Polycentric powered ankle prosthesis

1. A powered ankle prosthesis, comprising

a shank component and a foot component;

a polycentric mechanism having a profile and a defined path for an instantaneous center of rotation, a first linkage to enable movement of the shank component with respect to the foot component, and a second linkage for providing power to the first linkage;

the first linkage comprises a driven member coupled to the shank component, a reference member coupled to the foot component, and a plurality of cranks pivotably connected to the driven member and to the reference member;

the second linkage providing power to the driven member of the first linkage, resulting in a swiveling motion between the reference member and the driven member;

the second linkage comprises a motor for generating power to operate the prosthesis, a transmission and a linear actuator, the transmission transmitting power from the motor to the linear actuator, the linear actuator imparting linear motion to the driven member, thereby causing the driven member and the plurality of cranks to move relative to the reference member;

wherein the path of the instantaneous center of rotation is defined by a trajectory substantially equal to an arc positioned over a joint of the polycentric mechanism, and wherein the instantaneous center of rotation is located outside of the profile of the polycentric mechanism and anterior of the ankle prosthesis in a stance phase of gait where the ankle angle ranges from approximately 15° and −12°.

2. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the path of the instantaneous center of rotation is further defined such that during late stance, the instantaneous center of rotation is positioned to provide a shortened moment arm in relation to a ground reaction force.

3. The prosthesis of claim 2 , wherein the reference member defines the path for the instantaneous center of rotation.

4. The prosthesis of claim 3 ,

a. wherein the reference member comprises a base element connected to a foot component, the plurality of cranks comprising a first crank and a second crank, the first crank pivotally coupled to the reference member, and the second crank pivotally coupled to the reference member;

b. wherein the first crank and the second crank each are pivotally coupled to a bottom portion of the driven member; and

c. wherein the first crank and the second crank are aligned to define the path for the instantaneous center of rotation.

5. The prosthesis of claim 4 , wherein a top portion of the driven member is angled for attachment to the shank component.

6. The prosthesis of claim 2 , the linear actuator exerts a required amount of torque for flexion-extension movement of the prosthesis.

7. The prosthesis of claim 6 , wherein the linear actuator is at least partially housed within an opening of the polycentric mechanism.

8. The prosthesis of claim 7 , wherein the linear actuator is configured to adjust the distance between a hinge of the reference member and a hinge of the driven member.

9. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the polycentric mechanism fits within the contour of an anatomical foot profile.

10. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the second linkage is at least partially housed within an opening of the driven member and pivotably mounted to the reference member.

11. A powered ankle prosthesis, comprising:

a polycentric mechanism having a defined path for an instantaneous center of rotation; wherein the path of the instantaneous center of rotation is defined by a trajectory substantially equal to an arc positioned over a joint of the polycentric mechanism; and

an actuator for moving the polycentric mechanism, the actuator comprising a motor, a transmission, and a screw, wherein the actuator is at least partially housed within an opening of the polycentric mechanism and configured to adjust the distance between a hinge of a first member and a hinge of a second member.

12. The prosthesis of claim 11 , wherein the screw is a lead-screw.

13. The prosthesis of claim 11 , wherein the screw is a ball-screw.

14. The prosthesis of claim 11 , wherein the screw is a roller-screw.

15. A powered ankle prosthesis, comprising

a shank component and a foot component;

a polycentric mechanism having a profile and a defined path for an instantaneous center of rotation; a first linkage to enable movement of the shank component with respect to the foot component, and a second linkage for providing power to the first linkage;

the first linkage comprises a driven member coupled to the shank component, a reference member coupled to the foot component, and a plurality of cranks pivotably connected to the driven member and to the reference member;

the second linkage providing power to the driven member of the first linkage, resulting in a swiveling motion between the reference member and the driven member;

the second linkage comprises a motor for generating power to operate the prosthesis, a transmission and a linear actuator, the transmission transmitting power from the motor to the linear actuator, the linear actuator imparting linear motion to the driven member, thereby causing the driven member and the plurality of cranks to move relative to the reference member;

the linear actuator operatively coupled to the polycentric mechanism for exerting torque required for flexion-extension movement of the ankle prosthesis;

wherein the path of the instantaneous center of rotation is defined by a trajectory substantially equal to an arc positioned over a joint of the polycentric mechanism, and wherein the instantaneous center of rotation is located outside of the profile of the polycentric mechanism and anterior of the ankle prosthesis when the ankle prosthesis is in a neutral position associated with standing.