A61F5/0104

GARMENT SYSTEM INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE MUSCLE OR JOINT ACTIVITY SENSOR AND AT LEAST ONE ACTUATOR RESPONSIVE TO THE SENSOR AND RELATED METHODS

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a garment system including at least one muscle or at least one joint activity sensor, and at least one actuator that operates responsive to sensing feedback from the at least one muscle or the at least one joint activity sensor to cause a flexible compression garment to selectively compress against or selectively relieve compression against at least one body part of a subject. Embodiments disclosed herein also relate to methods of using such garment systems.

MYOFASCIAL TREATMENT APPARATUS
20170203094 · 2017-07-20 ·

A treatment apparatus configured to provide electrical stimulation to a leg of a user is provided. The treatment apparatus includes an inner layer configured to contact the leg of the user and configured to couple to an electrical stimulus, a retainer fixedly connected to the inner layer, and a fabric layer coupled to the inner layer, the fabric layer configured to releasably couple to the retainer to secure the electrical stimulus against the leg of the user.

Magnetorheological medical brace
09700451 · 2017-07-11 ·

The magnetorheological (MAR) medical brace includes a flexible outer shell that fits around the anatomical area to be braced and a plurality of adjustable straps for securing the shell onto the anatomical area. The shell encases a MAR pack filled with magnetorheological fluid or gel. A plurality of magnets is attached to or encased in the shell to provide magnetic field acting on the MAR pack. The interaction of the magnetic field with the MAR pack adjustably increases or decreases the stiffness of the shell depending on the strength of the magnetic field. A control mechanism is provided for selective adjustment of the magnetic field and other functions.

COMPLIANT ELBOW BRACE CONFIGURATIONS
20170181879 · 2017-06-29 ·

One embodiment is directed to a brace for limiting motion of a joint of an appendage of that is interposed between a first appendage portion and a second appendage portion of a patient, comprising: an upper member removably coupleable to the first appendage portion, the upper member having proximal and distal ends; and a lower member removably coupleable to the second appendage portion, the lower member having proximal and distal ends; wherein the distal end of the upper member and proximal end of the lower member are coupled to form a movable joint that is substantially alignable with the joint of the patient, such that when the patient attempts to move his appendage and associated joint, motion is resisted at this joint in a nonlinear fashion.

Impact-absorbing pad, clothing furnished with same and method for preventing femoral fractures

To provide an impact-absorbing pad fully satisfying impact absorbability for preventing femoral neck fractures, wearing comfort and breathability not to cause discomfort for all-day use, a small thickness not to impair external appearance, and flexibility in a surface direction not to cause uncomfortable feeling at the time of putting on and taking off, which are required for the impact-absorbing pad used in a hip protector, clothing furnished with the impact-absorbing pad, and a method for preventing femoral fractures. A pad main body having impact absorbability includes an impact-deflecting part having a through hole or concavity with a maximum length of 80 mm or less and an area of 600 mm.sup.2 or more and 5,000 mm.sup.2 or less, and the pad main body is disposed so as to apply the impact-deflecting part onto the greater trochanter of the femur, thereby preventing femoral fractures.

Garment system including at least one muscle or joint activity sensor and at least one actuator responsive to the sensor and related methods

Embodiments described herein relate to a garment system including at least one muscle or at least one joint activity sensor, and at least one actuator that operates responsive to sensing feedback from the at least one muscle or the at least one joint activity sensor to cause a flexible compression garment to selectively compress against or selectively relieve compression against at least one body part of a subject. Embodiments disclosed herein also relate to methods of using such garment systems.

ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE FOR LIMITING THE MOVEMENT OF A JOINT ARRANGED BETWEEN A FIRST AND A SECOND BODY REGION
20170151082 · 2017-06-01 ·

An orthopedic device for limiting the movement of a joint arranged between a first and a second body region. The orthopedic device comprises at least a receptacle that can be fastened to the first body region and a pull-out body that can be fastened to the second body region and can be moved in relation to the receptacle, wherein a passage cross-section filled with a dilatant fluid is provided perpendicularly to a pull-out direction between the receptacle and the pull-out body, wherein at least one passage-limiting element is provided for changing the passage cross-section.

FRAME ASSEMBLY AND MOTION ASSISTANCE APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME

A frame assembly includes a first longitudinal member, a second longitudinal member spaced apart from the first longitudinal member, and a plurality of distance maintaining members connected between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and configured to maintain a distance between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member.

METHOD FOR PUTTING ON AN ORTHOSIS, AND ORTHOSIS

The invention relates to a method for putting on an orthosis (2) with a first dimensionally stable component (4), comprising a first magnetic element (36) and a first form-fitting element (8), and a second dimensionally stable component (6), comprising a second magnetic element (14) and a second form-fitting element (12), the method comprising the following steps: putting the first component (4) against a part of the wearer's body so it extends along the body part, positioning the second component (6) on the first component (4),
wherein a magnetic attractive force acts between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element in a first direction when the orthosis (2) is mounted, and the first form-fitting element forms a form-fitting connection with the second form-fitting element, by means of which a movement of the two components relative to each other is prevented.

CUSTOMIZED WEARABLE WITH INTEGRATED PATHWAYS AND/OR INTERCONNECTS

One embodiment relates to an orthopedic precast that, upon an application of heat of a prescribed level while the orthopedic precast is worn adjacent to a targeted body part of the patient, transitioning into an orthosis that conforms with the body part. The orthopedic precast includes a first portion and an interconnect. The first portion is formed of interwoven strands of a first thermoplastic material having a first melting temperature. These interwoven strands forming a pathway within the first portion. The interconnect is positioned within the pathway, wherein the interconnect is configured to receive power and radiate heat based on current flowing through the interconnect. Responsive to the interconnect supplying radiating heat of at least the first melting temperature, the first thermoplastic material partially melts and, upon subsequent cooling, the first portion transitions from flexible material into a rigid structure of the orthosis.