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.

A compression garment comprises an elongated stretchable sleeve (1) which is adapted to be worn over a body part and a compression part (2) connected to the elongated stretchable sleeve (1). The garment has at least one closing part (3) for fixing the compression part (2) in a stretched state. Furthermore, the compression part (2) is shaped and sized to be wrapped around the circumference of the elongated stretchable sleeve (1), wherein the compression part (2) is adapted for positioning proximate to an outer surface of the elongated stretchable sleeve (1).

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 method of donning a potentiating support for a hinge joint of a body includes positioning a garment proximate an area of a body; positioning an expandable and recoverable framework in abutment with the area of the body such that the framework spans a hinge joint of the body, the framework defining a plurality of permanent openings extending therethrough regardless of whether the support is donned; applying tension at points of the framework such that the framework is expanded and the framework is tensioned in its abutment with the area of the body, said step of applying tension being performed by pulling on one or more fastening components that are attached at one or more points to said framework; and affixing each of the fastening components to the garment while applying tension to the framework to secure the expanded framework in its forced abutment with the area of the body.

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.

According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.

A compression garment comprises an elongated stretchable sleeve (1) which is adapted to be worn over a body part and a compression part (2) connected to the elongated stretchable sleeve (1). The garment has at least one closing part (3) for fixing the compression part (2) in a stretched state. Furthermore, the compression part (2) is shaped and sized to be wrapped around the circumference of the elongated stretchable sleeve (1), wherein the compression part (2) is adapted for positioning proximate to an outer surface of the elongated stretchable sleeve (1).

A device for monitoring a treatment of posture of body parts in which a local mechanotherapeutic stimulus is applied includes an elastic material which is to be worn over the part of the body, a pressure regulating support, a pressure applicator and a pressure sensor. The support is fixed to the elastic material and passes over a region where mechanotherapeutic stimulus is to be applied. The sensor is rigidly attached to the pressure applicator and they are together received in a pocket. The sensor senses pressure and hence a stimulus applied to the part as a result of the tension in the support, the sensor being configured to output a signal indicative of the pressure applied, providing the opportunity to change the stimulus to within a given range based on the feedback from the sensor. A method for using the device is also disclosed.

In some embodiments, a body anchor for supporting an assistive device can include: a cuff to exert a compression force on a body part of a user; and one or more tensile elements having first ends and second ends. The first ends of the tensile elements can be configured to be attached to the assistive device. The second ends of the tensile elements can be arranged about the cuff to cause the compression force to vary in proportion to a load exerted by the assistive device.

A moldable portion for use with protective equipment, guards, braces, or the like for use to protect from injury and facilitate healing of the same are disclosed herein. This moldable portion includes a thermoplastic semi-crystalline propylene ethylene copolymer having a crystallinity of about 2% to about 65% that is between about 85% to about 99% of the moldable portion and a microwave susceptor that is about 1% to about 15% of the moldable portion These moldable portions may be adapted to be positioned adjacent an area of an user's anatomy it is intended to protect, and may be prepared for customization by heating to a temperature of about 60° C. to about 100° C. and shaped and configured to be affixed to a portion of the protective equipment.