characteristic curve to control the flexion movement.

14. The hip joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the control unit is integrated in the hip joint.

15. The hip joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the control unit includes adjustable valves for varying a damper characteristic curve to control the flexion movement.

16. The hip joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the damper device maintains constant damping during extension.

17. The hip joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising an energy storage unit which stores energy in the hip joint during an extension of the artificial leg and supplies at least some stored energy to the artificial leg during a flexion of the artificial leg.

18. The hip joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the energy storage unit includes spring elements.