According to some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for non-invasively detecting the force generated by a non-invasively adjustable implantable medical device and/or a change in dimension of a non-invasively adjustable implantable medical device. Some of the systems include a non-invasively adjustable implant, which includes a driven magnet, and an external adjustment device, which includes one or more driving magnets and one or more Hall effect sensors. The Hall effect sensors of the external adjustment device are configured to detect changes in the magnetic field between the driven magnet of the non-invasively adjustable implant and the driving magnet(s) of the external adjustment device. Changes in the magnetic fields may be used to calculate the force generated by and/or a change in dimension of the non-invasively adjustable implantable medical device.

A brace (101, 101A) and method (1300, 1400) of fitting a brace to a person are disclosed. The brace includes a belt assembly (102) for location around a body of a user and a strut (103) having a first end (104) configured to be secured by the belt assembly (102) and an anchoring location (105) spaced from the belt assembly (102). The brace also includes a first strap (106) for applying a force to the body of the user, a first anchor means (107) configured to retain a first part of the first strap (106) at the anchoring location (105) on the strut (103) and a second anchor means (108) configured to retain a second part of the first strap (106) at a second anchor location (109) to enable tension to be provided in the first strap.

According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.

A brace comprises a belt and removably attachable vertical strut(s). Each vertical strut can comprise one or more of a strut(s), thoracic pad(s), hip pad(s), lumbar support pad(s), chest support pad(s), de-rotation pad(s), or any other component suitable to assist or restrict movement of a wearer's body, reduce or apply a force to a wearer's body, correct the shape of a wearer's body, reduce pain, or provide support to a wearer's body. It is contemplated that each component can be removable or adjustable from a vertical strut or belt.

An orthopedic brace featuring a posterior bracing system. The posterior bracing system comprises (i) a posterior panel including a plurality of locking slots and (ii) a first extension panel removably coupled to the posterior panel. The first extension panel includes a plurality of locking protrusions corresponding to and removably coupled to the plurality of locking slots.

An orthopedic brace features a posterior bracing system coupled to an anterior bracing system. The posterior bracing system includes a first plurality of telescopic lateral panels with a first telescopic lateral panel coupled to a first belt member and a second telescopic lateral panel coupled to a second belt member. The anterior bracing system includes a second plurality of telescopic lateral panels such as a third telescopic lateral panel and a fourth telescopic lateral panel. The first telescopic lateral panel and the first belt member are positioned into a curved form to enable the first belt member to attach to the third telescopic lateral panel of the anterior bracing system while the second telescopic lateral panel and the second belt member are positioned into a curved form to enable the second belt member to attach to the fourth telescopic lateral panel of the anterior bracing system.

A lifting belt includes a lifter configured to generate a tractive force in a longitudinal direction of a spinal column by expansion, a left connector and a right connector respectively disposed on a left side and a right side of the lifter, and a central connector attachable to or detachable from the left connector and the right connector.

A system for registering operating space includes a back bracing, a computer system and a robotic arm. The back bracing includes positioning marks which can be imaged in a computer tomography (CT) image, and the back bracing is used to be worn by a patient. The computer system computes image coordinates of the positioning marks in an image space. A base of the robotic arm is connected to the back bracing in an operating space after the CT image is generated. The robotic arm contacts the positioning marks in the operating space and meanwhile the computer system obtains arm coordinates of the robotic arm in an arm space. The computer system generates conversion models among the image space, the operating space, and the robot arm space according to the image coordinates and the arm coordinates.

A lumbar support pouch for a ballistics vest comprises an elongate pouch having a first open end and a second open end. A laterally extending tab is attached to an upper side of the elongate pouch and is configured to attach to a lower end of a ballistics vest. A first medical kit is inserted into and retained by the first pocket and has a first grasping strap extending from the first medical kit for grasping by a user. A second medical kit is inserted into and retained by the second pocket and has a second grasping strap extending from the second medical kit for grasping by a user. The pouch and medical kits form a lumbar support for a ballistics vest when attached thereto.

An assistance apparatus wearable by a subject for an assistance in forward reclining movements of the torso includes an upper structure for the engagement of the subject's torso and a lower structure for the engagement of the subject's legs, pivotally connected to each other around an axis, at least one elastic device operatively interposed between the upper structure and the lower structure and at least one electric motor operatively arranged in series with the elastic device, between the upper structure and the lower structure, and actionable for dynamically controlling the extent of deformation of the elastic device.