DE102017112457A1 - Orthopedic technical joint device - Google Patents

Abstract

Orthopedic technical joint device with
(a) a lower leg part,
(B) a foot part, which is arranged pivotably about a pivot axis on the lower leg part,
(C) at least a first energy storage and
(D) a coupling element, which leads in a coupling position in which a pivoting of the foot part relative to the lower leg part about the pivot axis in a plantar flexing direction to an increase in the amount of energy stored in the first energy storage, and in a Entkoppelstellung,
wherein the orthopedic articulation device comprises at least one release element, the
in a release order and
can be brought into a blocking position, wherein
the amount of energy stored in the first energy storage is releasable by the release element is brought into the release position.

Description

The invention relates to a orthopedic articulation device with a lower leg part, a foot part which is arranged pivotably about a pivot axis on the lower leg part, at least a first energy storage and a coupling element, in a coupling position in which a pivoting of the foot part relative to the lower leg part about the pivot axis leads in a Plantarflexionsrichtung to an increase in the amount of energy stored in the first energy storage, and can be brought into a Entkoppelstellung.

Orthopedic articulation devices have been known in the art for a long time. They may be designed as a prosthesis or orthosis and, for example, ankle foot orthosis (AFO), Knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFO) or hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis ( hip knee ankle foot orthosis HKAFO). In particular, the orthopedic articulation device may be a Fußheberorthese. These are particularly useful in patients with foot-leg weakness, such as those resulting from nerve diseases such as Multiple sclerosis or after a stroke can develop, used. A Fußheberschwäche is particularly characterized in that a movement of the foot in Dorsalflexionsrichtung is limited or not possible. A Fußheberorthese is therefore used in particular to counteract this impairment and, for example, to produce a physiological gait or reduce the risk of injury and stumbling a patient and so contribute to an overall quality of life.

For this purpose, it has proved to be advantageous if at least one energy store is provided, in which energy can be stored and released from it during the course of a gait cycle. The energy is used, for example, to apply a supporting force to the foot to assist the wearer in performing plantar flexion or dorsiflexion.

A plantar flexion movement is to be understood as a flexion of the foot about the ankle axis in the direction of the sole of the foot. The angle between lower leg and foot in the sagittal plane therefore increases in the course of a plantar flexion movement. A dorsiflexion movement is the movement opposite to the plantarflexion. It is therefore accompanied by a reduction in the angle between lower leg and foot in the sagittal plane.

The gait cycle of a human can generally be divided into four phases. The so-called controlled plantar flexion phase, which extends from placing the heel on the floor, the so-called "heel strike", until the foot completely rests on the ground. The largest plantar flexion in this phase, corresponding to the largest angle between the lower leg and the foot in the sagittal plane achieved in this phase, is achieved in this phase when the foot rests completely on the ground for the first time.

This is followed by the controlled dorsiflexion phase. The controlled dorsiflexion phase passes into the powered plantar flexion phase upon reaching maximum dorsiflexion, ie, reaching the smallest angle between lower leg and foot in the sagittal plane. This transition is achieved at the moment of lifting the heel off the ground. The powered plantar flexion phase in turn ends with the loss of the ground contact of the foot, the so-called "toe-off" and enters the swing phase. The swing phase ends in turn with the renewed touchdown of the heel on the ground, the "heel strike".

From the US 8,696,764 B2 , of the US 2004/0064195 A1 and the US 2013/0046218 A1 Foot orthotic devices are already known which have an energy storage device in which energy is stored at least partially during the controlled dorsiflexion phase. This energy is used to assist the powered plantar flexion. Therefore, it will be delivered at this stage.

The wearer of a Fußheberorthese needed especially in the powered plantar flexion phase and after the "toe-off" support through the orthosis, since movements of the foot are required relative to the lower leg, which must be caused by the patient with muscle power.

Orthoses are known from the prior art that store energy during plantarflexion. This energy is released during the swing phase to induce a dorsiflexion movement of the foot and to raise the toes. This reduces the risk of tripping. From the WO 2016/130150 A1 and the US 8920517 B2 the use of hydraulic energy storage is known.

A disadvantage, in particular with regard to such energy storage, that the energy to be delivered in the swing phase must be stored in the powered plantar flexing phase and therefore must be applied by muscle power or another energy storage unit. The already weak muscle of the patient must therefore In addition to the energy for the powered plantar flexion, apply the energy to be stored, which must be released during the swing phase.

It is therefore known from the prior art to provide a further energy store, which is set up to store energy during a dorsiflexion, so that it can be released during a plantar flexion movement. In such an orthosis, the second energy store is charged during the controlled dorsiflexion phase and the energy is released again during the subsequent powered plantarflexion phase. Since the first energy store is charged during the powered plantarization phase, the two energy stores work at least partially "against each other".

The problem underlying the invention is therefore to propose a more efficient orthopedic articulation device, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art described.

The invention solves this problem by a generic orthopedic joint device according to the preamble of claim 1, which is characterized in that the orthopedic articulation device has at least one release element, which can be brought into a release position and in a blocking position, wherein stored in the first energy storage Amount of energy can be released by the release element is brought into the release position.

Under a release element is in particular an element to understand, which prevents release of the stored energy in the first energy storage when it is in the locked position. According to the invention, the energy stored within the first energy store can be released in a controlled manner, in particular at any time during the gait cycle, by bringing the release element into the release position.

By means of the device according to the invention, it is possible, in particular, to store energy in the first energy store during the controlled plantarflexion phase and to release it again, for example, only after the "toe-off" at the transition between the driven plantarflexion phase and the swing phase. An intermediate unloading and charging of the energy store can thus be omitted, in whole or in part, preferably.

Unlike orthoses and prostheses from the prior art, it is therefore possible according to the invention to decouple the at least one first energy store from the movement of the foot part relative to the lower leg part without the energy contained in the first energy store at that time being released. The release of energy takes place only when the release element is brought into the release position. In particular, in the controlled plantar flexion phase, for example, the first energy store can be charged with energy. Then, the energy storage is decoupled from the movement of the foot part relative to the lower leg part by the coupling element is brought into the Entkoppelstellung. In this case, the release element is preferably in the blocking position, so that preferably no or at least only little energy is released. The energy is preferably stored during the controlled dorsiflexion and the powered plantar flexion in the first energy store and preferably released again only in the swing phase. It then preferably acts in the direction of dorsiflexion and ideally ensures that the foot is brought into the optimal position for the next controlled plantar flexion phase in which the first energy store is recharged with energy.

Preferably, the amount of energy stored in the first energy store is not influenced by a pivoting of the foot part relative to the lower leg part when the coupling element is in the decoupling position. Consequently, no energy can be released as long as the release element is not in the release position, but it can also be stored in a further Plantarflexion no additional energy in the first energy storage, as long as the coupling element is in the Entkoppelstellung. Alternatively, the amount of energy stored in the first energy store can also be further increased if the coupling element is in the coupling position and an extended plantarflexion takes place.

The orthopedic articulation device preferably has an electrical control which is set up to bring the at least one release element out of the blocking position into the release position. Preferably, the reverse direction is possible, so that can be switched several times between the two positions.

The release of energy stored in the at least one energy store can therefore be automated in particular and run, for example, as a function of time or other parameters.

The fact that the electrical control is set up to bring the at least one release element from the blocking position into the release position and vice versa is to be understood here in particular as meaning that the electrical control For example, controls at least one actuator, which then brings the release element in particular mechanically from the locked position to the release position and vice versa. For this purpose, the electrical control has at least one electronic data processing device, preferably a microprocessor, and at least one data memory. Alternatively, only one access to such a data memory can be provided.

Preferably, the orthopedic articulation device has at least one sensor, which is in particular a pressure, position, force, displacement, angle, relative angle and / or acceleration sensor and / or a sensor with which an amount of energy can be detected which in the energy storage is included. This sensor is preferably configured to detect at least one measured value and to transmit it to the electrical control.

In this way, it is in particular possible to obtain information by means of the at least one sensor as to which phase of a gait cycle the wearer of the orthopedic articulation device is located. For this purpose, the at least one sensor preferably records measured values continuously and transmits these to the electrical control. Alternatively, the at least one sensor acquires measured values only at specific time intervals and transmits them to the electrical control. The sensor preferably contains its own data processing device, which enables it, for example, to process the acquired measured values, their derivatives or integrals, for example by comparing them with stored limit values, and to transmit the measured values, their derivatives or integrals to the electrical controller only if the stored limit is exceeded or fallen below.

For example, by means of at least one pressure sensor, which is arranged, for example, on an underside of the foot part facing the floor during operation of the orthosis, preferably in the heel region, it can be detected whether the foot lifter orthotic has ground contact. In particular, it can be determined whether the foot lifter orthosis is in the swing phase of the gait cycle.

The orthopedic articulation device preferably has at least two sensors, in particular pressure sensors. These are preferably arranged in a heel region of the foot part, which lies in the applied state in the region of the heel of a wearer, and a forefoot region of the foot part, which rests in the applied state in the region of the forefoot of the wearer. This has the advantage that not only the complete contactlessness to the ground can be detected, but also different phases can be distinguished, for example, by determining how the load shifts from the heel area to the forefoot area. It may alternatively or additionally be detected when ground contact is present only in the forefoot area, such as prior to the "toe-off" in the gait cycle. Due to the advantageous use of at least two pressure sensors thus a much more detailed mapping of the gait cycle is possible.

The orthopedic articulation device preferably has at least two different sensors.

By means of at least one particularly preferred sensor, the angle and / or the angle change during pivoting of the foot part about the pivot axis, relative to the lower leg part can be determined. This makes the gait cycle easy and detailed.

Such a sensor could be formed, for example, by at least two position sensors, wherein at least one position sensor is arranged on the foot part and at least one position sensor on the lower leg part. Due to the distance between the two sensors to one another, in the case of a known position of the position sensors on the foot part and lower leg part and known pivot axis, the angle between the foot part and the lower leg part can be determined.

The transmission of the measured value can take place in particular via a data cable or via wireless transmission means, such as by radio, WLAN or Bluetooth.

Preferably, the electrical control is arranged to bring the at least one release element, depending on the at least one transmitted measured value, from the blocking position to the release position and / or vice versa. This prevents energy from being released at undesired times.

In order to assist the wearer of the orthopedic articulation device in the dorsiflexion occurring in the swing phase, it is particularly advantageous to release the energy from the at least one energy store at the beginning of the swing phase, ie in particular the time of lifting the foot off the ground ("toe"). off ").

Furthermore, for example, at the time of maximum plantar flexion in the controlled plantar flexion phase, the release element can be brought from the release position into the blocking position, so that during the controlled plantar flexion in the at least one first Energy stored energy is not fully or partially released during the dorsiflexion phase.

It is therefore advantageous if the electrical control is set up to detect a loss of ground contact of the orthopedic articulation device on the basis of the transmitted measured value and to bring the release element from the blocking position to the release position if the loss of ground contact has been detected.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the electrical control is set up to bring the coupling element from the coupling position into the decoupling position only when the release element is in the blocking position.

The increase in the amount of energy in the at least one energy store takes place in particular in the controlled plantar flexion phase. When maximum plantar flexion is reached, the maximum energy input possible at this stage is achieved. In the event that the at least one energy store is a spring element, it is advantageous when the maximum plantarflexion is reached if the energy store is decoupled from the movement of the foot part relative to the lower leg part by means of the coupling element, since the subsequent controlled dorsiflexion again would lead to a discharge of at least one energy storage. The decoupling of the spring element while the release element is in the release position, however, would in particular lead to a partial or complete release of energy by relaxation of the spring element. For this reason, it is advantageous to first bring the release element of the release position in the locked position and only when this is done to bring the coupling element of the coupling position in the Entkoppelstellung. The release element is preferably brought into the blocking position as soon as, for example, in the swing phase, the entire energy stored in the energy store has been released.

Advantageously, the orthopedic articulation device has at least one second energy store which is set up such that pivoting of the foot part relative to the lower leg part about the pivot axis in a direction of dorsal reflection leads to an increase in the amount of energy stored in the second energy store.

Such a second energy store is particularly advantageous in terms of supporting the wearer of the orthosis during the powered plantarrowing phase. Thus, in particular during the controlled dorsiflexion phase, energy can be absorbed in the at least one second energy store, which is released again, in particular in the subsequent driven plantarflexion phase.

Furthermore, this combination makes it possible, in particular, to use the energy from the at least one first and the at least one second energy store synergistically, since the "mutual work" known from the prior art is dispensed with. Thus, the energy is preferably initially released from the at least one second energy store in the driven plantarflexion phase and then, after the "toe-off", the energy is released from the at least one first energy store by bringing the release element into the release position.

Preferably, the at least one first energy store and / or the at least one second energy store is a spring element and / or a hydraulic and / or a pneumatic device.

The spring element is in particular a helical spring or a torsion spring. Furthermore, it is possible that energy is stored in such a spring element by means of a hydraulic device. Moreover, it is also possible that energy is stored by compression of a gas by means of a pump or a compressor. In addition, it is possible in particular for a plurality of different types of first and / or second energy stores to be provided in an orthopedic articulation device.

In the case of mechanical energy stores, in particular spring elements, the release element is, for example, a ratchet element or freewheel element. If a pneumatic or hydraulic energy store is used, the release element is preferably a valve, which in particular can be switched electrically or electronically. The coupling element may also be a fluid.

In a variant of the invention, coupling element is designed as a fluid-valve combination. This makes it possible to perform a dorsal extension at any arbitrary time.

If the joint device is assigned two rotational hydraulics, preferably medial and lateral, mutual energy storage and energy delivery in different directions of movement, namely plantar flexion and dorsal extension, can be performed. This allows extended dorsiflexion to be performed without affecting the plantarflexion bias.

• 1, 3, 5, 7 und 9 - schematische Darstellungen unterschiedlicher Ausführungen von orthopädietechnischen Gelenkeinrichtungen,
• 2, 4, 6, 8 und 10 - die in den jeweils vorangegangenen Figuren dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiele in unterschiedlichen Bewegungsphasen,
• 11 und 12 - schematische Darstellungen der hydraulischen/pneumatischen Systeme und
• 13 - die schematische Darstellung einer orthopädietechnischen Gelenkeinrichtung.

With the aid of the accompanying drawings, some embodiments of the present invention are explained below. Show it

• 1 . 3 . 5 . 7 and 9 schematic representations of different embodiments of orthopedic joint devices,
• 2 . 4 . 6 . 8th and 10 the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the respective preceding figures in different phases of movement,
• 11 and 12 - Schematics of the hydraulic / pneumatic systems and
• 13 - The schematic representation of a orthopedic articulation device.

1 shows the schematic representation of an orthopedic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It has a foot part 2 on a lower leg part 4 around a pivot axis 6 is pivotally mounted around. It also has a first energy storage 8th in the embodiment shown one in a cylinder 10 movably mounted pistons 12 which is characterized by a spring 14 is biased. On the piston 12 there is a pestle 16 that has a coupling element 18 with the foot part 2 connected is.

In 2 This embodiment of an orthopedic articulation device is shown in different movement phases of a step. On the top left is the situation at the heel appearance. The foot part 2 is locked against the horizontal tilt and a heel 20 gets ground contact when putting on the foot. The feather 14 is as relaxed as possible and the piston 12 is located at the bottom of the cylinder 10 , Right next to it, the situation during the rolling of the foot, so the controlled plantarflexion is shown. The foot part 2 is opposite the situation shown on the left in the plantar flexing direction about the pivot axis 6 been pivoted around. The piston 12 was in the cylinder 10 moved upwards and thereby has the spring 14 compressed and thus increases the energy content in this energy storage. In the situation shown at the top right, the foot part lies completely on the ground. It is the maximum plantarflexed position in this step. The pestle 16 has the piston 12 in the cylinder 10 moved as far as possible upwards, so that the spring 14 was heavily compressed. In this situation, a sharing item becomes 22 that is in the top left and middle left in 2 shown situations in a release position, brought from this release position in the locked position. This is in 1 shown in more detail. The release element has a pawl 24 that the piston 12 in the cylinder 10 attached in the position shown. In the subsequent controlled dorsiflexion, which in 2 bottom left, becomes the foot part 2 opposite the lower leg part 4 around the pivot axis 6 pivoted around, but it does not cause a relaxation of the spring 14 comes. The in energy storage 14 stored energy is retained as the release element 22 is in the locked position. It can also be seen that the coupling element 18 the pestle 16 from the foot part 2 has decoupled.

Through a second energy storage 26 For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown, energy can be provided for an active plantar flexing movement, which in 2 bottom center is shown. The foot part 2 is against the lower leg part 4 around the pivot axis 6 pivoted around and the coupling element 18 comes back in contact with the foot part 2 , In this case, the release element 22 the in 1 shown arrow 28 following are brought from the blocking position to the release position, so that energy from the spring 14 can be dissipated, causing the piston 12 inside the cylinder 10 is moved down. This situation is in 2 shown below right. The foot part 2 is against the lower leg part 4 around the pivot axis 6 pivoted around and raised the forefoot area.

3 shows a representation similar to the 1 , A constructive difference is the design of the release element 22 , In the cylinder 10 is located below the spring 14 a volume 30 that via a fluid line 32 in which there is a switchable valve 34 located, with a compensation reservoir 36 connected is.

4 shows the embodiment 3 in the positions according to 2 , When the heel (upper left) of the foot part 2 is the pestle 16 as far as possible from the cylinder 10 moved out so that the spring is relaxed. During subsequent rollover and controlled plantar flexion becomes the foot part 2 relative to the lower leg part 4 around the pivot axis 6 pivoted around and, as shown in the illustration above center, the plunger 16 with the piston arranged thereon 12 inside the cylinder 10 moved up. Here is the switchable valve 34 open, allowing fluid from the balancing reservoir 36 in the volume 30 can flow. This happens up to the maximum plantarflektierten position, which in 4 shown on the top right. In this state, the switchable valve 34 closed, so no more fluid from the volume 30 in the compensation reservoir 36 can flow. In the embodiment shown is simultaneously the coupling element 18 from the foot part 2 decoupled. 4 shows in the illustration below left the maximum dorsal-reflected position. The coupling element 18 is not in engagement with the foot part 2 and, as the switchable valve 34 is still closed, is also the piston 12 in the cylinder 10 has not been moved down, so the energy storage, acting as a spring 14 is trained, continues to store the energy. This happens to the middle representation of the lower row in 4 , The coupling element 18 gets back into engagement with the foot part 2 and the switchable valve 34 will be opened. This allows the spring 14 be relaxed so that the piston 12 moved down and a fluid from the volume 30 in the compensation reservoir 36 can be directed.

The switchable valve 34 can also be used as a throttle valve, so that the release of energy from the energy storage, so the spring 14 , can be steamed. Of course, this is also possible in all other embodiments in order to avoid an abrupt release of the energy.

5 shows a representation similar to the 1 and 3 , Constructive difference to the representation from 3 is only the form of energy storage. Instead of the spring 14 is a pressure accumulator 38 present in which a compressible medium is included. That is under the piston 12 located volumes 30 is again over the fluid line 32 and the switchable valve 34 with the compensation reservoir 36 connected.

6 shows the in 5 illustrated embodiment in the different phases of movement. After the heel appearance (top left) becomes the foot part 2 relative to the lower leg part 4 around the pivot axis 6 pivoted around in a plantar flexing direction. This is the plunger 16 and hence the piston 12 moved up. The volume 30 is due to fluid from the balancing reservoir 36 filled. The accumulator 38 , in which the compressible medium is located, is compressed, so that energy is stored in the form of pressure.

Subsequently, both the coupling element 18 out of engagement with the footboard 2 brought as well as the switchable valve 34 closed, so no more fluid from the volume 30 in the compensation reservoir 36 can flow. At the in 6 The dorsiflexion shown on the lower left can therefore be the pressure from the accumulator 38 not be dismantled. Only when actively controlled plantar flexion ( 6 Middle bottom) the foot part 2 again the position shown relative to the lower leg part 4 has, the coupling element 18 engaged again and the switchable valve 34 open.

7 shows a further modified embodiment. The volume 30 below the piston 12 is over the fluid line 32 and the switchable valve 34 with the compensation reservoir 36 connected. The accumulator 38 is now outside the piston 10 arranged and also via a fluid line 32 and a second switchable valve 40 with the piston 10 connected. 8th shows these embodiments in different phases of movement. The operation corresponds to the 6 explained mode of operation. By moving the piston 12 inside the cylinder 10 upwards is when the second switchable valve is open 40 a fluid from the cylinder 10 in the accumulator 38 pressed. In the bottom line of the 8th is shown as the second switchable valve 40 as well as the switchable valve 34 closed, so the piston 12 inside the cylinder 10 can not be moved. The coupling element 18 is out of engagement with the foot part 2 ,

Only when the switchable valve 34 and the second switchable valve 40 be opened like this in 8th Center bottom and bottom right is shown, the piston can 12 be moved down again.

9 shows a further embodiment of a orthopedic joint device. The cylinder 10 has two chambers, separated by the volume 30 and the volume 42 be formed. The joint device has the accumulator 38 as well as the compensation reservoir 36 , Both are each via a fluid line 32 both with the volume 30 as well as with the volume 42 connected. In each of these fluid lines 32 there is a switchable valve 34 ,

10 shows the embodiment 9 in different phases of movement. After the heel appearance (top left) becomes the foot part 2 relative to the lower leg part 4 around the pivot axis 6 pivoted around. This will cause the piston 12 in the cylinder 10 moved up. The switchable valve 34 that the volume 42 with the accumulator 38 is as open as the switchable valve 34 through which the fluid line 32 it opens the volume 30 with the compensation reservoir 36 combines. During this movement, the pressure within the accumulator becomes 38 consequently increased. In the subsequent Dorsalflexion (bottom left) are the two valves 34 that the volumes 30 . 42 with the accumulator 38 connect, closed, while the other two valves 34 through which the volumes 30 . 42 with the compensation reservoir 36 are connected, are open. In this way, the piston 12 inside the cylinder 10 be moved without the pressure within the pressure accumulator 38 changed. The valves 34 are therefore parts of the coupling element and / or the release device.

The embodiments shown except for the 9 . 10 and 12 also have the second energy storage 26 , It can be designed in different ways and is preferably arranged so that in a Dorsalflexionsbewegung increases the amount of stored energy. It can be delivered in a controlled and activated plantar flexion movement. Preferably, this energy storage is a hydraulic or a hydraulic-pneumatic system. Of course, other energy storage designs are possible.

11 shows a schematic representation of a corresponding Orthopädietechnischen hinge device. It has two pressure accumulators 38 of which the in 11 left accumulator 38 the first energy storage 8th equivalent. In each case a rotary hydraulics 44 is each of the two accumulators 38 assigned in order to store energy from the movement of the foot part relative to the lower leg part. The device has an electronic data processing device 46 , which is designed as a microprocessor. It is powered by a power supply 48 supplied with electrical energy. Via electrical lines 50 Electric energy also becomes switchable valves 34 directed.

These are via control lines 52 also with the electronic data processing device 46 connected, through which they receive control signals. The device also has a sensor 54 which may have a plurality of possibly different sensors whose measured values are used to control the device.

12 shows another embodiment. It has only one accumulator 38 as well as a compensation reservoir 36 , The two rotary hydraulics 44 are each via a fluid line 32 both with the accumulator 38 as well as with the compensation reservoir 36 connected. In each case a switchable valve 34 is present in each of these wires.

The switchable valves are via control lines 52 with the electronic data processing device 46 and via electrical lines 50 with the power supply 48 connected. This device also has the corresponding sensors.

13 shows the schematic view of a corresponding orthopedic joint device, which is designed as a knee, ankle, foot orthosis. It has a foot part 2 , the lower leg part 4 and a first energy storage 8th and a second energy storage 26 , In the area of the knee there is a joint 56 , Above it is a thigh shell 58 as well as a lower leg shell 60 for putting on the thigh or the lower leg. In the ankle area are two rotary hydraulics 44 provided, one medial and the other lateral, with the energy stores 8th . 26 are connected.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

footboard

4

Lower leg section

6

swivel axis

8th

first energy store

10

cylinder

12

piston

14

feather

16

tappet

18

coupling element

20

heel

22

release element

24

pawl

26

second energy store

28

arrow

30

volume

32

fluid line

34

switchable valve

36

balancing reservoir

38

accumulator

40

second switchable valve

42

volume

44

rotary hydraulic

46

electronic data processing device

48

power supply

50

electrical line

52

control line

54

sensors

56

joint

58

thigh shell

60

Lower leg shell

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 8696764 B2 [0007]
• US 2004/0064195 Al [0007]
• US 2013/0046218 A1 [0007]
• WO 2016/130150 Al [0009]
• US 8920517 B2 [0009]

Claims (11)

Orthopedic articulated device with (a) a lower leg part, (b) a foot part, which is arranged pivotably about a pivot axis on the lower leg part, (c) at least a first energy store and (d) a coupling element, in a coupling position in which a pivoting of the Foot part relative to the lower leg part about the pivot axis in a Plantarflexionsrichtung leads to an increase in the energy stored in the first energy storage, and can be brought into a Entkoppelstellung, characterized in that the orthopedic articulation means comprises at least one release element, in a release position and in a blocking position can be brought, wherein the energy stored in the first energy storage amount is releasable by the release element is brought into the release position. Orthopedic technical joint device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the amount of energy stored in the first energy storage is not influenced by a pivoting of the foot part relative to the lower leg part when the coupling element is in the Entkoppelstellung. Orthopedic technical joint device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the orthopedic articulation device has an electrical control which is adapted to bring the at least one release element from the blocking position to the release position and vice versa. Orthopedic technical joint device according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the orthopedic articulation device comprises at least one sensor, in particular at least one pressure, position, force or acceleration sensor which is adapted to detect at least one measured value and to transmit to the electrical control. Orthopedic technical joint device according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the electrical control is arranged to bring the at least one release element, in dependence on the at least one transmitted measured value, from the blocking position to the release position. Orthopedic technical joint device according to one of Claims 4 or 5 , characterized in that the electrical control is arranged to detect a loss of ground contact of the orthopedic articulation device based on the at least one transmitted measured value, and to bring the release element from the blocking position to the release position when the loss of ground contact has been detected. Orthopedic technical joint device according to one of Claims 3 to 6 , characterized in that the electrical control is arranged to bring the coupling element only from the coupling position in the Entkoppelstellung when the release element is in the blocking position. Orthopedic technical joint device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the orthopedic articulation device has at least one second energy store, which is set up such that pivoting of the foot part relative to the lower leg part about the pivot axis in a Dorsalflexionsrichtung to an increase in the energy stored in the second energy storage leads. Orthopedic technical joint device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first energy store and / or the at least one second energy store is a spring element and / or a hydraulic and / or a pneumatic device. Orthopedic technical joint device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling element is designed as a fluid-valve combination. Orthopedic technical joint device Claim 9 and 10 , characterized in that the hinge means are associated with two rotary hydraulics.

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