Wearable assistance devices and methods of operating the same are provided. A wearable assistance device includes an upper-body interface with a front side and a rear side and a lower-body interface with a front side and a rear side. The assistance device also includes one or more elastic members, each of the elastic members mechanically coupling the upper-body interface to the lower-body interface and extending from the rear side of the upper-body interface to the rear side of the lower-body interface and along a back of the user so as to provide an assistive force parallel to the back of the user. Further, the assistance device also includes a clutch mechanism associated with each one of the elastic members, the clutch mechanism configured for selectively adjusting the assistive force provided by the one of the elastic members.

A device for managing patellofemoral pain includes a wearable anchor structure configured to be positioned adjacent to the knee joint of a user. A spring mechanism is attachable, during use, to the anchor structure at first and second attachment positions located laterally and medially of the knee joint, respectively. An attachment component is coupled to the spring mechanism and has an attachment surface configured to be removably attached, during use, to the skin over the patella of the user such that the spring mechanism applies a tension force on the attachment component in an anterior direction. Methods for managing patellofemoral pain and realigning the patella and a patellofemoral pain management kit are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a tensioning strap comprising a strap-shaped base body that is compressible and/or extensible in the longitudinal direction, and comprising at least one pull cable, wherein the pull cable runs at least once along the longitudinal direction of the base body, and wherein the pull cable is deflected at at least one end of the base body. The present invention also relates to various possible applications of the tensioning strap according to the inventionin particular, in the field of medical aids, orthopedic aids, or sports aids.

A wearable mobility assisting device is provided having one or a plurality of elastic bands extending between anchors positioned on an anchor belt engaged to the body of the user at a first location and a limb belt engaged to the body of the user in a second position. The anchors may be slidably located to adjust the force vector or angle of the elastic bands between their engaged opposing ends. A shoulder harness may also be provided for additional stability of the device during use.

A cervical collar has an anterior component including a lower support that is adjustable in angle relative to a main support. The lower support is hingedly connected to the main support at first and second end portions. An elongate element engages the first and second end portions. A lock mechanism is operatively connected to the elongate element, and is arranged for locking rotation of the lower support relative to the main support, by moving the elongate element between locked and unlocked conditions. An upper support is received by the main support at least at a front section of the main support, and is arranged to be fitted against a user's chin.

The invention is a brace that secures to a person's chest, waist and legs. The brace includes a chest frame that supports the anterior chest and and a thigh frame that supports the anterior thighs where the two frames are pivotably connected to each other. In addition, an extension spring links the torso frame and the thigh frame such that when a user is bending over, i.e. flexed or in a state of flexion, in which gravity is exerting a greater downward force on the torso, a counter-force is exerted on the person's chest, with the counter-force increasing in magnitude as the degree of flexion at the waist increases.

A spinal support, in particular a cervical or lumbar support, with adjustable curvature, has a hard shell with a convex curvature in a longitudinal direction generally conforming to a concavely curved region of a human spine. A stiff resilient conformal tongue on an inner surface of the hard outer shell and one end hinged to the hard shell and an opposite end free to move in a longitudinal guide permitting forcible deformation of the tongue to create an arch with varying degrees of curvature. A retaining mechanism permits locking of the opposite end so as to retain the tongue in a deformed arch configuration with a selected degree of curvature.

A joint actuation device for adding torque to a joint of a user includes an actuation system having an actuator and a spring. A lever is configured to couple to the user's leg and to the actuation system. The lever configured to rotate at a device joint with respect to the actuation system. A first sensor measures a position of the device joint. A second sensor measures deflection in a spring. The actuator is positioned based on the position of the device joint and deflection in the spring. The actuator is configured to deflect the spring to apply a torque the device joint. The device joint aligns with the user's joint to add a torque to the user's joint during a gait activity. The actuator disengages the spring during a non-gait activity. The lever is configured to disengage from the actuator when the device joint exceeds a predetermined angle.

Devices, systems, and methods for maintain a preselected tension between a first portion and a second portion of an orthotic brace include a controlled tension unit comprising a housing coupled to a first portion of the orthotic brace, the housing having a cavity formed therein, one or more constant-force spring mounted at or near a first end of the cavity, and a connector cable having a first end connected to an end of the one or more constant-force spring and a second end extending out of the housing through a second end of the cavity. The second end of the connector cable is configured to connect with a coupling element coupled to a second portion of the orthotic brace. In this arrangement, the controlled tension unit is configured to maintain a preselected tension between the first portion and the second portion of the orthotic brace.

A garment, such as a vest, that may enable the selective warming or cooling of various portions of the wearer's body by, for example, using repositionable thermal packets removably affixed to the vest, and may enhance the wearer's posture by, for example, using of strategically placed straps or boning.