DE3028608A1 - Hydraulically controlled artificial leg - has ram behind single axis knee joint with annular chamber containing valves - Google Patents

Abstract

The artificial leg has hydraulic control for when moving and standing. It is used after a thigh amputation, and has a ram between the thigh and shin portions. It also has a pivoting foot, the load on the heel controlling the ram. The double-acting ram is mounted behind the single-axis knee-joint, its cylinder being eccentrically accommodated in an outer one so as to leave an annular chamber containing two externally-adjustable throttle valves for the swing movement, an externally-adjustable throttle valve for use when standing and which can be shut off allowing knee bending while supporting a load, and two non-return valves stopping the flow from cylinder to annular chamber. At the bottom attachment point of the ram there is an externally-controlled standing stop valve halting the bending movement. The upper part of the joint has a divided knee spindle and a quickly detachable rotary adjustable adapter with a tapering boss clamped by three screws.

Description

Artificial leg with hydraulic pendulum and stance phase control

T * r thigh abdominal muscles as well as knee and hip joint exar.

t ikulati onen ble invention relates to a hydraulic leg Pendulum and stance phase control. A complete prosthesis with a femoral shaft or hip joint supplemented with hip cage allows one on the thigh as well as in the Hiift or knee joint amputated people a safe and with favorable residual limb conditions walking that appears largely physiological.

?; drend of the entire gait cycle of the xunstbeins regulates a zwianhen Upper and lower part of the knee joint articulated hydraulic cylinder ciie through the Stump or hip muscles produce movement of the lower leg around the knee joint. The hydraulic cylinder controls the pendulum phase, where the lower leg and foot move freely the knee joint swings and secures the stance phase in which the artificial leg carries the body weight wearing. the hydraulic pendulum and stance phase control can control the sequence of the Only influence movement by ozw the required delay. blocking This group is created by hydraulic throttles and shut-off devices the hydraulic controls as passive because they do not require any external energy.

Passive hydraulic pendulum and stance phase controls for thigh prostheses are known in orthopedic technology and have been in use for a long time4 there are combined systems that both control the pendulum phase movement as well also take over the stance phase protection. 2,3,4,5 Only these systems can be used for the the following citation can be used.

A disadvantage of previously used artificial legs with hydraulic Pendulum and stance phase control consists in the fact that they are not independent of constitution and amputation height of the disabled person can be used. Leave after the constitution insecure disabled persons (especially those with old age amputations and in the Rehabilitation after amputations ) and active walkers differentiate according to the amputation height hip disarticulation, short thigh stump, medium stump long thigh stump and knee disarticulation So far, there has been no knee joint construction even with purely mechanical artificial legs known, the same for all listed amputation levels as well as a good one and bad constitution of the handicapped is suitable. The multitude of so far Known knee joint designs that are in use are evidence of this Impressive fact.

This is particularly due to the fact that it has not yet succeeded in the Requirements for the prosthesis design presented below at the same time to be realized in a design.

Insecure disabled people need reliable knee joint protection during the entire loading phase of the prosthesis, this securing in the The least stress on the prosthesis must use Bending of the knee joint in the The pendulum phase of the prosthesis as well as when sitting down do not require the use of locking mechanisms be possible A locked joint, each willkj: rich by hand. Sit down unlocking @ and locking after getting up does not promote rehabilitation of the amputee, since walking with a stiff prosthesis and the act of sitting down (Unlocking) and standing up (locking) not according to involuntary movement patterns The new movement patterns are hardly learned and the prosthesis is used as a an obstructive foreign body felt and rejected Even with active walkers, a Support of knee protection with heel loading can be useful to avoid an uneconomical Prevent walking performance; The knee brace must be released in good time in the step reserve.

You have the option of a weight-supporting flexion of the knee joint when sitting down and alternately going down stairs increases for them Group of disabled people the practical value of the prosthesis gains in active walkers A harmonious gait pattern at different walking speeds is of particular importance. This is achieved by adding the required section modulus through hydraulic damping in the knee joint automatically of the respective Adjusted walking speed A hydraulically generated progressive damping is of particular importance here the stretching movement of the lower leg, around the intermittent edging of the thigh shaft at the end of the pendulum phase of the prosthesis.

Prostheses for hip disarticulations require an appropriate one Rotary joint securing means that the mass moment of inertia of the lower leg is as small as possible. Similar requirements have to be met for thigh prostheses for short stumps.

Not every guarantee for disabled people with a long thigh stump Knee joint construction the required short height above the joint, prostheses For knee disarticulations, the prior art requires special designs. The requirement must be met that the part of the thigh belonging to the Joint has a minimum height in all operating positions, on an angle adjustability above the artificial joint in the sagittal and prontal planes of the body in the previous designs for knee disarticulations because of the low overall height can be dispensed with over the joint.

Today, the standard of modern prosthesis care is independent Adjustability of the foot, knee joint and shaft assemblies that can be carried out from one another in the three spatial levels of the human body for optimal coordination of the statics an artificial leg to the individual circumstances of an above-knee amputee o This angular adjustability of the three assemblies is based on the principle of the horizontal Shift "is known in orthopedic technology and is used in both wood and used in tubular skeletal prostheses. With wooden prostheses, this is done by sliding of the foot with ankle wood, knee-calf fitting part and shaft on the respective joining surfaces.

With tubular skeleton prostheses, this principle is replaced by quick-release Angle adjustment units above and below the knee joint and above the foot realized. There are two angle adjustment units for horizontal displacement necessary. An angle adjustment unit must always be present below the knee joint to be able to adjust the prosthesis statics in the frontal plane of the body one to guarantee a horizontal position of the knee joint axis.

In the thigh prostheses with hydraulic Pendulum and stance phase control prevents the installation height from attaching an adjustable one Angle adjustment unit below the knee joint This is why knee joints are with hydraulic pendulum and stance phase control not yet available as an interchangeable one Module for existing tubular skeletal prostheses with quickly separable angle adjustment units Another reason for the limited use is that the previously used principle of hydraulic stance phase control is a horizontal shift the prosthesis components hindered It is a hydraulic stance phase control known, which secures the knee joint without a control linkage extending from the foot. However, Kiese hydraulics only allow the principle of horizontal displacement with wooden prostheses.

In tubular skeletal prostheses, the height or size of the hydraulic cylinder is a hindrance the effectiveness of an angle adjustability below the knee joint0 in a further hydraulic stance phase control in use also prevents the arrangement of a control linkage extending from the foot is suitable for both conventional use Wooden prostheses also for tubular skeleton prostheses with angle adjustment units2.? 3) The hydraulic pendulum and stance phase control that does not require a foot Control linkage works4, 'controls the stance phase by walking in artificial Streek and flexion moments occurring in the knee joint and its gangue cycle-dependent Time course It depends on the release of the knee brace to release the Lower leg for the pendulum phase depends on two factors: The occurrence of an overstretching moment in the knee joint and that this hyperextension moment is effective for a sufficient period of time. This effective time for canceling the knee protection is only available during normal Bale unwinding available while walking. Is on level and firm ground thus ensuring safe walking. However, if the prosthesis wearer walks on soft Ground or only stresses the heel due to an unevenness in the floor when rolling, so there is no corresponding overstretching of the Knee joint The forefoot lever Lie stance phase lock is not canceled The prosthesis wearer remains on the ground with the prosthesis blocked while trying to swing through hang and threaten to fall The same thing happens when going down slopes Problem on Why is active residual limb control when walking with this hydraulic system required To switch off the stance phase safety device on unsafe terrain, you must the prosthesis wearer push his residual limb backwards before he starts the pendulum phase with bending the knee initiates such a spontaneous tensing of the residual limb muscles overstretching the knee joint can become an uneconomical as long-term stress Perform walking and is not for amputees of any constitution and amputation level reasonable With the previously performed thigh prostheses with hydraulic pendulum and stance phase control, the hydraulic cylinder has a relatively large mass and overall height or size. @, @, 4 This leads to a corresponding increase in the Mass of the lower leg For accelerated and decelerated movement of the lower leg In the pendulum phase, a correspondingly larger mass moment of inertia has to be overcome. Because the distance and time when swinging the lower leg of the prosthesis in the pendulum phase Have to adjust to the healthy leg, must with a larger mass of the lower leg the moment of resistance in the knee joint and thus the damping force in the hydraulic cylinder The wearer of the prosthesis must increase this force through appropriate muscle work Expend amputation stump and fte. The hydraulic damping will be a big one Part of the kinetic energy up to the maximum flexion of the lower leg in warmth converted. The one lost through damping when the knee is flexed Kinetic energy must be used in the subsequent stretching through increased muscle work be compensated. Increasing the mass of the lower leg thus requires increasing it the muscle work for bending and stretching the knee joint when swinging through. Particularly insecure amputees and those with short thigh amputations and hip disarticulations will have difficulty in generating the required section modulus in the knee joint.

As a result of the height of hydraulic cylinders that have been executed so far, the The center of gravity of the lower leg can be shifted towards the foot Way, the lever arm is effectively extended in the center of gravity of the lower leg The increasing inertia and weight of Ibie has a further increase in the The moment of resistance required in the knee joint and thus a further increase the muscle work involved in walking. this additional disadvantage makes it special with a hydraulic pendulum and stance phase control in use Noticeable: for structural reasons, the position of the hydraulic unit to the foot is independent here from the knee-floor measurement of the prosthesis. If the knee-floor measurement is large, the Center of mass in the direction of the foot and increased by the extension of the effective Lever arm the required moment of resistance in the knee joint The inventor has set the task of overcoming the disadvantages listed above and a Constructed artificial leg, regardless of the constitution and amputation level of the disabled person can be used, the spectrum of possible cases of supply includes according to the constitution of the disabled both insecure disabled and active walkers, according to the amputation level both short, medium and long thigh stumps as well as hip and knee disarticulations as well as bilateral amputees From this task it follows for the constructive Execution of the invention that the size and mass of the hydraulic control are considerable must be less than with previous solutions that the entire pendulum phase of the Prosthesis, doho h0 both flexion and extension of the knee joint hydraulically must be damped, with a progressively increasing end position damping also should be done hydraulically that the entire stance phase of the prosthesis is reliable must be secured, the hydraulic fuse already at the slightest Heel loading sets in and releasing the knee joint to flex without voluntary The disabled person is checked automatically, regardless of the ground conditions he follows, that the act of sitting down the disabled person does not go through Arbitrary locking mechanisms to be switched by hand are hindered from getting up of the disabled person is not hindered by a specially adjusted facility the active walker a weight-supporting flexion of his prosthesis when sitting down as well as when going down stairs and slopes alternately, that the part of the knee joint belonging to the thigh in all operational positions, especially in the bent position of the prosthesis Deir, sitting, eii. Minimum height so that long stumps and knee disarticulations can be treated, despite the short overall height of the part of the knee joint belonging to the thigh both an angular adjustability above the artificial joint in the frontal and sagittal plane of the body as well as torsional adjustability is to be enabled, that the artificial leg with hydraulic pendulum and stance phase control cable in modular design for tubular skeletal prostheses with quick-release angle adjustment units for use comes, with the height of the hydraulic cylinder also below the knee joint Angle adjustment for placing the knee joint axis horizontally in the frontal plane of the body and the principle of stance phase control is not one Change of position of the construction sections of the prosthesis when adjusting the individual Prosthetic statics may hinder that operational safety and ease of maintenance the main leg, in particular the hydraulic cylinder, guaranteed to a particular extent must be that the technical effort for the hydraulic pendulum phase control must be so small that this facility for the group of prosthesis wearers with unfavorable residual limb conditions and poor overall constitution, none of them Overall construction is an additional device in question.

The inventor has achieved the object described in detail above and an artificial leg with hydraulic pendulum and stance phase control for thigh amputations as well as knee and hip joint disarticulations characterized according to the invention is angled by a uniaxial knee joint with one behind the knee pivot point double-acting hydraulic cylinder with only one piston and one working cylinder at the same time the flexion and extension movement of the lower leg in the pendulum phase and controls the stance phase of the prosthesis and takes over the function of the knee joint stop, whereby the diameter, overall height and mass of the hydraulic cylinder are kept to a minimum have that a working cylinder eccentrically from an outer cylinder with a Ring volume is enclosed, which in the eccentric extension two of externally adjustable pendulum phase throttle valves for both directions of movement of the Piston, an externally adjustable and closable stance phase throttle valve for weight-supporting flexion of the knee joint and two non-return valves contains, each above and below the piston the passage from the working cylinder to lock the rino volume, by a centric between the lower linkage of the Hydraulic cylinder arranged stance phase lock valve, which is controlled from the outside the direction of movement of the piston "bending" can be blocked by the lurnhlaß to the lower adjustable throttle bore for the pendulum phase and for the ring volume, by a joint upper part with a split knee joint axis, a rotatable axis as a linkage for the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder and a quick-release one unQ rotatable adjustment adapter with a shaft connection designed according to the amputation height known design, whereby the animal adapter is integrated into the upper part of the joint, that a hole for receiving a conical extension of the adjustment adapter as well three clamping screws are part of the joint's upper part and thus the joint's upper part with the shaft connection installed has a minimum overall height, by means of a fork-shaped Joint lower part, the one at the lower end the lower linkage of the hydraulic cylinder as well as a string-separable angle adjustment unit of known design and at the fork ends contains the bearing bushes of the niegelenkachze and by eliminating a front knee joint stop Takeover by the hydraulic cylinder hinged at the rear) in the area of the fork ends can be so narrow that the width of the fork ends when the joint is flexed The height of the joint's upper part corresponds, with the lateral contour of the fork with such a Ündung is provided that a flexion angle between the upper and lower part of the knee joint of 12. ° becomes possible and when bending one in front of the lower part of the joint the hollowed-out cosmetic foam lining fits tightly to the lower part of the joint, Which in conjunction with the low overall height of the upper and lower part of the joint too A supply of I; riieexar ticulations inoculation is made possible by an artificial Fiiss with an ankle joint, the type of which is known with an angle adjustment unit and a joint upper part connected to a lower leg tube a small relative movement allowed to a lower joint part firmly connected to a foot molding, with on the upper joint surface of the joint lower part firmly connected to the molded foot part a valve lifter bar rests on it and when the heel is loaded on the artificial foot in front of the ankle joint with the upper part of the joint and the molded foot part via a tie rod connected plantar buffer element at the same time the plantar movement of the ankle joint dampens and acts as a pivot point of a one-armed lever in relation to the molded foot part, so that with the slightest stress on the heel the upper bearing surfaces of the ankle joint are pressed together, give the valve lifter rod a lifting movement and this Undo the nub movement as soon as a dorsal buffer element puts pressure on the foot and the knee joint protection takes over, so that the knee joint in the step back position can be flexed in time, by pulling the prosthetic foot towards it use is possible without using locking mechanisms and by slightly positioning the heel of the artificial foot in normal position the relative extension of the prosthesis at Bending in the step back can be kept to a minimum by an in between the artificial foot and the artificial knee joint in the lower leg tube arranged three-part valve lifter rod with spherical transfer surfaces at the dividing points, with the centers of the transfer areas with the centers of rotation of the angle adjustment units and the last upper surface with cover the center of rotation of the hydraulic cylinder, so that angle changes when @justify the artificial foot and the artificial @knee joint and change the angle of the hydraulic cylinder when bending the artificial knee joint is not the minimum position the valve lifter rod as well as an unhindered assembly of the knee joint and allow feet.

The invention is explained in detail with reference to the drawings, in which two embodiments of the invention for two known tubular skeleton prosthesis systems are shown with angle adjustment units as well as an application example of each Invention for the treatment of knee disarticulations, long thigh stumps and short thigh stumps. Fig 1 shows the new prosthesis for restoration a knee disarticulation, shown in the sagittal plane of the body with section through the cosmetic foam cladding, with the lower and upper leg part in fully extended position to each other are shown, Fig.2 the supply example of Fig. 1, shown in the frontal plane of the body with a section through the cosmetic Foam lining, Fig. 3 the supply example of Fig. 1, shown in the sagittal plane of the body with a section through the cosmetic foam lining, the upper and lower leg parts are bent at a sufficient angle to one another, Fig. 4 the Supply example of Fig.1, shown in the sagittal plane of the body with Section through the cosmetic foam cladding, showing the lower and upper leg sections are bent at an acute angle to each other, as is the case, for example, when kneeling is, Fig.5 5 the new prosthesis for the supply of a long thigh stump, shown in the sagittal plane of the body with a section through the cosmetic foam lining, with the lower and upper leg parts in a fully stretched position to each other, Fig06 shows the supply example of Fig0 5, shown in the sagittal plane of the body with a section through the cosmetic foam cladding, with the lower and upper leg part are bent at right angles to each other, Fig.7 the new prosthesis for the supply of a short thigh stump, shown in the sagittal plane of the body with section through the cosmetic foam cladding, with the lower and upper leg part are in the fully extended position to each other, Fig. 8 the knee joint, shown in the sagittal plane of the body, with partial section through the stance phase lock valve, FIG. 9 the knee joint of FIG. 8 viewed from the front, with a partial section through the lower one Linkage of the hydraulic cylinder, FIG. 10 a center section through the upper part of the knee joint, shown in the sagittal plane of the body, FIG. 11 a section through the upper part of the knee joint, shown in the horizontal plane of the body, namely running through the knee axis bearing and the upper linkage of the hydraulic cylinder, Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section A-B-D through the hydraulic cylinder, so that the two Pendulum phase throttle valves lie in the plane of section, FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal section A-B-E through the hydraulic cylinder so that the two check valves are in the cutting plane 14 shows a longitudinal section A-B-C through the hydraulic cylinder, so that the Stance phase throttle valve lies in the sectional plane, Fig. 15 shows a longitudinal section H-K through the hydraulic cylinder, so that the lower linkage of the hydraulic cylinder lies in the cutting plane, 16 shows a cross-section F-G of the hydraulic cylinder, so that the position of the sections in Fig. 12, 13 and 14 becomes clear, Fig. 17 shows an in middle section of the new prosthesis through the foot, lying in the sagittal plane of the body, Lower leg tube and lower part of the knee joint, using known, quick-release angle adjustment adapter9 Fig. 18 one in the sagittal plane of the body lying middle section of the new prosthesis through the foot, lower leg tube and lower part of the knee joint, using a known molded foot part with a metal base plate as well as known angle adjustment units in a closed design, FIG. 19 a center section through the ankle joint of the artificial foot in the frontal plane of the body.

the thigh 1 of the artificial leg (see. Fig. 1 to 7) is through a Knee axis 2 rotatably connected to the lower leg 3, so that this opposite the thigh can be swiveled in the angular range of approx. 1200 The thigh exists in the treatment of long thigh stumps and knee disarticulations (see. Fig. 1 to 6) from the thigh shaft 4, the quick-release angle adjustment adapter 5 with the Sehaftansehluß 5a and the joint upper part 6, in the supply of short Stumps and hip disarticulations (cf.

Fig. 7) from the quick-release angle adjustment adapter 5 with pipe connection 5b and the upper part of the joint 6. When treating short thigh stumps a thigh shaft 4a (FIG. 7) by means of an angle adjustment unit 7 is known Type with shaft connection and a pipe section 8 with the tube connection 5b of the angle adjustment adapter 5 connected.

Ler Winkeljustieradapter 5 has a spherical support surface 5c and a conical extension 5d (Fig. 10). The spherical contact surface of the Winkeljustieradapters is of a spherical counter surface 6a and its conical Approach received through a bore 6b of the upper joint part 6 (Fig. 10, 11). To the Clamping and swiveling the conical extension of the adjustment adapter contains the Joint upper part three clamping screws 9 (Fig. 10, 11). The three turnbuckles are arranged so that their axes point to the center of the bore 6b and down.licht are inclined In the front end, the Crelenk upper part contains a split knee axis 2, so that the free cross section of the bore 6b is not impaired. The shared one The knee axis contains a collar 2a on each side to secure and limit the position of the axial play (Fig. 11) 0 Each half of the knee axis is through a stud screw 1o secured against twisting and loosening with the tip of the joint in the upper part of the joint (fig.

11). The lower joint part 11 can be rotated by means of two bearing bushes 12 mounted on the split knee axis (Fig. 11) 0 between the joint upper part 6 and a hydraulic cylinder 13 is articulated to the lower joint part 11 (see FIGS. 1 to 9).

The piston rod 14 of the hydraulic cylinder is behind the knee axis 2 screwed in the joint upper part 6 with a rotatable axis 15 (Fig0 10, 11) and supported by two bearing bushes 16 in the upper part of the joint (Fig. 11). To secure the The rotatable shaft 15 contains a screwed-in piston rod against loosely Locking screw 17 (Fig. 11) 0 by unscrewing a tensioning screw 9 in the joint's upper part (Fig0 10, 11) the thigh connected to the shaft attachment and Winkeljustiejradapter 5 can separated from the knee joint. The thigh should be opposite the lower leg are rotated, 'this is also done by loosening a clamping screw 9o When adjusting the angle of the thigh, bring it over the lower leg the clamping screws 9 the angle adjustment adapter 5 in a corresponding position, by pivoting the conical extension 5d accordingly, so that the spherical Support surface 5c of the Winkeljustieradapters on the spherical counter surface 6a of the upper joint part 6 moves (Fig. Io).

If a clamping tube 9 is firmly tightened, all three clamping screws generate a downward force component on the conical extension 5d and press the spherical bearing surface 5c of the Winkeljustieradapter on the spherical Counter surface 6a of the joint upper part.

The principle of such an angle adjustment is in orthopedic technology known. There are angle adjustment units in an open, quick-release design four turnbuckles and those in closed, inseparable Construction with three clamping screws. It is considered new and inventive that the Angle adjustment adapter for the purpose of minimizing the overall height of the thigh firmly connected joint upper part is integrated into this, wherein the joint upper part at the same time the split knee axis 2 and the upper linkage of the hydraulic cylinder Contains0 In order to be able to be quickly separated as well as an angle and Lrehjustierbarkeit To enable, the features of known adjustment adapters had to be "open, quickly separable Construction "and" three-point clamping by three tensioning screws "in one construction are united, the lower joint part 11 is fork-shaped and contains the fork ends 11a support the split knee joint axis (cf. Fig0 8, 9, 11) The fact that the hydraulic cylinder articulated behind the knee axis on the upper part 6 of the joint 13 takes over the function of the knee joint stop, according to the invention that can The lower part of the joint should be so narrow in the region of the fork ends 11a that when the joint is bent Joint the width of the fork ends corresponds to the overall height of the joint upper part (Fig. 3,4,6). According to the invention is the lateral contour 11b of the fork with such a Rounding provided (Fig.8) that a flexion angle between the upper and lower part of the knee joint 1200 is possible (Fig. 4).

In the lower end of the fork-shaped lower joint part is the lower one The end of the hydraulic cylinder 13 can be rotated in the bearing bushes 19 by means of two Aehsbolzen 18 stored (Fig. 9). The axle bolts are each with their threaded end in two threaded sockets 20 of the hydraulic cylinder is screwed in (Fig. 9,15).

If the knee joint of the artificial leg is bent, the piston rod moves 14 of the hydraulic cylinder and a Vorbringerfeder 21 is compressed (see. Fig. 3, 4, 6) and stores part of the kinetic energy used for bending. At a flexion angle of more than 900, as is the case, for example, when kneeling is, the hydraulic cylinder 13 is according to the invention completely in the lower joint part 11 pivoted so that only the lateral contour 11b of the fork has the maximum flexion angle limited (Fig. 4).

The weight-bearing elements of the lower leg 3 are the lower joint part 11, one with the lower end of the lower joint part connected Angle adjustment unit 22 of known design with a clamp lock, a lower leg tube 23, an angle adjustment unit located at the lower end of the lower leg tube 24 of known design, one connected to the angle adjustment unit 24 and movable Ankle joint 25 and a molded foot part 26 ivl, Fig to 7) ¢ The natural shape of the Artificial leg is created by a cosmetic foam lining 27 gravel lies on a flat support surface 26a of the molded foot part 26, encloses the lower leg tube 23 with the angle adjustment units 24 and 22 and the lower joint part 11, the upper joint part 6 and the lower end of the thigh shaft 4 or 4a (see. Fig. 1 to 7). According to the invention has the cosmetic foam lining 27 in the treatment of knee disarticulations in front of the joint upper part 6 and the joint lower part 11 a cavity 27a (FIG. 1), so that the foam located in front of the knee axis has a small wall thickness If the knee joint is flexed, the cavity 27a and the front one disappear Foam layer fits tightly as a result of the tensile stress generated when bending the joint upper part 6 and the joint lower part 11. According to the invention, this results from this in cooperation with the low overall height of the joint upper part and the low Overall width of the joint lower part that in the supply of knee disarticulation stumps a cosmetically unsatisfactory one, which is particularly evident when sitting Lengthening of the thigh is avoided Behind the knee joint preserves the cosmetic Foam lining a cavity 27b (Fig. 1, 5, 7), around the compressed when bending Take up foam (Fig. 3, 4). Fig.2 should make it clear that also in the frontal plane of the body there are no problems with the cosmetic facing. According to the invention, this is achieved in the upper lower leg area due to the small diameter of the hydraulic cylinder 13 and the correspondingly small overall width of the lower joint part 11 enables. The ankle joint 25 is so narrow in the frontal plane (FIG. 2), that even with small foot sizes and small circumferences in the area of the ankle joint no tosmetic problems arise.

When treating long thigh stumps (Fig. 5) and short ones The knee axis can contain thigh stumps (Fig. 7) and hip disarticulation stumps 2 brought to the natural knee-floor level of the prosthesis wearer. To get in in these cases a natural form of the flexed knee joint as well as a natural one To achieve length of the thigh is located in front of the joint upper part 6 and the lower joint part 11 an elastic compensation piece 28 (Fig0 5, 6, 7), which bend elastically when bending the knee joint, but only compress it insignificantly leaves (Fig. 6). In this way the bent knee joint is given a natural profile and the thigh a normal length.

The one behind the knee axis between the upper and lower part of the knee joint hinged hydraulic cylinder 13 contains at the lower end of its piston rod 14 a Piston 29. This can be displaced in a working cylinder 3o (see FIG.

12 to 15). The working cylinder is eccentric from an outer cylinder 31 and enclosed by an upper housing part 32 and a lower housing part 33 limited0 If the knee joint is in a stretched position, the upper one touches Annular surface of the piston 29, the lower end face of the upper housing part 32, see above that a knee joint stop occurs. Between the working cylinder 30 and the outer cylinder 31 there is an eccentric ring volume 34 (FIG. 16, see also FIGS. 12 to 15). This is also done by the lower and upper housing part of the hydraulic cylinder limited (see Fig. 12 to 15) o it is the outer cylinder of the upper housing part 32 eccentric to a receiving bore for the upper end of the working cylinder 30 and a through hole for the piston rod 14 to pass through (Fig. 12, 13, 14) In the eccentric widening the upper housing part contains a Pendulum phase throttle valve 35 for the stretching movement (Fig0 12), the upper part of a Stance phase throttle valve 36a (Fig0 14) and a check valve 37 (Fig0 13) 0 The check valve has passage from a tube 38 via a lateral bore 39 in the upper housing part to the upper end of the working cylinder. According to the invention ends the tube 38 just above the bottom of the eccentric Ring volume 34. The fluid passage of the pendulum phase throttle valve located in the upper housing part 32 35 (Fig.

12) to the eccentric ring volume 34 takes place according to the invention via a throttle bore 53 and above located in the upper end of the working cylinder a tube 52, which ends just before the bottom of the eccentric ring volume (Fig, 12).

The throttle bore 53 (Fig0 12) is according to the invention so in the working cylinder arranged that the upper edge of the piston 29 it in the extended position of the knee joint approximately covers, so that the hydraulic cylinder when stretching the knee joint a Progressively increasing damping force is generated, the size of which increases with walking speed increases.

Both the tube of the check valve and the tube going of the pendulum phase throttle valve cause the working cylinder to operate even if there is a loss of fluid is constantly filled and can vent independently by pumping several times.

The eccentric ring volume 34 is not completely filled with hydraulic fluid filled, so that the amount of liquid displaced by the retracting piston rod 14 can be included. According to the invention is the volume of the eccentric ring volume so large in relation to the working cylinder volume that only air enters the working cylinder can occur when the fluid loss of the system is a multiple of the working cylinder volume and the liquid level in the eccentric ring volume is below the level the tube in the eccentric enlargement has sunk (cf. Figures 12, 13, 15).

The through hole for the piston rod 14 to pass through the Upper housing part 32 contains an annular volume in front of the outer piston rod seal 48 49 (Figures 12 to 15).

According to the invention, this is over with the eccentric ring volume 34 a bore 50 and a tube led to the bottom of the eccentric annular volume 51 connected (Fig. 15) In this way, a pressure relief of the outer Piston rod seal 48 with simultaneous lubrication through the one on the inner part the through-hole for the passage of the piston rod to the ring volume exiting Amount of hydraulic fluid, whereby this leakage fluid is not lost, but via the bore 50 and the tube 51 into the Syatem returned becomes (Fig. 15). The tube 51 led to the bottom of the eccentric ring volume prevents that when there is negative pressure in the working cylinder above the piston 29 from the ring volume 49 a small amount of air is sucked in, the outer cylinder of the lower housing part 33 of the hydraulic cylinder is eccentric to an auxiliary hole for the lower one End of the working cylinder 30 and to a threaded hole for a stance phase lock valve 40 arranged (Fig.

12, 13, 14) In its eccentric widening, the lower one contains Housing part 33, the lower part of the stance phase throttle valve 36b (Fig0 14), a Pendulum phase throttle valve 41 for the flexion movement (Fig0 12) and a check valve 42 (Figure 13). The check valve has passage from a socket 43 in the bottom of the eccentric ring volume 34 via a lateral bore 44 in the lower housing part to the lower end of the working cylinder (Fig. 13). Located centrically to the working cylinder The stance phase lock valve is located in a threaded hole in the lower housing part 40 (Fig0 12 to 15) perpendicular to the working cylinder axis and symmetrical to the stance phase shut-off valve arranged contains the lower housing part two ends as a blind hole threaded sockets 20 for the lower linkage of the hydraulic cylinder (Fig. 15).

The stand phase lock valve 40 (Fig0 12 to 15) consists of a cylindrical Shaft, a frustoconical valve sealing surface located at the upper end and a spherical transfer surface 40a located at the lower end enlarged diameter The stance phase lock valve 40 is in a screw connection 46 mounted displaceably with a through hole. The screw connection contains on the outer circumference a thread for screwing in the lower housing part 33 and in the through hole a seal 45 of the stance phase blocking valve 40 to the outside for the valve stem. The lifting movement of the stance phase lock valve for opening is controlled by a locking ring 47 limited0 If the stance phase shut-off valve is in the open position, so hydraulic fluid can flow from the working cylinder volume below the piston 29 a lateral bore 59 flow (Fig. 12), from there into one of the frustoconical Sealing surface of the stance phase lock valve released bore 60 and of here into the lateral bore 56 of the Pendelphasendrosselven valve 41. The bore 60 above the frustoconical light surface of the stance phase lock valve has according to the invention a smaller diameter than the cylindrical stem of the stance phase lock valve (Fig0 12) 0 In this way, there is always a small force component that affects the shaft of the stance phase lock valve pushes outwards when in the working cylinder space below the piston 29 creates an overpressure. Becomes the spherical transmission surface 40a of the stance phase shut-off valve is not affected by external actuators (Fig. 12), so the overpressure below the piston 29 pushes the stance phase shut-off valve in open position, the pendulum phase throttle valve 41 for the flexion movement is through a valve stem 54 (Fig0 12) with the pendulum phase throttle valve 35 for the stretching movement tied together. At the upper end of the pendulum phase throttle valve 35 is one of externally accessible adjusting screw 55 (Fig. 12). By turning the adjusting screw 55 both pendulum phase throttle valves can be set at the same time. Both pendulum phase throttle valves work on the principle of piston edge throttling, but can also be used as Design ring diaphragm. When screwing in the adjusting screw 55, the piston edges shrink of the pendulum phase throttle valves 41 and 35 the free cross section of the throttle bores 56 and 53 (Fig0 12). The through let the throttle bore 56 from the working cylinder volume below the piston 29 to the eccentric ring volume 34 can through the stance phase shut-off valve 40 are closed (Fig0 12, see also Fig. 17 and 18) o The passage of the hydraulic fluid from the fender phase throttle valve 41 to the eccentric ring volume 34 is through two lateral channels 57 guaranteed (Fig. 16) 0 when the hydraulic fluid is heated and the associated change in viscosity, the valve stem 54 expands and reduces the passage of the shuttle phase throttle valve 41, so that the flexion resistance of the joint in the pendulum phase based on a walking speed even at different speeds Operating temperatures of the hydraulic cylinder can be kept constant. That means for the prosthesis wearer that the hydraulic yendel phase control his Artificial leg always has the required section modulus regardless of the operating temperature generated in the knee joint, the design of the upper housing part 32 and described of the lower housing part 33 also allows the pendulum phase throttle valves for to provide the flexion and extension movement each with a separate adjustment screw, so that they can be set independently of each other. Since this is another possibility of Embodiment of the invention with the help of the existing drawings is conceivable (cf. FIGS. 12 to 15), there is no further graphic representation.

The stance phase throttle valve consists of an upper part 36a, the contains an externally accessible adjusting screw and a lower part 36b, which protrudes with its conical end into a bore 58 (Fig0 14). The conical one When the stance phase throttle valve is in the open position, the end forms with the bore 58 a ring diaphragm. The bore 58 is in communication with the working cylinder volume below the piston 29, so that when the stance valve 40 is closed and the valve is open Stance phase throttle valve 36b Hydraulic fluid when bending the knee joint from The working cylinder volume below the piston 29 flows to the eccentric flow volume 34 can. For active walkers, the stance phase throttle valve can be used to support weight Bending can be adjusted in the correspondingly open position and with passive walkers and those with unfavorable stump conditions or a bad constitution completely getting closed.

The stance phase throttle valve 36b (Fig0 14) can also be equipped with a pressure relief valve 61 are provided. This consists of an annular light surface 61a and one Cylinder compression spring 61b (Fig.9-14) 0 The annular sealing surface 61a can be opened move the shaft of the stance phase throttle valve 36b and closes it. If the overpressure below the piston 29 exceeds a certain value, there is a flow a metered amount of hydraulic fluid through the bore 58 and the cone ring orifice of the stance phase throttle valve 36b, lifts the annular light surface 61a of the pressure relief valve against the resistance of the cylinder compression spring 61b and escapes into the eccentric Annular volume 34. The pressure relief valve 61 is like this dimension that it the overpressure below the Kolb4V when rolling over the prosthesis from the step template in the step back position withstands, In this way it is possible to use the prosthesis as well to be built up with a small forefoot lever and the knee pivot pole lying in front of the load line and with this construction of the prosthesis there will be a gradual flexing of the knee joint avoided when rolling over from the step template into the step back. The prosthetic foot can also be set up in a slight heel foot position, so that in cooperation with the forward displacement of the knee rotation pole in front of the static load line the relative Lengthening of the prosthesis when bending in the step back is limited to a minimum can be. This has the advantage for the prosthesis wearer that he has his body's center of gravity does not have to lift so much to allow the prosthesis to swing freely. The energy expended when walking can be reduced.

In summary, the following additional advantages of the hydraulic cylinder can be found count on previous solutions: For the first time, the design of a Hydraulic cylinder for a whole spectrum of supply cases, namely for active and passive walkers, for disabled people with sneezing and hip disarticulations as well short, medium and long femoral amputations, the advantages of a hydraulic To use the pendulum and stance phase control of the knee joint sensibly and variably, The hydraulic cylinder enables the design of a hydraulically controlled knee joint, as an exchangeable module for tubular skeletal prosthesis systems with quick-release Angle adjustment units can be used.

The low overall height of the hydraulic cylinder allows it to be used for the first time a quick-release angle adjustment unit below the knee joint without the function of the hydraulic pendulum phase control on the damping of the flexion movement must be limited and dispenses with a hydraulic stance phase control must become. The small outside diameter of the hydraulic cylinder allows in connection with the eccentric arrangement of the outer cylinder and the adoption of the joint stop function tone a narrow design of the lower joint part that is adapted to the thigh part.

In this way, a design adapted to the amputation level is achieved the kosmetisohen foam cladding of the femur allows, so that for the first time thanks to a uniaxial knee joint with hydraulic pendulum and stance phase control Knee disarticulation stumps can also be treated, construction dimensions and dimensions of the hydraulic cylinder are opposite existing hydraulic solutions with comparable ones Number of functions significantly reduced, so that less energy is required when walking with this artificial leg is to be expected, the hydraulic cylinder can be also better use as a pure pendulum phase control for different knee joints than previous solutions, since construction costs, size and aces are also lower than in the case of pure pendulum phase controls, both bending and stretching hydraulic damping The principle of piston rod sealing and the large amount of reserve fluid allow an increase in operational reliability and service life to be expected.

Compared to previous solutions with hydraulic pendulum and stance phase control the hydraulic cylinder contains only two elastic seals that prevent fretting are subject, namely the outer piston rod seal and the outer seal of the valve stem of the stance phase lock valve, These are wear seals Can be exchanged from the outside without having to dismantle the entire hydraulic cylinder got to.

Compared to previous solutions, a cost reduction for manufacturing, Maintenance and repair of the hydraulic cylinder can be expected. The described The advantages of the hydraulic cylinder mean that it can also be used in artificial ankles to dampen the dorsal and plantar movement better than previous solutions, in particular also because the damping forces in both directions of movement are independent of each other can be regulated.

Between the hydraulic cylinder 13 and the ankle joint 25 is a three-part valve lifter rod arranged (Fig. 17, 18). It consists of an upper one Valve lifter rod 62, a middle valve lifter rod 63 and a lower valve lifter rod 64. The upper valve lifter rod 62 consists of a cylindrical shaft 62a with flat face and a spherical transfer surface 62b with enlarged diameter. The cylindrical shaft 62a is slidable in a central through hole of the angle adjustment unit 22 and can with its flat end face the spherical transfer surface 4oa of the stance phase lock valve 40 touch the center of the radius of the spherical transmission surface 62b of FIG According to the invention, the upper valve lifter rod 62 coincides with the center of rotation of the Angle adjustment unit 22, so that when the angle of the knee joint changes against Siber the lower leg tube 23 the set valve clearance between the flat end face of the cylindrical shaft 62a and the spherical transmission surface 4oa des Stance phase lock valve 40 does not change.

The lower valve lifter rod 64 consists of a cylindrical shaft 64a with a flat face and a spherical transfer surface 64b with an enlarged Diameter. The cylindrical shaft 64a is displaceable in a central through hole the Winkeljustieinheit 24 stored and touches with its flat end face upper joint surface of the joint lower part firmly connected to the molded foot part 26 75 of the ankle joint 25 (Figs. 17, 18). The center of the radius of the spherical transfer surface 64b of the lower valve lifter rod 64, according to the invention, coincides with the center of rotation the angle adjustment unit 24, so that when the angle of the foot molding changes 26 with respect to the lower leg tube 23, the set valve clearance as described above is not changed, the middle valve lifter rod 63 is between the spherical Transmission surfaces 62b and 64b in an upper fitting socket 65 and a lower one Guide bushing 66 slidably mounted The upper guide bushing 65 is from the lower leg tube 23 and added between the upper end face of the lower leg tube and the angle adjustment unit 22 clamped with a clamp fastener. The lower guide bush 66 is only from the inner circumference of the lower leg tube 23 and contains a conical insertion bore 66a to facilitate assembly of the middle valve lifter rod 63. The upper The end of the middle valve lifter rod consists of a sleeve 67, a pin 68, an overload protection spring 69, a set screw 70 and a Return spring 71, the lower end of a rod 72 with a threaded end 72a and a Lock nut 730 The pin 68 is mounted in the sleeve 67 so as to be displaceable and is in contact with its flat end face the spherical transfer surface 62b of the upper Valve lifter rod 62. An enlarged diameter approach limits its stroke upwards, so that a stop is created in the bushing 67, becomes the middle valve lifter rod 63 is not loaded by external forces, the overload protection spring 69 presses the pin 68 against its stop in the sleeve 67. The overload protection spring is supported 69 at the adjusting screw 7o, the preload of the overload protection spring 69 can by screwing in or out the adjusting screw 70 in an internal thread of the hitlse 67 can be changed. The rod is in the lower end of the internal thread of the sleeve 67 72 is screwed in with its threaded extension 72a and secured by the lock nut 73. The threaded projection 72a is used when adjusting the prosthesis to the xnie-Boden dimension of the The prosthesis wearer is shortened accordingly and is used to adjust the valve lift of the Stance phase lock valve 40. The valve lift of the stance phase lock valve 40 is through By turning the threaded end 72a of the rod 72 out of the sleeve 67, it is reduced in size.

The lower end of the rod 72 is in the lower guide bush 66 mounted displaceably and touches the spherical one with its flat face Transmission surface 64b.

So that the flat end face of the rod 72 is always on the spherical Transfer surface 64b rests and a lifting movement of the middle valve lifter rod 63 and the lower valve lifter rod 64 is down, the return spring pushes 71 on the lock nut 73 attacking both valve lifter rods downwards. Included the return spring 71 is supported on the upper guide bushing 65.

The artificial foot consists of an ankle joint 25 and a molded foot part 26 (Figures 16, 17). Las foot molding 26 can either be a mid-foot wood as a load-bearing element 80 (Fig. 17) or a metal base plate 81 (Fig. 182, so that molded foot parts known design can be used. According to the invention, the construction principle is suitable of the ankle joint 25 for both designs. The ankle joint 25 is made in the essentially from an upper joint part 74, which is connected to the angle adjustment unit 24 and the lower leg tube 23 is connected, a lower joint part 75, a tie rod 76, a plantar buffer element 77, a dorsal buffer element 78 and two fastening screws 79 (Fig0 17, 18) The joint upper part 74 of the artificial foot contains according to the invention a hollow-drilled axis 74a and centric to it in the upper part a circular segment-shaped one Sliding bearing surface 74b with a through-hole for the cylindrical shaft 64a of the lower valve lifter rod 64 (Fig0 17, 18) o In front of the hollow-drilled axis 74a contains the joint upper part with a front stop plate 74c with a bore spherical extension to accommodate the tie rod 76 (Fig0 17) 0 The upper part of the joint 74 is permanently connected to the hollow bored axis 74a by two vertical webs (Fig0 19), so that the resulting narrow width of the joint even with small Foot sizes do not pose any cosmetic problems.

The joint lower part 75 de-ankle joint (Fig. 17, 18) is between the circular segment-shaped sliding bearing surface 74b and the hollow-drilled axis 74a of the Joint upper part rotatably mounted. According to the invention, the lower joint part 75 has between the circular segment-shaped sliding bearing surface 74b and the hollow-drilled axis 74a Bearing play, so that the rest on the upper plain bearing surface of the lower joint part 75 cylindrical shaft 64a of the lower valve lifter rod 64 given a lifting movement The lower joint part 75 has the shape of a circular ring which is open at the bottom and is at the open circular ring ends with the foot molding 26 by two fastening screws 79 firmly connected. The middle circular ring of the joint lower part 75 consists of one solid inelastic material (Fig0 19) and serves to absorb the bearing forces and for fastening with the molded foot part 26. The outer sides of the lower joint part 75 (Fig0 19) consist of a hard-elastic material and are shaped so that the Foot molding opposite the lower leg tube both a rotational and a Can make pro and supination movements.

A glued-in is located in front of the ankle joint 25 in the molded foot part 26 Threaded sleeve 82 made of metal (Fig. 17). This serves to hold the dorsal buffer element 78 and the plantar buffer element 77. The threaded bushing 82 compensates as a result, the material weakening of the molded foot part that they are glued to theirs Thread and its pipe wall at the power transmission when the forefoot is subjected to bending involved. Plantar buffer element 77 and dorsal buffer element 78 are through the tie rod 76 with each other and with the front stop plate 74e and a cover 83 of the Threaded bushing 82 clamped. The transmission of force from the tie rod 76 to the plantar buffer element 77 is taken over by a stop nut 84. The tie rod 76 is with its threaded end screwed adjustable into the stop nut 84. In this way, the Pre-tensioning of the buffer elements to the body weight and the walking dynamics of the prosthesis wearer adjust, the tensioning of the buffer elements results in a gentle increase in force guaranteed when the artificial foot begins to roll over the ball of the foot.

A foot molding of a known design can also be used, which includes a metal base plate 81 (Fig. 18). This takes the tie rod 76 with it the mutually braced buffer elements 77 and 78 and the front stop plate 74c of the upper joint part 74 (FIG. 18). This design eliminates the need for a threaded bushing 82.

The tie rod 76 has a head with a spherical annular surface and is stored in a bore with a spherical counter surface (Fig0 17, 18). The spherical Opposite surface is either from the front stop plate 74c (FIG. 17) or the Metal base plate 881 (Fig. 188) is formed. Both the head and the mating surface of the tie rod allow a pivoting movement due to their spherical contact surfaces the tie rod axis with different movements in the joint.

The interaction of the components is now one for the double step Described prosthesis wearer with the artificial leg.

When moving the artificial leg, initially only touches the heel edge of the shoe touches the ground and the ground support force acts on the heel of the molded foot part 26 (Figures 17, 18).

The molded foot part behaves like a one-armed lever until the Bearing play between the circular segment-shaped sliding bearing surface 74b and the upper Opposite surface of the lower joint part 75 of the ankle joint 25 is balanced and the Storage areas touch The pivot point of the one-armed lever is the spherical head of the tie rod 76o when equalizing the bearing play the upper joint part 74 moves with all the structural elements above it of the artificial leg down so that the valve lifter rods 64, 63 and 62 are opposite make these components a relative movement upwards, as the cylindrical shaft 64a of the lower valve lifter rod 64 on the upper bearing surface of the lower joint part 75 rests (Fig0 17, 18) The lever ratios given in this load situation cause that even with very little heel load on the artificial foot the three-part valve lifter rod is actuated, the bearing play between the upper part of the joint 74 and lower joint part 75 is slightly larger than the stroke of the stance phase lock valve 40, so that when the heel is loaded and the valve clearance is correctly adjusted, the pin 68 pushed slightly into the sleeve 67 of the central valve lifter rod 63 is (Fig0 17, 18) and the stance phase shut-off valve 40 under bias of the overload protection spring 69 is pressed 0 The frustoconical sealing surface of the stance phase shut-off valve closes the bore 60. As a result, the hydraulic fluid from the Working cylinder 30 below the piston 29 (see Fig. 12 to 15) does not escape and the piston rod 14 prevents Benge movement between the upper joint part 6 and Lower joint part 11 (Fig. 8), so that the knee bending torque in this step phase is intercepted.

After the step edge comes into contact with the ground, the artificial one is lowered And the forward turning of the artificial leg.

As soon as the bearing play is balanced, the molded foot part is transformed first in a two-armed lever, the counterforce being the ground support force from the front stop plate 74c, the tie rod 76, the plantar buffer element 77 and the cover 83 is received in the threaded sleeve 82 and the pivot point itself located in the ankle joint 25. As long as the front stop plate 74c is not against the dorsal buffer element 78 presses, the circular segment-shaped guide bearing surface becomes 74b pressed against the upper mating surface of the lower joint part 75, so that the stance phase lock valve 40 remains closed. The plantar buffer element 77 is secured by the tie rod 76 pretensioned and cushions the heel strike, that of the plantar buffer element 77 on the Lower leg acting forward turning moment can not cause any uncertainty in the knee joint generate because the stance phase cut valve 40 remains closed.

As the forward movement progresses, the ground support force migrates from heel to ball of the foot. As soon as their line of action, the front stop plate 74c the front stop plate is against the dorsal buffer element 78 pressed and a reverse torque acts on the lower leg, the has a securing effect on the knee joint. Thereby the stop plate and the dorsal buffer element form the fulcrum of a two-armed lever, the counterforce being the ground support force from the hollow bored axis 74a of the joint upper part and the lower lean surface of the lower joint part 75 is received. This has the consequence that between the circular segment-shaped Sliding bearing surface 74b of the upper joint part and the upper counter surface of the lower joint part 75 There is play and the three-part valve lifter rod is the stance phase lock valve 4o releases In the step back position, the knee joint can now swing freely of the artificial leg can be bent. The piston rod 14 retracts and the piston 29 displaces the hydraulic fluid located below it in the working cylinder 30. This escapes into the lateral bore 59 and opens the unloaded stance phase lock valve 40 and flows from the bore 6o into the throttle bore 56 of the pendulum phase throttle valve 41 (Fig0 12) and from there via the channels 57 (Fig0 16) into the ring volume 34 Das Bendel-phase throttle valve 41 is set on the adjusting screw 55 (Fig. 12) so that that in the hydraulic cylinder both with fast and with slow swing through of the artificial lower leg a counter pressure corresponding to the respective movement energy builds up and the hydraulic cylinder in the knee joint has the required section modulus generated. The required setting of the pendulum phase throttle valve depends on the mass of the lower leg and the distance of its center of mass from the knee pivot and must be done individually.

While the piston rod 14 retracts when the knee joint is bent, enlarged the working cylinder volume above the piston 29 (see. Fig. 12 to 15) The The resulting negative pressure causes hydraulic fluid from the ring volume 34 into the Tube 38 flows (Fig0 13), the non-return valve 37 opens and through the side Bore 39 enters the working cylinder volume above the piston 29 so that: the working cylinder volume above the piston always with hydraulic fluid is filled, the additional amount of liquid displaced by the retracting piston rod 14 is taken up by the not completely grooved ring volume 34.

After reaching the maximum knee flexion, swing forward of the artificial leg with extension of the knee joint 0 While the piston rod 14 extends, gives the advancing spring 21 (Fig.) The kinetic energy component stored by it to accelerate the stretching of the lower leg.

The working cylinder volume above the piston 29 is reduced and the hydraulic fluid flows through the throttle bore 53 of the shuttle phase throttle valve 35 (FIG. 12) into the tube 52 and from there into the eccentric ring volume 34 Below the piston 29, the volume increases and a negative pressure is created, so that hydraulic bite from the eccentric ring volume 34 through the socket 43 (Fig. 13) flows, the check valve 42. pushes and from there over the side Bore 44 enters the working cylinder 30 below the piston 29. To this Way there is always hydraulic fluid below the piston 29. Briefly the upper edge of the piston 29 covers prior to the maximum extension of the knee joint the throttle bore 53 increasingly, so that the hydraulic cylinder a progressive increasing damping force generated and the knee stop surfaces of piston 29 and Put on the upper housing part 32 softly. This creates the intermittent edges of the art community avoided when stretching the knee joint at the end of the pendulum phase. The stretching process the lower leg is delayed to the right extent and can follow the natural sequence of movements be adjusted while walking.

If a prosthesis wearer wants to sit down with the artificial leg, there are two ways to initiate flexion in the knee joint. The first Possibility is the foot of the artificial leg as close as possible to put in front of the seat so that only the ball of the artificial foot is loaded and consequently the three-part valve lifter rod is the stance phase lock valve 40 releases, The knee-securing effect of the forefoot lever can be used in this situation easily by bending the hip joint or pushing the hips forward in the case of a slightly strained ball of the foot Artificial foot to be overcome.

The second way to sit down is through heel loading of the artificial foot to bring about a measured, weight-supporting flexion of the artificial leg. This process assumes that the lower part of the stance phase throttle valve 36b (Fig0 14) is set in the correspondingly open position, so that a narrow Hingspalt the bore 58 is released. Is the lower part of the stance phase throttle valve 36b is provided with an overpressure valve 61, so this can in this load situation so that the hydraulic fluid below the piston 29 in the eccentric ring volume 34 can escape. When the position is open accordingly of the lower part of the stance phase throttle valve 36b is with and without a pressure relief valve 61 a dosed, weight-supporting flexion of the artificial leg is possible. The pressure relief valve 61 only has the task of opening the stance phase throttle valve 36b and resting Load on the artificial leg while standing leads to a gradual bending of the knee joint impede. This gradual bowing can occur when standing still the dorsal buffer element 78 not through the front stop plate 74c (Fig. 17, 18) is loaded and the artificial leg is built up with a relatively small forefoot lever is. The bending moment in the knee joint that occurs in this load situation is naturally much less than with pure heel loading of the artificial foot.

Therefore, the safety valve 61 can be dimensioned so that it is at Heel load of the artificial foot responds, but in a resting position on the artificial leg Knee safety guaranteed.

Unhindered getting up with the artificial leg is possible at any time possible, since the stance phase lock valve 40 only moves in the opposite direction of the piston 29 locks.

Will a prosthesis wearer with the artificial leg alternately crooked Going down levels or stairs, sn must be the lower part of the stance throttle valve 36b should be adjusted in the correspondingly open position to provide a weight support Allow the artificial leg to flex at the correct speed when walking down Naturally, only the heel of the artificial foot is burdened by inclinations, so that the Stance phase lock valve 40 from the three-part valve lifter rod to closed Position is pressed. When going down stairs, this is only the case if not the entire surface of the foot, but only the heel of the artificial foot to the next lower Stair step is set 0 This reciprocal going down stairs can However, only from people with red disease with a good constitution and favorable residual limb conditions be exercised. The variable setting option of the hydraulic cylinder 13 enables the necessary adaptation of the artificial leg to the constitution and stump conditions of the prosthesis wearer

Claims (1)

Claims: M (1.) artificial leg with hydraulic pendulum and stance phase control for thigh amputations as well as knee and hip joint disarticulations, consisting of from a thigh part, one hinged to this and with a hydraulic cylinder and a control linkage provided lower leg part, W @@@@ @@@@ and an am Artificial foot articulated on the lower leg with load control of the hydraulic cylinder Heel loading, characterized by a uniaxial knee joint with a behind the knee pivot point articulated double-acting hydraulic cylinder (13), which with only a piston (29) and a working cylinder (30) at the same time the bending and stretching movement of the lower leg in the pendulum phase and the stance phase of the prosthesis controls and takes over the function of the knee joint stop, with burehmess, height and mass of the hydraulic cylinder have a minimum that a working cylinder (30) eccentrically enclosed by an outer cylinder (31) with an annular volume (34) which, in the eccentric extension, has two externally adjustable pendulum phase throttle valves (35, 41) for both directions of movement of the piston, one adjustable from the outside and closable stance phase throttle valve (36a, 36b) for weight support Contains flexion of the knee joint as well as two check valves (37, 62), each above and below the piston the passage from the working cylinder to the ring volume (39, 44) by a centric between the lower linkage of the Wv hydraulic cylinder (18, 19, 20) arranged stance phase shut-off valve (40), which is controlled from the outside Piston movement direction "bending" can block by moving the passage to the lower adjustable throttle bore (56) for the pendulum phase and the ring volume (34) closed by an upper joint part (6) with a divided knee joint axis (2), a rotatable axle (15) as a linkage for the piston rod (14) of the hydraulic cylinder and a quick-release and rotatable adjustment adapter (5) with one depending on the amputation level designed shaft connection (5a) of known design, the adjustment adapter so in the upper part of the joint (6) is integrated that a hole (6b) for Receipt of a conical shoulder (5d) of the adjustment adapter and three clamping screws (9) Are part of the joint upper part and thereby the joint upper part with the assembled Shank connection (5a) has a minimum overall height, due to a fork-shaped lower joint part (11), which at the lower end is the lower linkage of the hydraulic cylinder (18, 19, 2o) as well as a quick-release angle adjustment unit (22) of known design and to the Fork ends (11a) containing the lean bushings (12) of the knee joint axis (2) and through Elimination of a front knee joint stop (taken over by the one hinged at the rear Hydraulic cylinder) in the region of the fork ends (11a) can be so narrow that when the joint is bent, the width of the fork ends of the overall height of the joint's upper part (6) corresponds, wherein the lateral contour of the fork (11b) with such a rounding is provided that a flexion angle between the upper and lower part of the knee joint of 1200 becomes possible and a hollowed out in front of the lower part of the joint when bending cosmetic foam cladding (27, 27a) rests closely on the lower part of the joint, which in conjunction with the low overall height of (telescopic upper and lower part also a supply of knee disarticulation vaccines is made possible by an artificial Foot with a knuckle joint (25), the one with an angle adjustment unit (24) more known Design and a lower leg tube (23) connected joint upper part (74) has a low Relative movement to a lower joint part firmly connected to a molded foot part (26) (75) allowed, on the upper joint surface of the firmly connected to the foot molding Joint lower part (75) a valve lifter rod (64, 64a) rests and when it is loaded of the artificial foot one in front of the ankle joint with the joint upper part (74) and plantar buffer element (77) connected to the molded foot part (26) via a tie rod (76) at the same time dampens the plantar movement of the ankle joint and relates to the molded foot part acts as the fulcrum of a one-armed lever, so that at the slightest load the heel presses the upper bearing surfaces (74b, 75) of the ankle joint against one another be, give the valve lifter rod (64, 63, 62) a lifting movement and this Lifting movement reverse as soon as a dorsal buffer element (78) of the foot is loaded and the knee protection takes over, so that the knee joint in the crotch position in good time can be bent, by pulling the prosthetic foot also a left becomes possible without using locking mechanisms and by slightly positioning the heel of the artificial foot, the relative elongation of the prosthesis when flexing in the Step reserve can be kept to a minimum by one between the artificial Three-part valve lifter rod (62, 63, 64) with spherical transfer surfaces (62b, 64b) at the dividing points, wherein the centers of the transmission surfaces coincide with the centers of rotation of the angular adjustment units (22, 24) and the last upper transmission surface (40a) with the center of rotation of the Hydraulic cylinder cover, so that angle changes when adjusting the artificial Foot and the artificial knee joint as well as an angle change of the hydraulic cylinder when bending the artificial knee joint, the adjustment of the three-part valve lifter rod is not affected (62, 63, 64) and an unhindered assembly of the knee joint and foot allow 2. Kunatbein according to claim 1, characterized by an upper housing part (32) of the hydraulic cylinder, the outside diameter of which is eccentric to the bores of the working cylinder (30) and piston rod (14) is arranged and that in the eccentric Widening a pendulum phase throttle valve (35) for the stretching movement, the upper one Contains part of a stance phase throttle valve (36a) and a non-return valve (37), the one unthrottled passage from the eccentric ring volume (34) to the upper one Releases the end of the working cylinder. 3. artificial leg according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by a in the upper housing part (32) of the hydraulic cylinder in front of the outer piston rod seal (48) located ring volume (49), which with the eccentric ring volume (34) of the Outer cylinder (31) via a bore (50) and one to the bottom of the eccentric ring volume guided tube (51J is connected so that depressurization of the outer end rod seal takes place and on the inner piston tangential passage from the working cylinder @ Escaping hydraulic fluid lubricates the outer piston rod seal and is returned to the system and that when there is negative pressure in the upper working cylinder room no air enters this 4 @ artificial leg according to claims 1 to 'thereby gre indicates that the liquid passage in the upper GehSuseteil (32) of the Hydraulic cylinder located pendulum phase throttle valve (35) and the check valve (37) to the eccentric ring volume (34) takes place via a tube (52, 38), which ends just before the bottom of the eccentric ring volume (34), so that the working cylinder (30) The system is constantly full even when there is a loss of fluid and is constantly changing multiple pumping can independently evacuate 5. artificial leg according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the eccentric ring volume (34) of the hydraulic cylinder is not completely filled with hydraulic fluid, so that the Piston rod (16) displaced amount of liquid can be received and be Volume in relation to the working cylinder volume is so large that only air can get into the working cylinder when the fluid leaks from the system Is a multiple of the working cylinder volume and the fluid level in the eccentric Ring volume (34) below the level of that located in the eccentric expansion Tube (52, 78, 51) has sunk. 6 artificial leg according to claims 1 to 5, characterized by a lower housing part (33) of the hydraulic cylinder, the outside diameter of which is eccentric to the bores of the working cylinder (3o) and stance phase shut-off valve (to) arranged and that in the eccentric widening the lower part of the stance phase throttle valve (36b), a pendulum phase throttle valve (41) for the flexion movement and a check valve (42) with a lateral bore (d4) as a passage from the eccentric ring volume (34) to the lower end of the working cylinder and in the center of the working cylinder (30) bore a stance phase shut-off valve (4o) as well as vertical two arranged to the working cylinder axis and symmetrically to the stance phase shut-off valve Threaded bushings (Ro), each ending as a blind hole, for the lower countersink of the hydraulic cylinder. 7. artificial leg according to claims 1 to 6, characterized by a Throttle bore located in the upper end of the working cylinder (ho) of the hydraulic cylinder (53) which is arranged so that the upper edge of the piston (29) is in the extended position approximately covers, so that the hydraulic cylinder when stretching the knee joint Progressively increasing damping force is generated, the size of which increases with walking speed increases. 8. unstbein according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that that the pendulum phase throttle valve (41) for the bending movement through a valve stem (54) with the end phase throttle valve (35) for the stretching movement and one at the top End located adjusting screw (55) is connected, so that by turning the adjusting screw Both throttle valves can be adjusted at the same time and when the hydraulic fluid is heated and the associated change in viscosity of the valve stem due to thermal expansion narrows the passage for the throttle bore (56) to flexion, so that the flexion resistance of the knee joint in the pendulum phase based on a walking speed different operating temperatures of the hydraulic cylinder kept constant can be. 9. artificial leg according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that that the pendulum phase throttle valves (41, 25) for the flexion and extension movement too can each be provided with a separate adjusting screw so that they can be set independently of one another and this also creates the possibility the hydraulic cylinder (13) in artificial feet to dampen the movement of the ankle joints insert 10. artificial leg according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the stance phase throttle valve (36a, 36b) of the hydraulic cylinder for active walkers adjusted for weight support in an appropriately open position will can and with passive walking and those with unfavorable residual limb conditions completely be closed and that the passage of the stance phase throttle valve (36a, 36b) to the eccentric ring volume (34) through a pressure relief valve (61, 61a, fS1b) can be closed, which in the resting position on the artificial leg with the open Stance phase throttle valve a gradual bending in the knee joint prevents yourself but with pure heel loading of the artificial foot in the step template of the artificial leg by the liquid pressure below the piston (29), which makes it especially for active walkers the possibility is created to build up the femur in such a way that the relative elongation of the artificial leg when flexing in the back step a minimum can be limited 11. artificial leg according to claims 1 to 10, thereby characterized in that the hydraulic cylinder (13) contain only two elastic seals must, which are subject to fretting, namely the outer piston rod seal (48) and the outer seal (45) of the valve stem of the stance phase check valve (40) and that both seals can be replaced from the outside without the hydraulic cylinder must be dismantled. 12. Artificial leg according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that that the stance phase shut-off valve (40) of the hydraulic cylinder consists of a cylindrical Shank with frustoconical sealing surface and one at the lower outer end spherical transfer surface (dna) with enlarged diameter, in a screw connection (46) is slidably mounted and closes a bore (60), which have a slightly smaller diameter than the cylindrical shaft of the stance phase lock valve and that the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the cylindrical shaft flows to the bore (60), so that a small force component acts on this shaft, which drives it outwards when the spherical transmission surface (40a) passes through an upper valve lifter rod (62) is not loaded. 13. artificial leg according to Ansaruch 1. characterized in that the joint upper part (74. Of the artificial foot contains a honed axis (74a) and is centric for this purpose a circular segment-shaped sliding bearing surface (74 @) with a through-hole in the upper part for the lower part of the valve lifter rod (64) and a front stop plate (74c) , cie a bore with a spherical extension to accommodate a tie rod (76) and that the joint upper part with the hollow-drilled axis through two perpendicular Web is inextricably linked, so that the consequent WerinKe clean width of the joint No cosmetic problems even with small feet. 14. Artificial leg according to claim 1 and 13, characterized in that the joint lower part (75) between the circular segment-shaped sliding bearing surface (74b) and the hollow-bore axis (74a) of the joint upper part (74) is mounted with a handle and that the lower joint part has the shape of a downwardly open circular ring and at the ends of the circular ring with the Fußfoxmteil (26) by two fastening screws (79) is firmly connected. 15. artificial leg according to claims, 13 and 14, characterized in that that a central circular ring of the lower joint part F75) consists of a solid inelastic There is material and for absorbing the bearing forces and for fastening with the molded foot part (26) is used and the outer sides of the lower part of the joint are made of a hard-elastic material exist and are shaped so that the buss molding opposite the lower leg tube (23) allows both a rotational and a pro and supination movement. 16. Artificial leg according to claims 1 and 13 to 15, characterized in that that in front of the ankle joint (25) in the molded foot part (26) there is a glued-in threaded bushing (82) made of metal to accommodate a rorsal and a plantar buffer element (77, 78), the threaded bushing thereby weakening the material of the molded foot part compensates for the fact that they adhere to their glued-in thread and their pipe wall involved in power transmission when the forefoot is subjected to bending. 17. Artificial leg according to claims 1 and 13 to @@@ @ characterized by that lorsal and plantar buffer element (77 78) together by a tie rod (76) as well as with the front stop plate (74c) of the joint upper part and a leak (83) of the threaded bushing are braced in the molded foot part, with the bracing the buffer elements a gentle increase in force when the artificial unwinding begins Foot over the ball of the foot and by turning the tie rod (76) in a stop nut (84) the bias of the buffer elements (7'1, 78) accordingly the body weight and gait dynamics of the prosthesis wearer can be regulated. 18. Artificial leg according to claims 1 and 13 to 17, characterized by that a Pußformteil (26) known design can be used, the one Metal base plate (81) contains the tie rod (76) with the machined Lorsal and Plantar buffer elements (77, 78) and the front stop plate (74c) of the joint's upper part receives, whereby a threaded bushing (82) is omitted. 19. Artificial leg according to claims 1 and 13 to 18, characterized in that that a head of the tie rod (76) provided with a spherical annular surface in a bore with a spherical mating surface is mounted, the mating surface formed either by the front stop plate (74c) or the metal base plate (81) can be and both the head and the counter surface of the tie rod through their spherical contact surface a pivoting movement of the tie rod axis at different Allow movement in the joint. 20. artificial leg according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper and lower valve lifter rod (62, 64) each with its cylindrical shaft (62a, 64a) displaceable in a central through hole of an angle adjustment unit (22, 24) is stored. 21. Artificial leg according to claim 1 and 20, characterized in that the middle valve lifter rod (63) in an upper and lower guide bushing (65, 66) is slidably mounted in the lower leg tube (23), the upper guide bushing (65) between the angle adjustment unit (22) and the lower leg tube (23) clamped and the lower extension bushing (66) has a conical insertion bore (66a) to facilitate assembly of the middle valve lifter rod. 22. Artificial leg according to claim 1, 2o and 21, characterized in that that the upper end of the middle valve lifter rod (6)) consists of a sleeve (67), a Consists of a pin (68), an overload protection spring (69) and an adjusting screw (70), the pin (68) is slidably mounted in the sleeve (67) and with the valve lifter rod relieved is pressed by the overload protection spring against a stop in the sleeve, its outer end face being the spherical transmission surface (62b) of the upper The valve lifter rod (62) is touched and counteracted by the adjustment screw (70) Push the overload protection spring (r 9) into the sleeve (67) can, as a result of which both an overload of the closed stance phase shut-off valve (o) as well as the entire hydraulic cylinder (13) is avoided. 23. Artificial leg according to claims 1 and 20 to 22, characterized in that that the lower end of the central valve lifter rod (63) consists of a rod (72), which is screwed with its threaded end into the internal thread of the sleeve (67) and through a lock nut (73) is secured, so that a possibility for adjusting aes Valve lift and by shortening the threaded end of the rod (72) a tuning the length of the lower valve lifter rod to the required lower leg length of the prosthesis wearer becomes possible. 24. Artificial leg according to claim 1, characterized by an elastic Compensation piece (28) in front of the upper joint part (6) and the lower joint part (11) of the Knee joint that bends elastically when the knee joint is bent, but only Let it squeeze insignificantly so that the bent knee joint during the treatment of long and short thigh stumps and hip disarticulations a natural one Profile and the thigh is given a normal length.