Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a soft robotic device for assisting hemiparetic patients. In embodiments, the soft robotic device includes an inflatable actuator capable of assisting hemiparetic patients with their gait cycle via application of a force on the gluteus muscle.

An inflatable brace. The inflatable brace including a flexible variably inflatable membrane elongated in a first direction and a second direction, the flexible variably inflatable membrane being fastenable around an object and inflatable to provide particular structural support to the object and an inflatable channel disposed between a first layer of the variably inflatable membrane and a second layer of the variably inflatable membrane, the inflatable channel comprising a predetermined arrangement of segregated inflatable sub-channels that are segregated by a plurality of dividers, the arrangement of segregated inflatable sub-channels, when inflated, providing the particular structural support to the object.

The solution to protecting the human knee from external forces is to surround the knee with a brace that includes adjustable air bladders to absorb external forces before the external forces pass into the knee and cause internal knee injury. Such a brace includes a pair of struts that are bifurcated by hinges, the adjustable air bladders placed between the knee and the hinges.

A dynamic support system includes a control system for controlling inflation and deflation of at least one actuator having an inlet connectable to the a control unit of the dynamic support system. The control unit may be in communication with a sensor and may control inflation and deflation of the at least one actuator in response to information provided by the sensor.

Systems, methods, and devices are described for providing a brace having an inflation control. The control directs fluid flow from an inflation component to one or more inflatable cells of the brace. The inflatable cells are independently inflated and deflated by the inflation component through the control. The control allows a user to create a fluid path between the inflation component and one of the inflatable cells by positioning the control in an orientation corresponding to the desired inflatable cells. Each inflatable cell is independently inflated and deflated in various orientations of the control.

An appendage pressurization device includes an appendage strap and one or more artificial muscles communicatively coupled to a controller. Each artificial muscle includes a housing having an electrode region, an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing, wherein the electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state. Actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region. A pressure sensor is communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the pressure sensor outputs a current pressure value to the controller and actuation of the electrode pair is based on the current pressure value.

A compliance assembly includes a compliance strap arranged to engage and extend around the exterior of an orthopedic device, and a compliance clasp attached to the compliance strap. The compliance clasp includes a base member, a door member, and a locking system. The door member is pivotally connected to the base member and is movable between an open position and a closed position in which the door member is rotated toward the base member and locks the compliance strap between the base and door members. The locking system is arranged to irreversibly lock the door member in the closed position.

Systems, methods, and devices are described for providing a brace having an inflation control. The control directs fluid flow from an inflation component to one or more inflatable cells of the brace. The inflatable cells are independently inflated and deflated by the inflation component through the control. The control allows a user to create a fluid path between the inflation component and one of the inflatable cells by positioning the control in an orientation corresponding to the desired inflatable cells. Each inflatable cell is independently inflated and deflated in various orientations of the control.

A garment worn on the upper body is provided with a back support system that can be selectively actuated as needed, and otherwise remains relatively unobtrusive when not actuated. The back support system includes a selectively inflatable and deflatable air bladder positioned at a desired location on a rear part of the garment opposite a portion of the wearer's back that needs support. Preferably, the air bladder is disposed within a pocket or compartment, preferably defined on an interior side of the garment, thereby leaving the exterior of the garment relatively unaltered in a visual sense. In a particular example, the air bladder of the present invention has a physical configuration designed to support specific portions of the spinal column as well as adjoining musculature.

The present invention relates to a leg correcting apparatus and, more particularly, to a leg correcting apparatus capable of correcting leg curvature such as genu varum (bow legs) or genu valgum (knock knees) caused by tibial lateral torsion.