An integrated functional electrical stimulation (FES) system includes a component of a mobility assistance device, and an FES system mounted within the component. The FES system includes an FES stimulator that is embedded within the component, and a plurality of FES jacks that are electrically connected to the FES stimulator and are located on the component. The FES jacks are configured to receive a plurality of FES electrodes, and an electrical stimulation output from the FES stimulator is conducted through the FES jacks to the FES electrodes. In a wireless embodiment, the FES stimulator is configured to wirelessly transmit a control signal for applying an electrical stimulation output to the plurality of FES electrodes, and the FES jacks are eliminated. The FES stimulator may be embedded within a back portion of the hip component of an exoskeleton device, and in the wired embodiment the FES jacks are located on wing portions of the hip component.

A gait disorder support apparatus and gait disorder support method capable of detecting an onset sign of a gait disorder associated with motor symptoms in advance and performing motion assist are proposed. The onset sign of the gait disorder associated with the motor symptoms of a wearer is detected based on the correlation between a gait cycle and a reduction ratio of the gait cycle as compared to immediately preceding gait; and when the onset sign of the gait disorder is detected, a drive unit is controlled so that the drive unit applies assist power to a knee joint of the wearer; and on the other hand, when the onset sign of the gait disorder is not detected, the drive unit is controlled so that driving torque by the drive unit does not hinder the wearer's gait motion.

In at least one aspect, there is provided a system for generating force about one or more joints including a soft exosuit having a plurality of anchor elements and at least one connection element disposed between the plurality of anchor elements. The system also includes at least one sensor to determine a force the at least one connection element or at least one of the plurality of anchor elements and to output signals relating to the force, at least one actuator configured to change a tension in the soft exosuit and at least one controller configured to receive the signals output from the at least one sensor and actuate the at least one actuator responsive to the received signals.

A wearable passive exoskeleton device for sit-to-stand and/or stand-to-sit transfer includes a leg exoskeleton frame configured to be worn at a user's leg and a lever arm rotatably coupled to the leg exoskeleton frame so as to provide a handle for the user to move between a sitting position and a standing position (or between a kneeling position and a standing position). The lever arm is rotatable with respect to the leg exoskeleton frame between a stowed position and a deployed position. The lever arm may be a unidirectional lever arm configured to rotate only in a first rotational direction with respect to the leg exoskeleton frame such that a pushing or pulling force exerted in a second rotational direction transmits an assisting force to the user to assist in a sit-to-stand and/or stand-to-sit movement.

An ankle-less walking assistant apparatus includes: a body supporting the back of a wearer; left and right hip joint-drivers extending from both sides of the body; left and right thigh links having first ends connected to the left and right hip joint-drivers, respectively; left and right knee-drivers connected to second ends of the left and right thigh links, respectively; left and right calf links having first ends connected to the left and right knee-drivers, respectively; and ground-contact feet fixed to second ends of the left and right calf links, respectively.

An integrated functional electrical stimulation (FES) system includes a component of a mobility assistance device, and an FES system mounted within the component. The FES system includes an FES stimulator that is embedded within the component, and a plurality of FES jacks that are electrically connected to the FES stimulator and are located on the component. The FES jacks are configured to receive a plurality of FES electrodes, and an electrical stimulation output from the FES stimulator is conducted through the FES jacks to the FES electrodes. In a wireless embodiment, the FES stimulator is configured to wirelessly transmit a control signal for applying an electrical stimulation output to the plurality of FES electrodes, and the FES jacks are eliminated. The FES stimulator may be embedded within a back portion of the hip component of an exoskeleton device, and in the wired embodiment the FES jacks are located on wing portions of the hip component.

Lower-limb exoskeletons used to improve free-living mobility for individuals with neuromuscular impairment must be controlled to prescribe assistance that adapts to the diverse locomotor conditions encountered during daily life, including walking at different speeds and across varied terrain. This system employs an ankle exoskeleton control strategy that instantly and appropriately adjusts assistance to the changing biomechanical demand during variable walking. Specifically, this system utilizes a proportional joint-moment control strategy that prescribes assistance as a function of the instantaneous estimate of the ankle joint moment.

An enhanced actuator assembly, such as for use in driving a joint member of a wearable robotic device, is characterized by electrical isolation of the motor from the transmission system output. An actuator assembly includes a motor and a transmission system that provides a speed reduction of a motor speed to an output speed. The transmission system includes a non-conductive material layer that electrically isolates the motor from an output of the transmission system. The transmission system may be a two-stage transmission system. A first stage of speed reduction of the transmission system may include a first rotating member, such as a first helical gear, attached to the output shaft of the motor that transmits power to a second rotating member, such as a second helical gear. The second rotating member has a diameter larger than a diameter of the first rotating member to form the first stage of speed reduction, and the non-conductive material layer is part of the second rotating member.

Disclosed herein is a brace for regeneration of tissue in a knee comprising a sleeve and a first strut; where the first strut comprises an upper portion comprising a first jig; where the first jig comprises a slot for hosting a first strap that is in contact with the sleeve; a central portion that comprises a central strut that is in fluid communication with an actuator located on a first side of the knee that imposes a force on the knee; where the force is inclined at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the first strut; and a lower portion that comprises a second jig; where the second jig comprises a slot for hosting a second strap that contacts the sleeve at an opposite end relative to a position that the first strap contacts the sleeve.

A supporter for a wearable exercise apparatus may include a main body; a pair of main frames connected to the main body; a pair of straps connected to the pair of main frames, respectively; and a bistable spring which is provided inside each of the pair of the straps and maintained in one of two stable states by a restoring force. The two stable states include a first stable state in which the bistable spring has a shape extending straight along the longitudinal direction and a second stable state in which the bistable spring has a shape that is bent once. The shape of the strap may be determined according to the shape of the bistable spring.