Method and system to monitor and design prosthetics
Inventors
Major, Matthew Justin • Caputo, Josh • Chen, Tianyao
Assignees
Human Motion Technologies D/b/a Humotech LLC • US Govt Rep By Department Of Veterans Affairs AS • Human Motion Technologies LLC • Northwestern University • US Department of Veterans Affairs
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Publication Number
US-12616591-B1
Publication Date
2026-05-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
An illustrative prosthesis and orthosis testing system includes a platform that receives a prosthesis or orthosis. A motor or a weight are configured to apply a load to the prosthesis or orthosis, and one or more load cells are configured to measure a magnitude of the load on the prosthesis or orthosis. The system also includes one or more encoders configured to measure one or more positions and one or more orientations of the prosthesis or orthosis in response to the applied load.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a prosthesis and orthosis testing system that mounts a prosthesis or orthosis to a platform that receives the prosthesis or orthosis. A motor or a weight applies a load to the prosthesis or orthosis through a pylon, and one or more load cells measure a magnitude of the load on the prosthesis or orthosis.
One or more encoders measure one or more positions and one or more orientations of the prosthesis or orthosis in response to the applied load. The encoder measurements are used to calculate a deformation of the prosthesis or orthosis based on the one or more positions and the one or more orientations, and a characteristic of the prosthesis or orthosis is determined based on the deformation.
The system is described as a “universal” prosthesis/orthosis bench testing system that is designed to be affordable and usable across clinical, education, research, and manufacturing settings. The disclosure further specifies optional components, including a linear actuator, an accelerometer, an integrated 3-axis load cell, and linear and rotational encoders, and provides example test architectures including manual versus actuated testing subsystems and GUI-based visualization of results.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 requires an integrated testing system that applies load through a pylon, measures load magnitude and prosthesis/orthosis position/orientation, calculates deformation from those measurements, derives prosthesis/orthosis characteristics from deformation, and determines center of pressure location using encoder data. Dependent claims refine sensing and processing by adding optional mechanical and sensing components and by defining additional derived outputs and pylon motion constraints.
Pylon load application and platform mounting for prosthesis and orthosis testing
A platform that receives a prosthesis or orthosis; a motor or a weight configured to apply a load to the prosthesis or orthosis through a pylon.
Load magnitude measurement with load cells
One or more load cells configured to measure a magnitude of the load on the prosthesis or orthosis.
Position and orientation measurement with encoders to calculate deformation
One or more encoders configured to measure one or more positions and one or more orientations of the prosthesis or orthosis in response to the applied load, wherein the one or more encoders are configured to calculate a deformation of the prosthesis or orthosis based on the one or more positions and the one or more orientations.
Deformation-based determination of prosthesis and orthosis characteristics
A characteristic of the prosthesis or orthosis is determined based on the deformation.
Processor determination of center of pressure location from encoder data
A processor in communication with the one or more encoders, wherein the processor is configured to determine a center of pressure location on the prosthesis or orthosis based at least in part on data from the one or more encoders.
Across the independent claim and its dependent refinements referenced in the disclosure, the claim set centers on coupling pylon-based loading with encoder-measured positions and orientations to calculate deformation, using that deformation to determine prosthesis or orthosis characteristics, and using encoder data to determine a center of pressure location. Dependent claims further specify additional sensing and actuation components and broader outputs, including roll-over shape, torque-ankle curve-related outputs, stiffness and damping estimates, and pylon motion through a range of angles under load.
Stated Advantages
Designed to be affordable.
Usable across clinical, education, research, and manufacturing settings.
Provides results including center of pressure (COP), roll-over shape, torque-ankle curves, and stiffness and damping estimates.
Documented Applications
Bench testing of prosthesis and orthosis systems in clinical settings.
Bench testing in education settings.
Bench testing in research settings.
Bench testing in manufacturing settings.
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