METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING KNEE JOINT OF LEG PROSTHESIS Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: medicine; prosthetics. SUBSTANCE: inventive novelty of proposed method and apparatus for controlling leg prosthesis is based on principle of dividing patient's each step into stages, thereby permitting to improve reaction of prosthesis system in each stage. System comprises sensing elements responsive to load and to angle of turning knee joint. Signals issued by these sensing elements are converter into electric signals, processed by programmable microprocessor, and used with help of microprocessor-controlled hydraulic damper to correct in each stage resistance offered by knee joint to bending, unbending or to both. EFFECT: patient's walk with prosthesis becomes more correct and closer to natural walk. 6 cl, 36 dwg