Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a garment system including at least one muscle or at least one joint activity sensor, and at least one actuator that operates responsive to sensing feedback from the at least one muscle or the at least one joint activity sensor to cause a flexible compression garment to selectively compress against or selectively relieve compression against at least one body part of a subject. Embodiments disclosed herein also relate to methods of using such garment systems.

Exosuit systems can operate in conjunction with an accessory device or other remote device that is designed to control and provide information related to the exosuit system. The accessory device can be used by a user to engage in manual control or symbiosis control of the exosuit system. The accessory device can display graphical elements such as buttons that succinctly convey operational status of various exosuit components and assistance operations.

A method for determining a mechanical load to which a component was exposed. The component comprises at least one sensor that is arranged in a force flow of the mechanical load and that emits a measurement signal in the event of a mechanical load. The method comprises providing an increase function, which establishes a relationship between the measurement signal and the mechanical load for an increasing load, providing a decrease function, which establishes a relationship between the measurement signal and the mechanical load for a decreasing load, identifying reversal points at which a change in the measurement signal changes a sign, saving the measurement value and the corresponding increase functional value or decrease functional value at the reversal point, providing a new increase function or a new decrease function by displacing and compressing the increase function or the decrease function, wherein the compression is executed with regards to both the measurement signal and the mechanical load, and determining the mechanical load at least also using the saved values.

A joint device of an orthosis or prosthesis or for an orthosis or prosthesis with an upper part, a lower part, a joint that comprises a joint axis, about which the upper part is mounted such that it can be swivelled relative to the lower part, and an actuator, which is designed to influence a swivelling of the upper part relative to the lower part. The actuator is mounted at an upper part fixing point on the upper part and at a lower part fixing point on the lower part. At least two joints are arranged between the upper part fixing point and the lower part fixing point, wherein the joints enable a swivelling of the actuator relative to the upper part fixing point and the lower part fixing point, and the joint each form at least one joint axis, at least one of which is not oriented parallel to the joint axis.

In one embodiment, the orthotic device can include a powered hand portion, a switching element, and a controller. The wearer can interact with the switching element to generate input signals for adjusting an operation of the powered hand portion. The controller can receive the input signals and generate control signals to accordingly adjust the operation of the powered hand portion. In some embodiments, a powered hand portion can be comprised of a plurality of linkages and at least one powered actuator to assist with an opening and closing of the hand portion. The plurality of linkages can be operated by at least one electric motor with quick-connect elements to link onto fingers of a user. In some embodiments, an electrically-actuated clutch mechanism can be affixed to an upper arm section and a lower arm section of an orthotic device. The clutch mechanism can be configured into different positions.

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.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a knee joint brace and a knee joint supporting method using the same. The knee joint brace includes: a support frame including two support stands, the two support stands being arranged in parallel with and spaced from each other; at least one adjusting band connected to the support frame; a rotating dual-disc disposed on each of the two support stands, each of the two support stands being capable of bending about the rotating dual-disc; and a supporting band disposed at one end of the support frame and configured to support the support frame in an extending direction of the support stand.

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.

An orthopedic joint device having a lower leg part, a foot part that is arranged on the lower leg part about a swivel axis such that it can be swivelled, at least a first energy store, and a coupling element. The coupling element can be brought into a coupling position, in which a swivelling of the foot part relative to the lower leg part about the swivel axis in a plantar flexion direction leads to an increase in the amount of energy stored in the first energy store, and a de-coupling position. The orthopedic joint device also has at least one release element, which can be brought into a release position and a locked position. The energy stored in the first energy store can be released by bringing the release element into the release position.