Foot prosthesis

Patent 6261324 Issued on July 17, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 26, 2019. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Modular composite prosthetic foot and leg
Patent #: 4822363
Issued on: 04/18/1989
Inventor: Phillips

Foot prosthesis and method of making same
Patent #: 4959073
Issued on: 09/25/1990
Inventor: Merlette

Prosthetic foot
Patent #: 5219365
Issued on: 06/15/1993
Inventor: Sabolich

Foot prosthesis having auxiliary ankle construction
Patent #: 5486209
Issued on: 01/23/1996
Inventor: Phillips

Foot and leg prosthesis and method of making same
Patent #: 5593456
Issued on: 01/14/1997
Inventor: Merlette

Composite/metal pyramid prosthetic components
Patent #: 5728171
Issued on: 03/17/1998
Inventor: Bryant, Jr., et al.

Jointless foot prosthesis
Patent #: 5888239
Issued on: 03/30/1999
Inventor: Wellershaus, et al.

Integrated keel-pylon prosthesis Patent #: 5993487
Issued on: 11/30/1999
Inventor: Skardoutos, et al.

Inventor

Merlette, John B.

Assignee

CRP, Inc.

Application

No. 320393 filed on 05/26/1999

US Classes:

623/55Resilient

Examiners

Primary: Snow, Bruce

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, Brueggemann; James R.

International Class

A61F 002/66

Abstract

An improved foot prosthesis is disclosed which is durable in performance and inexpensive to manufacture, yet effective in accurately duplicating the feel and dynamic performance characteristics of the natural human foot. The prosthesis incorporates a single composite member having a forefoot portion beneath which is molded a unitary elastomeric sole that projects rearwardly from the composite member to define a heel. The elastomeric sole also projects laterally from the composite member so as to provide a degree of lateral stability that matches the inversion/eversion resistance of the normal human foot. In addition, a separate height adjuster and/or stiffness adjuster can be removably attached to the underside of the elastomeric sole, to enable the user to selectively adjust the prosthesis' heel height and/or stiffness.