A61F2005/0188

WRAP AND METHOD TO PROVIDE COMPRESSION, AND PROTECTION TO BODY PART OF USER
20200022585 · 2020-01-23 ·

Disclosed is a wrap which is removably attached with a body part of a user to provide compression, and protection. The wrap includes first sensing unit, second sensing unit, movement unit, adjuster unit, and a power source. The first sensing unit senses the physiological state of the user's body. The second sensing unit measures the dimension of the body part of the user. The body part is selected from at least one of: wrist, ankle, lower back, knee and/or combination thereof. The movement unit receives sensed information from first sensing unit, and second sensing unit to support an inflate mechanism and deflate mechanism to provide desired compression to the body part of the user. The adjuster unit configured with the movement unit to engage or disengage the wrap from the body part of the user. The power source which further includes a rechargeable battery powers the first sensing unit, second sensing unit, movement unit, and the adjuster unit.

SENSOR-BASED CONTROL OF ACTIVE WEARABLE SYSTEM

An active wearable system includes a one or more positioning elements configured as a torso support and/or other wearable item, one or more sensors for sensing motion, posture, or gait of a subject, and at least one of force applying elements for applying force to selected regions of a body of a subject, and feedback device and other actuators, under the control of control circuitry responsive to sensed motion, posture or gait of the subject. In an aspect, force is applied according to spatial or temporal patterns. Related devices and methods are described.

Method for controlling an artificial knee joint
10517744 · 2019-12-31 · ·

A method for controlling a damping change in an artificial knee joint of an orthosis or prosthesis, wherein the artificial knee joint has an upper part, a lower part mounted thereon such that it can pivot about a pivot axis, and a resistance unit which is secured on the upper part on an upper articulation point and on the lower part on a lower articulation point in order to provide a resistance to a bending or extending of the artificial knee joint, wherein an adjusting device is assigned to the resistance unit for changing the flexion resistance, wherein the resistance of the resistance unit is increased by an increasing knee angle starting from a knee angle threshold value.

APPENDAGE PRESSURIZATION DEVICES COMPRISING ARTIFICIAL MUSCLES

An appendage pressurization device includes an appendage strap and one or more artificial muscles disposed in the appendage strap and communicatively coupled to a controller. Each artificial muscle includes a housing comprising an electrode region and 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 comprising 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 such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region. The appendage pressurization device also includes a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to output a current pressure value to the controller and actuation of the electrode pair is based on the current pressure value.

Diagnostic support

A diagnostic support suitable to be attached to a patient includes a band suitable to be wrapped around and tightened onto a portion of the patient corresponding to an area of interest of the patient and an air space incorporated in the band and suitable to expand so that, when the band is tightened onto the portion of the patient, the air space compresses and stiffens the portion of the patient.

ANKLE FOOT ORTHOSIS

An ankle foot orthosis having a lower leg element, a foot element, and a first energy storing unit being adapted such that moving the foot element relative to the lower leg element in dorsiflexion direction from a position in which the amount of energy stored in the first energy storing unit is minimal loads the first energy storing unit with energy. The first energy storing unit is adapted such that the amount of energy stored in the first energy storing unit is increased by moving the foot element relative to the lower leg element in a plantar flexion direction from a first position in which the amount of energy stored in the first energy storing unit is minimal into a second position and moving the foot element relative to the lower leg element in dorsiflexion direction from the second position back into the first position.

Knee brace
11911307 · 2024-02-27 ·

A knee brace includes a flexible sleeve made of a flexible fabric; a memory device configured to store a reference configuration of the flexible sleeve; a first sensor configured to detect a configuration of the flexible sleeve; and a sleeve tightening mechanism configured to adjust a tightness of the flexible sleeve. A controller is configured to receive an output signal representing, or indicative of, the detected configuration from the first sensor, compare the detected configuration with the reference configuration, and control the sleeve tightening mechanism based on a result of a comparison of the detected configuration of the flexible sleeve and the reference configuration of the flexible sleeve.

Splint and method for operating splint
11903863 · 2024-02-20 · ·

A splint and a method for operating a splint are disclosed. The splint includes a plurality of plates, at least one rope, and at least one fastening drive device. The plurality of plates include a first plate. The rope is in movable connection with the plurality of plates. The fastening drive device is on the first plate, and is connected to the rope and configured to drive the rope under control, so as to allow the rope to be tightened or loosened under drive of the fastening drive device to drive the plurality of plates to move relatively close to each other or relatively away from each other.

BALANCE COMPENSATING DEVICE, BODY CENTER MEASURING APPARATUS, BALANCE COMPENSATION SYSTEM, AND BALANCE COMPENSATION METHOD
20190357838 · 2019-11-28 ·

An apparatus for determining balance compensation includes a platform, sensors and a processor. The platform is configured for a person to stand on the platform. The sensors are coupled to the platform and measure at least one of a weight and a pressure. The processor determines a balance of the person based on the measurements of the sensors.

WEARABLE ASSISTANCE DEVICES AND METHODS OF OPERATION
20190358074 · 2019-11-28 ·

Wearable assistance devices and methods of operating the same are provided. A wearable assistance device includes an upper-body interface with a front side and a rear side and a lower-body interface with a front side and a rear side. The assistance device also includes one or more elastic members, each of the elastic members mechanically coupling the upper-body interface to the lower-body interface and extending from the rear side of the upper-body interface to the rear side of the lower-body interface and along a back of the user so as to provide an assistive force parallel to the back of the user. Further, the assistance device also includes a clutch mechanism associated with each one of the elastic members, the clutch mechanism configured for selectively adjusting the assistive force provided by the one of the elastic members.