In an assistance apparatus, when assisting a user in walking with an object, a motor generates, in a gait phase of a left leg, a tension less than a second threshold value in a first wire during a fifth period other than a first period during which a tension greater than or equal to a first threshold value is generated in the first wire, and a tension greater than or equal to the second threshold value in a second wire during a sixth period other than a second period during which a tension greater than or equal to the first threshold value is generated in the second wire, and generates, in a gait phase of a right leg, a tension less than the second threshold value in a third wire during a seventh period other than a third period during which a tension greater than or equal to the first threshold value is generated in the third wire, and a tension greater than or equal to the second threshold value in a fourth wire during an eighth period other than a fourth period during which a tension greater than or equal to the first threshold value is generated in the fourth wire.

In a state where a drive unit is located on a lateral side of a joint(s) of a wearer wearing clothes and a communication unit and a frame unit are fixed and retained corresponding to the wearer's first and second body sites, respectively, a driving torque of an actuator according to movements of the wearer's joint is transmitted as an assist force to the first and second body sites without giving any physical burdens or hindrances in daily life to the wearer.

In some implementations, an exosuit comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a joint coupling the proximal and distal portion. The joint enables rotation of the distal portion about an axis with respect to the proximal portion. The exosuit includes a motor coupled to the proximal portion and a transmission configured to apply force from the motor to actuate the joint. The transmission includes multiple stages of reduction, including: a first stage comprising a belt that couples the motor to a drive pulley such that rotation of the motor rotates the drive pulley; and a second stage comprising (i) a winch having a spool configured to rotate with the drive pulley, and (ii) a cord that couples the spool to the distal portion such that rotation of the spool applies a force to actuate the joint.

An electric stretching device includes a body part, a mounting part formed on the body part and on which an ankle of a user is configured to be mounted thereon, a driver provided inside the body part and driven so that the mounting part performs a predetermined operation, and a controller configured to control driving of the driver. The mounting part is configured to perform a reciprocating motion repeatedly in an axial direction of the body part within a predetermined range when the driver is driven.

A control system and method for an exoskeleton is provided. The control system utilizes the admittance control paradigm to provide a system and method for manipulating the exoskeleton using minimal force from the user. A force/torque sensor and servo motors are fitted onto a passive arm support, enabling motorized support for a user with upper extremity weaknesses. The exoskeleton may be used on any extremity. The admittance control paradigm includes an impedance control and an admittance control to allow a user with upper extremity weakness and limited independence to intuitively and with minimal force control the precise trajectory of their arms to achieve a greater degree of independence in activities of daily living. Unlike existing passive arm supports that utilize springs or rubber bands to balance the user's arm against gravity, this system provides more precise gravity compensation and minimizes the amount of force required to control the exoskeleton.

An orthosis for increasing a range of motion of an ankle is disclosed. In various embodiments, the orthosis includes a frame including a ball shell and a heel shell; a first actuator disposed on the ball shell and configured to apply a first force against a ball region of a foot, resulting in a moment being applied at the ankle; and a first rod connecting the heel shell and the ball shell, the first rod being slidably connected to at least one of the heel shell or the ball shell. In various embodiments, a second actuator is disposed on the heel shell and configured to apply a second force against a heel region of the foot. In various embodiments, a calf shell is configured to support a calf region of a leg that is connected to the ankle.

A device for applying a tensile force to a hinged joint is disclosed. The device may include a bracket having a first portion and a second portion insertable underneath a weighted object so as to restrain the device, a biasing element having a first end mounted toward a first end of the first portion and a second end arranged at an opposing second end of the first portion; and a strap removably attached to the second end of the biasing element and arranged to receive the hinged joint, wherein the biasing element applies a tensile force to the hinged joint so as to stretch the hinged joint longitudinally in response to a force exerted by the hinged joint upon receipt in the strap, and wherein the biasing element applies the tensile force to the hinged joint so as to passively stretch and relieve pressure on the ankle.

A physical stretching apparatus having: an anchor strap, wherein the anchor strap is configured to be operable for attaching the apparatus to any stationary object; an anchor joint, the anchor joint is configured to attach the anchor strap and a rope implement; an elastic looped strap configured to secure the apparatus to various points on a user; an attachment contrivance, wherein the attachment contrivance is configured to be operable for attaching the elastic looped strap to the rope implement; a rope lock that is configured to permit the rope implement to pass in one direction when pulled and restricts the rope implement from passing in an opposite or reverse direction; a release mechanism that disables this restriction; and a sliding restrainer, wherein the sliding restrainer is configured to be operable for adjusting a size of the looped strap.

Disclosed herein is a mechanical joint for an exoskeleton ankle. The mechanical joint includes a first connector (e.g., to attach to a foot), a second connector (e.g., to attach to a leg), a stack of at least partially nested cones between the first connector and the second connector (e.g., at an outstep of the foot), and a strand extending through the second connector and the cone stack. The second connector is configured to freely translate away from the first connector and freely tilt relative to the first connector. Similarly, the second cone is configured to freely translate away from the first cone along the strand and freely tilt relative to the first cone. Accordingly, the mechanical joint provides vertical support (e.g., of an exoskeleton structure) while minimizing angular resistance (e.g., about an ankle joint).

Systems and methods for providing a customized configuration for a controller of an exoskeleton device. A device can receive, via a user interface, feedback from a user indicative of a performance of the user during a movement event. The device can determine characteristics of the user for performing the movement event using a first exoskeleton boot and a second exoskeleton boot and identify properties of a route for the movement event. The device can determine using the characteristics of the user, the feedback and the properties of the route, control parameters for the first exoskeleton boot and the second exoskeleton boot to execute the movement event. The device can apply the control parameters to the first exoskeleton boot and the second exoskeleton boot for the user to operate the first exoskeleton boot and the second exoskeleton boot during the movement event.