PROSTHETIC APPARATUS

摘要

An artificial joint having at least two degrees of freedom of movement and at least two rotary motors arranged to effect movement of the joint in one of those degrees of freedom when the motors operate in respective given senses of rotation and to effect movement of the joint in the other of those at least two degrees of freedom when the sense of rotation of one of the motors is reversed. In this way the actual movement of the joint is dependent upon a balancing of the operation of the said at least two rotary motors, in which those motors are connected to a microprocessor for control thereby. Sensors are provided on the joint to monitor the operation of those motors, the sensors also being connected to the microprocessor to effect a closed loop feedback control in the operation of the motors. Also, a cover for a prosthesis comprising a silicone rubber laminate and a reinforcing liner on the intended underside of the laminate bonded thereto. Also, a prosthetic device comprising a tendon having a portion which engages a movable member of the device, so that movement of the tendon in a given direction urges the said movable member correspondingly. The said portion engages the said movable member by being received in one end of a slot within the movable member. The slot extends from the said end in a direction opposite to the said given direction. Also, a prosthesis comprising at least two parts which are moveable relative to one another, an actuator connected to move one of the parts relative to the other, and a control connected to operate the actuator in dependence upon a signal issued to the control by the user. A movement transducer is connected to the control, and also to the actuator to provide signals to the control indicative of the amount of movement effected by the actuator, and the control operates the actuator in dependence upon the signals it receives from the transducer.