A walking assistance device and method for providing an assist torque to an ankle of a user is provided. To provide an assist torque to an ankle of a user, the walking assistance device generates a leg image by capturing a second leg using a camera attached to a first leg, determines a gait state of the second leg based on the leg image, determines an assist torque value output to the first leg based on the gait state of the second leg, and controls a driving device such that the assist torque value is output to the first leg.

A method and apparatus for affecting wellness in a person's body are provided. More particularly, the apparatus for affecting wellness comprises one, or even two, cylindrical rods comprising minerals and other materials defined, in some embodiments, by high specific heat and low conductivity so that the rods are able transfer heat to a person's body relatively slowly. Methods are disclosed which direct particular applications of such rods, or wands, on the body in order to locally stimulate muscles and circulation to relieve and/or treat various conditions.

In one instance, a recovery system to assist an athlete with recovery is presented that includes a battery-operated, flexible wrap that applies heat and optionally pneumatic pressure while utilizing both conductive and radiant heat in varying proportions according to a desired pattern. Optionally, at least one pneumatic bladder on the flexible wrap applies the pneumatic pressure to the user. The recovery system has a control unit that ramps the temperature applied before leveling at a target temperature. Other systems and devices are presented.

A walking training apparatus includes: a treadmill; a walking assistance apparatus configured to be mounted on a leg part of a user and assist the user's walking; a first pulling means for pulling at least one of the walking assistance apparatus and the leg part of the user upward and frontward; a second pulling means for pulling at least one of the walking assistance apparatus and the leg part of the user upward and rearward; and control means for controlling, while the treadmill is not being operated, pulling forces of the first pulling means and the second pulling means in such a way that the direction of a resultant pulling force, which is a resultant force of the pulling force of the first pulling means and the pulling force of the second pulling means, is changed rearward compared to a case in which the treadmill is being operated.

A rise action assistance device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is provided with: a myoelectric potential acquirer that acquires a myoelectric value of a sitting user's tibialis anterior muscle, and a myoelectric value of the sitting user's vastus lateralis muscle or a myoelectric value of the sitting user's vastus medialis muscle; an angle acquirer that acquires a bend angle of the sitting user's upper body; a detector circuit that detects a start of a rise action by the user, based on the myoelectric value of the user's tibialis anterior muscle, the myoelectric value of the user's vastus lateralis muscle or the myoelectric value of the user's vastus medialis muscle, and the bend angle of the user's upper body; and an assistor that starts assistance of the rise action after the start of the rise action is detected.

A garment for providing circulatory-related disorder therapy includes a skin contacting layer, a backing layer, and a coupling. The backing layer is coupled to the skin contacting layer such that the skin contacting layer and the backing layer form a plurality of macro-chambers. A first one of the plurality of macro-chambers is partitioned into a plurality of micro-chambers. Each of the plurality of micro-chambers is in direct fluid communication with at least one other of the plurality of micro-chambers. The coupling is coupled to the backing layer and is configured to supply pressurized air directly into the first macro-chamber such that the pressurized air is delivered to a first one of the plurality of micro-chambers of the first macro-chamber.

A method of operating a modular exoskeleton system, the method comprising: monitoring for one or more actuator units being operably coupled to or removed from the modular exoskeleton system, the modular exoskeleton system comprising at least a first actuator unit configured to be operably coupled and removed from the modular exoskeleton system; determining that the first actuator unit has been operably coupled to the modular exoskeleton system; determining the first actuator unit has been associated with a first body portion of the user; determining a first new operating configuration based at least in part on the determination that the first actuator unit has been operably coupled to the modular exoskeleton system and the determination that the first actuator unit has been associated with the first body portion of the user; and setting the first new operating configuration for the modular exoskeleton system.

A robotic joint includes a first link, a middle link, a torque generator, a second link, and a locking mechanism. Different ends of the middle link are rotatably coupled to the first link and the second link. The torque generator is coupled to the first link and the middle link and is configured to produce a torque between these links. The locking mechanism is switchable between a locking state and an unlocking state. In the unlocking state, the locking mechanism allows free rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the first and second rotation directions. In the locking state, the locking mechanism is configured to impede rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the first rotation direction and to allow rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the second rotation direction opposite of the first rotation direction.

Systems, methods, and apparatus provide artificial knees. Artificial knees include a thigh link configured to move in unison with a thigh of the person, a shank link configured to be rotatably coupled to the thigh link, and a compression spring rotatably coupled to the thigh link and coupled to a second end of shank link with a second end of the compression spring. During a first range of motion, the compression spring is configured to provide an extension torque between the thigh link and the shank link causing the artificial knee to resist flexion. After the first range of motion, the compression spring is configured to provide a flexion torque between the thigh link and the shank link encouraging the artificial knee to flex resulting in toe clearance during the swing phase. During the swing phase, the compression spring provides no torque between the thigh link and the shank link.

A treatment sleeve system which helps to both prevent and treat chaffing, callouses, and pressure sores on or around dormant joints. The treatment sleeve system generally includes a sleeve which is worn around a limb to both treat and prevent complications such as pressure sores or the like. The sleeve includes a first end having a first opening, a second end having a second opening, and a channel extending between the first and second ends. The sleeve may comprise a bend portion which is adapted to be positioned over a joint. A cavity either within the sleeve or within a holder adapted to be removably connected within the sleeve stores a volume of a composition such as an antimicrobial ointment or the like. In such a manner, the composition may be applied to an affected area such as a wound or surgical site while the sleeve is worn on the limb.