Wearable assistance devices and methods of operating and using the same are provided. A wearable assistance device includes a first body interface and a second body interface. The assistance device also includes one or more elastic members operatively coupling the first body interface to the second body interface and extending along a body segment (e.g., back, elbow, knee, etc.) of the user so as to provide an assistive force to or assistive torque about the body segment or another body segment. The assistance device further includes a clutch mechanism operatively connected to at least one of the one or more elastic members, the clutch mechanism configured to selectively adjust the assistive force or assistive torque provided by the one or more elastic members to/about the body segment or the another body segment.

An orthopedic device for supporting a lower back of a user includes a mechanical energy store, a pelvic element, an upper body element with a first force transmission element and an upper leg element with a second force transmission element The upper leg element is arranged on the pelvic element such that it can be swivelled about a first swivel axis, the upper body element is movably arranged relative to the pelvic ele-ment, the first force transmission element can be engaged and disengaged with the second force transmission element by moving the upper body element relative to the pelvic element, and the mechanical energy store can be charged and discharged by swiv-elling the upper leg element relative to the upper body element when the first force transmission element is engaged with the second force transmission element.

A body support device to support at least one part of a body when lifting and/or carrying, having at least a first body fastening element fixable above a human's hip joint, at least a second body fastening element mechanically fixable below a human's hip joint and merely on the back side at least one elastic, which mechanically connects the first and the second body fastening element on the back side. The elastic is adapted to be tensioned when a person mechanically linked to the body support device is bending down and to apply an erecting force to the person when the person is bent down. A biasing device adjusts the length of the elastic between the respective fixations on the first body fastening element and the second body fastening element and has a pivotable mounted eccentric element adapted to apply a compressive force on the elastic and a counterpressure surface.

A hand movement control apparatus that is operably coupled to the wrist and hand of a user wherein the hand movement control apparatus inhibits a range of motion to eliminate hyperextension of the fingers from an involuntary muscular movement. The present invention includes a wrist member that is circumferentially disposed around the wrist of the user. A plurality of movement restriction members extend from the wrist member to fingertip members that are mounted to the end of the fingers of the user. The movement restriction members are manufactured from an elastic material and inhibit a range of motion without application of a muscular force that must be voluntary. The movement restriction members are additionally anchored to the inner surface of the fingers utilizing ring members wherein the ring members are surroundably mounted to each finger of the user. The hand movement control apparatus is adjustable in size.

The present invention relates to a bending/stretching capability improving device worn on a human body, which reduces a load on the waist in an equivalent amount to the combination of an acting repulsive force from an elastic body and an action of a tension winch during a bending/stretching exercise or when a weight is lifted, and which accordingly reduces damage to the waist.

A brace including (i) two or more supports configured to contact body parts on opposite sides or ends of one or more joints when the brace is in use and (ii) one or more force application mechanisms that apply a controllable force to the supports in opposite directions to alleviate compression in the one or more joints is disclosed. Methods of manufacturing the brace and of alleviating compression in one or more joints using the brace are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a bending/stretching capability improving device worn on a human body, which reduces a load on the waist in an equivalent amount to the combination of an acting repulsive force from an elastic body and an action of a tension winch during a bending/stretching exercise or when a weight is lifted, and which accordingly reduces damage to the waist.

A conformable body interface is fabricated using a data set representing a three-dimensional, soft tissue body surface. The conformable body interface includes a body scaffold that is divided into two or more longitudinal segments separated by axial joints. Optionally, the body scaffold is further divided into two or more circumferentially split segments separated by circumferential joints. The axial joints are circumferentially constrained by elastic bands, tabs, or similar structures and the circumferential joints are longitudinally constrained by elastic axial tethers or similar structures. In this way, the body interfaces can accommodate swelling and bending of the body surface.

An orthopedic device, first and second struts, and a range-of-motion limiting pivot assembly connecting to the first and second struts. The pivoting assembly having an engagement member linked to a tab disposed and arranged for pulling radially outward away from a central axis of the pivoting assembly for adjusting the range of motion of the pivoting assembly.

A set of carpal tunnel syndrome relief devices is provided for treatment of a subject. The set includes several devices configured to be applied to a wrist which may have various shapes and sizes. Each device may be configured for an adhesive application to a skin area on a proximal side of a wrist over a median nerve of the subject. One device may be selected to match the profile of the skin of the subject and provide a distance from the peak of the middle portion to the underlying skin of about 3 to 6 mm—so as to achieve optimal pull of the skin above the median nerve and relief of carpal tunnel syndrome. An alternative, subject-specific design of the carpal tunnel syndrome relief device profile is also described.