Model & Instrument Development Corporation

M+ind (model & Instrument Development Corporation

William E Bryant

David M Crist

Edward W Burt

A prosthetic foot having a keel formed by a flexible sole plate connected to the lower end of an ankle portion that is attachable to a user's leg or leg prosthesis. A plurality of resilient bending ribs extend from the angle portion to spaced apart locations on the upper surface of the sole plate to resiliently bias the sole plate to a neutral configuration. As the forward portion of the sole plate is progressively loaded, the sole plate flexes causing the bending ribs to deflect until they successively stack up against each other, thereby progressively stiffening the keel.

Prosthetic foot and keel therefor having progressive stiffening under

A prosthetic support pylon is disclosed that is comprised of a tubular inner member being deformable along its longitudinal axis and comprised of a material having a composite stiffness value of between about 30,000 pounds.multidot.inch.sup.2 and about 200,000 pounds.multidot.inch.sup.2 and a tubular outer member over the tubular inner portion. The tubular outer member is comprised of a dampening material which slows the release of the energy produced by the tubular inner member upon return from deformation along its longitudinal axis. The material of the tubular inner member is comprised of a support matrix and of stiffening fibers which are most preferably selected from a group consisting of carbon, graphite, fiberglass, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and aramid. The support matrix of the tubular inner member is most preferably selected from the group consisting of epoxy, vinyl ester and polyester. The tubular outer member is comprised of a thermoplastic material most preferably selected from a group consisting of polyamide, acetal, aromatic polyester, and polysulfone. A retainer holds an end of the prosthetic support pylon therein, and the axial rotation of the pylon is minimized by a screw on the retainer exterior which has threads that bite into the pylon through a slot in the retainer.

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Everett, WA, United States of America

William E Bryant