| 摘要 |
An improved prosthetic foot construction providing resilient lateral flexion as well as excellent longitudinal flexion and energy recovery includes a core frame embedded in an expanded polymer body that mimics the shape of a natural foot. The core frame extends in a generally vertical plane, and comprises a modified trapezoidal shape having an open medial region. The frame includes an upper side having a mounting bolt extending therethrough to a lower leg prosthesis, and a lower side generally parallel to the sole of the prosthesis. The rear side of the trapezoid extends generally parallel to the rear heel surface of the prosthesis, and the front side extends obliquely from the upper side toward the lower side. A ball and socket connection joins the front side and the lower side of the frame, so that the oblique front side of the frame may undergo rotational motion with respect to the remainder of the frame. As a result, the top side may be driven into lateral flexion with respect to the frame and the foot to provide resilient lateral flexion of the foot and duplicate the flexibility of a natural ankle. The core frame is formed of a high density polymer material reinforced with carbon fiber extending continuously thereabout from the toe end of the lower side of the frame to the ball and socket interface at the lower end of the oblique front side of the frame, adding significant strength and resiliency to the frame, increasing its efficiency in returning energy to the user and enhancing the longevity of the prosthesis. The frame is cast in place within the foamed polymer body of the prosthetic foot. The core frame does not extend to the toe region of the body, so that the toe region may undergo elastic flexion during the plant and toe roll-off stages of stepping, thus providing highly efficient energy recovery for walking, running, and the like.
|
