An orthotic device is provided. The orthotic device is configured to be 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.

A device for supporting at least one arm of a user, has one or more arm support elements, each of which has an arm shell for mounting on an arm. Passive actuator(s) are configured to exert a force on an arm support element by way of which an upward movement of the arm in the arm shell is supported when the device is in the mounted state. The device includes at least one counter bearing for the force to be applied, and at least one actuating element, the actuation of which allows the actuator to be moved into a first state where the actuator exerts the force on the at least one arm support element, and into a second state in which it exerts a smaller or no force on the arm support element.

A high torque active mechanism for an orthotic and/or prosthetic joint using a primary brake which can be provide by magnetorheological (MR) rotational damper incorporating and an additional friction brake mechanism driven by the braking force generated by the MR damper. This combination of MR damper and friction brake mechanism allows an increase in torque density while keeping the same level of motion control offered by the MR damper alone. The increased torque density achieved by this high torque active mechanism allows to minimize the size of the actuating system, i.e. its diameter and/or breath, while maximizing its braking torque capability. In this regard, the friction brake mechanism is advantageously positioned around the MR damper, such that the dimension of the package is minimized.

An exoskeleton device for assisting the movement of a metacarpal-phalangeal joint of a hand in a flexion/extension plane Γ of the joint, including a metacarpal support arranged integrally with a metacarpal portion of the hand, a phalangeal support having a fastening link for fastening to a proximal phalanx, a kinematical chain between the metacarpal support and the phalangeal support arranged to provide and carry out a rotation of the phalangeal support with respect to the metacarpal support.

A joint movement supporting protection device, comprising a joint protection body (1) matched with a joint in shape, and a fixing device (2) connected or contacted with the joint protection body (1) and tightly attaching the joint protection body (1) to a joint of a human body. A plurality of upper notches (11) extending downwards from top but not penetrating through bottom are formed in a portion, close to a joint movement area, of the joint protection body (1). Thus, the joint protection body (1) is divided into a plurality of joint pieces (12). A junction of the upper notch (11) and a lower edge of the joint protection body (1) serves as a rotation fulcrum (13) between adjacent joint pieces (12). When the joint bends to a limiting position, the two adjacent joint pieces (12) on two sides of the upper notch (11) contact.

Systems and methods are provided for supporting an arm of a user using a harness configured to be worn on a body of a user; and an arm support coupled to the harness configured to support an arm of the user, the arm support configured to accommodate movement of the arm while following the movement without substantially interfering with the movement of the user's arm. One or more compensation elements may be coupled to the arm support to apply an offset force to at least partially offset a gravitational force acting on the arm as the user moves and the arm support follows the movement of the user's arm, the one or more compensation elements providing a force profile that varies the offset force based on an orientation of the arm support.

Disclosed is a shoulder brace for immobilization of the arm and shoulder joint in neutral abduction/adduction. Methods of using the brace and methods of treating shoulder injuries are similarly provided.

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 noxipoint stimulating device uses light, mechanical force, and heat as a source of stimulating energy, which is configured to be applied on the Noxipoints.

A method of reducing pain and induce/enhance the stem cell growth/differentiation reaction includes identifying a pair of related Noxipoints on an identified muscle/organ and applying a chemical/electrical stimulation to the pair of Noxipoints.