An orthopedic system includes a base shell forming an opening over a dorsal aspect thereof and a dorsal shell contoured to generally correspond to the opening of the base shell. The base shell has a proximal member and a distal member connected to the proximal member, each has a semi-rigid shell configuration to protect and support a lower leg, an ankle, or a foot of a user when received in the orthopedic system. A flexible toe portion is attached to a distal terminal end area of the distal member and formed of a different material than the distal member. The flexible toe portion is arranged to terminate above an upper surface of the user's toes and to flex relative to the distal member and the toes so as to reduce the likelihood of pressure points on the toes from the distal member.

An embodiment of the invention includes (a) modeling a first internal force applied to a model of a user's joint based on a first external force externally applied to the joint at a first position; (b) modeling a second internal force applied to the model based on a second external force externally applied to the joint at a second position unequal to the first position; (c) comparing the first and second modeled internal forces; and (d) stimulating the user based on the comparison. Other embodiments are described herein.

The invention relates to an anteroposterior thoracic restriction device comprising holding means intended to surround a patient's chest, a compressible fluid bag, intended to be held against the patient's sternum by said holding means, and reversible bilateral tightening means, arranged on either side of the fluid bag and capable of reversibly tightening the holding means around the patient's chest.

Configurable orthoses having a high degree of independent adjustability of various parameters are provided. In the example of a rehabilitation-evaluation ankle-foot orthosis (REAFO), these parameters may include calf band anteroposterior, height, width, sagittal tilt, coronal tilt, and mediolateral displacement adjustments; mediolateral displacement adjustments of a supramalleolar support; heel width/stirrup separation adjustment; and sagittal active joint resistance and neutral angle adjustments. Calf band mediolateral displacement adjustment may be provided by a lockable four-bar pivoting frame linkage of the REAFO. In one aspect, the configurable orthosis is used in conjunction with a plastically deformable precursor member to facilitate the design and manufacture of a definitive orthosis customized for a particular patient. In another aspect, the orthosis communicatively transmits limb shape data to either a positive shape receiver apparatus or a CAD/CAM apparatus, to facilitate design and manufacture of a definitive orthosis.

Provided herein are smart functional fabrics and therapeutic/diagnostic garments which utilize flexible wireless electronic devices to enhance functionality, for example, by measuring key therapy parameters and providing data to clinicians, and methods utilizing such devices. The provided methods are designed to avoid patient discomfort and decrease harm or irritation caused by garments which utilize bulkier, more rigid sensors. Additionally, the described devices are multiplexed to allow for sensing of multiple parameters of therapeutic interest and combinations of measured data for new clinical metrics.

The present disclosure relates to a medical compression device (1, 1) adapted to apply a compression force to a body part (L) of a human or animal. The device comprises one or more strips intended to encircle the body part. The strip comprises a tension indicator (8, 16) adapted to inform a user when a predetermined tension is achieved, the predetermined tension correlating to a predetermined pressure on the body part. The device can be used for therapy or for diagnosis.

An orthotic device for haptic terrain feedback and control includes a plate having a mechatronic unit, a bladder structure secured to the plate, the bladder structure having one or more bladder cells, and a passageway extending between the bladder cell and an environment outside the orthotic device. The orthotic device is configured to provide haptic feedback to a user by way of selective inflation and deflation of the one or more bladder cells.

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.

An exoskeleton includes two torque generators, two thigh links, and a supporting trunk rotatably coupled to the thigh links. When a wearer bends forward in the sagittal plane such that the supporting trunk extends beyond a predetermined angle A with respect to vertical, at least one of the torque generators imposes a resisting torque between the supporting trunk and a corresponding thigh link, thus imposing a force onto a wearer's trunk and thighs to aid in supporting the wearer in a bent position. The exoskeleton may include an active or passive means for actuating the generators. When the supporting trunk does not extend beyond the predetermined angle A, the torque generators do not impose resisting torques between the supporting trunk and the thigh links during the entire range of motion of the thigh links, thus enabling a wearer to walk, run and sit without constraint while in an upright position.

Systems and methods are provided for mitigating and/or preventing a hernia using a wearable device worn by a user such that an output device is positioned at a predetermined location corresponding to a target hernia mitigation site on the user's body. One or more physical parameters of the user are monitored to identify when the user is about to perform a predetermined physical activity, and the output device is activated to provide an output to mitigate a hernia or prevent a hernia from occurring at the mitigation site when the predetermined activity is performed.