Embodiments of the invention are directed to devices and methods for providing extension and flexion assistance about a joint of a user. In some cases, a device may manipulate an arm of a user, thereby providing extension or flexion assistance to the arm about an elbow. In other cases, a device may manipulate a hand of a user to provide palmar flexion or dorsiflexion assistance about a wrist of the user.

A powered orthotic device for use with a limb having at least two joints includes at least two brace sub-assemblies. The first brace sub-assembly includes a first powered actuator assembly that receives a first sensor signal from a sensor selected from a group consisting of an electromyographic sensor, an inertial measurement unit, and combinations thereof. The first powered actuator assembly applies a first force for driving sections positioned with respect to a first joint to move relative to one another. The second brace sub-assembly includes a second powered actuator assembly that is configured to receive a second sensor signal from a sensor selected from a group consisting of an electromyographic sensor, an inertial measurement unit, and combinations thereof. The second powered actuator assembly applies a second force for driving sections positioned with respect to a second joint to move relative to one another. The first force and the second force are based on the first sensor signal or the second sensor signal.

Dynamic arm brace assemblies and methods of use are provided herein. An example device includes a torso connection member securable to a torso of a patient, a forearm support member that couples with at least a forearm of an patient, the forearm support member couples with the torso connection member so as to fix an elbow of the patient proximate the torso, the forearm support member being pivotally coupled to the torso connection member to allow for an angle between the forearm support member and a coronal plane of the patient, and a dynamic tensioning assembly that externally rotates the forearm support member and selectively sets the angle so as to stretch a shoulder capsule (capsule and adjacent tissue(s)) affected with adhesive capsulitis, reducing the adhesive capsulitis.

A hand orthosis for bending and/or stretching at least one finger of a patient's hand, comprising a force-introducing device fastened to a splint, which is coupled with at least one finger segment paired with the finger of the patient's hand, wherein the at least one finger segment comprises a plurality of modular members interconnected in an articulated manner. The modular members each have at least one bayonet link on a first front side and at least one bayonet hook, corresponding to the bayonet link, on a second front side for the formation of a bayonet connection between adjacent modular members providing a bayonet joint. In addition, the invention relates to a modular member for using in a hand orthosis and a method of producing a hand orthosis.

An artificial knee that has first and second knee components connected together for rotation between a first, upright position and a second position where one knee component is positioned at an angle to the other, an alignment mechanism associated with the first and second knee components to assure rotation in a vertical plane from the first position to the second position, and a biasing member. One knee component includes an extension member located in a central location, while the other includes a centrally located slot that receives the extension member and allows rotation only in a vertical plane. The biasing member normally holds the knee components in the first position, such that rotation of the first knee component away from the second knee component stretches or elongates the biasing member to provide a force that urges the knee components to move back to the first position.

An orthotic device is provided. The orthotic device is worn on an appendage of a user of a fastener installation tool, and is configurable between a relaxed state and a rigid state. The orthotic device includes at least one activation component that is responsive to an activation signal output by a controller in communication with the fastener installation tool. The activation component changes the orthotic device from the relaxed state to the rigid state in response to the controller detecting a resistive force at the fastener installation tool during installation of a fastener.

The invention relates to a device for supporting at least one arm (4) of a user (2), wherein: the device has at least one arm-supporting element (6) comprising an arm shell (8) for placing on the arm (4), at least one passive actuator which is configured to apply a force to the at least one arm-supporting element (6), and at least one counter bearing for the force to be applied, which counter bearing has at least one force transmission element (10) and a counter bearing element (14); the arm-supporting element (6) is connected to the force transmission element (10) via an articulation so as to be pivotable about at least one pivot axis; the device additionally has at least one restraining element (18) which limits a movement of the arm shell (8) along the arm (4) towards the hand when the device is worn, but does not affect a movement of the arm shell (8) in the opposite direction; and the at least one restraining element (18) is designed to be flexible but inelastic, and/or has at least one portion which extends in an axillary manner.

A combined structure of a wearable apparatus includes: a torso fastening part fixedly fastened to a wearer's torso; a fixed link extending from the torso fastening part to a position above a wearer's shoulder; a first link and a second link being respectively coupled to the fixed link to be laterally rotatable, and crossing each other while being vertically spaced apart from each other; a rotatable part disposed at a position above the wearer's shoulder, and coupled to the first link and the second link to be laterally rotatable; a connecting part coupled to the rotatable part; and an upper arm module coupled to be rotatable upward or downward about the connecting part while an end thereof is coupled to the connecting part at a position corresponding to an upper end portion of a wearer's upper arm.

A thumb protector is provided which is engageable with a cast formed upon the hand of a patient. A body of the thumb protector has a ring portion defining an opening for a thumb of a patient wearing the cast. A surrounding portion is positionable to a sandwiched engagement between fabric wrapped around the hand and forearm of the patient and the arm and hand. An engagement point of the ring portion to the surrounding portion forms an anchor for the wrapped fabric to prevent slippage thereof once the cast is formed.