A motion assistance apparatus includes a waist frame configured to support a waist of a user, and a proximal support configured to support a proximal part of the user. A pressure applied to a thigh of the user by the proximal support in a sitting state in which the user is sitting may be greater than a pressure applied to the thigh of the user by the proximal support in a standing state in which the user is standing upright.

A back-therapy apparatus for vertebral massage comprises at least one first manipulating element (743) comprising a first engagement member (744) and at least one second manipulating element (743) comprising a second engagement member (744). The first and second engagement members (744) are arranged such that, in use, they are each situated on opposite sides of a patient's vertebral column. The first engagement member (744) is operable to contact and manipulate vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes from one side of the vertebral column and the second engagement member (744) is operable to contact and manipulate the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes from the opposite side of the vertebral column. The first and second manipulating elements (743) are operable independently of each other to move the first and second engagement members (744) respectively into and out of contact with the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes thereby manipulating rotational movement of the vertebral column.

The application describes example of enhanced capability (also referred to as smart) mobility aid devices, such as rollators, wheel-chairs, walkers, crutches, canes and the like, as well as apparatuses, systems, and processes for enhancing the capabilities of mobility aid devices.

A back therapy apparatus for vertebral massage includes a plurality of manipulating assemblies. The apparatus is adjustable and arranged to engage a spine at multiple locations over an extended length at vertebral areas between a spinous process and a transverse process on either side of a spine. A drive system is adapted to drive multiple manipulating assemblies simultaneously and independently.

The present invention relates to a wearable active assisting device comprising an actuator in use to provide a limb assistance and coupled to a limb to be actively assisted via at least one force transmission element to be elongated or shortened by the actuator; and a control having an input for signals from a plurality of sensors, a signal processing stage for processing input signals from the plurality of sensors, and an output stage for outputting a motor actuation signal in accordance with the processed sensor signals; wherein the control further has a limb assistance degree selection input for selecting a degree of limb assistance; and wherein the signal processor stage is adapted to continuously model an elongation of the at least one force transmission element to be elongated or shortened corresponding to a movement or posture currently detected by the plurality of sensors to output a continuous actuator actuation signal according to a modeled elongation of the at least one force transmission element to be elongated or shortened and in response to a selected minimum degree of limb assistance.

A wearable assistive device is suggested comprising a force transmitting interconnection arrangement interconnecting in use a left limb of a user with a right limb of a user in a force transmitting manner; and a deflection arrangement guiding in use the force transmitting member along a path close to the body of a user, the path having a length dependent on the posture of the user; wherein the deflection arrangement comprises at least one elastic element engaging at one end thereof the force transmitting interconnection in between the left limb and the right limb in a manner deflecting the force transmitting interconnection from a straight line by an amount dependent on the excursion of the elastic element.

In some embodiments, a body anchor for supporting an assistive device can include: a cuff to exert a compression force on a body part of a user; and one or more tensile elements having first ends and second ends. The first ends of the tensile elements can be configured to be attached to the assistive device. The second ends of the tensile elements can be arranged about the cuff to cause the compression force to vary in proportion to a load exerted by the assistive device.

A method of using an ankle exoskeleton device is provided herein. The method includes collecting one or more biomechanical data points from an individual. The method also includes developing individualized musculoskeletal simulations based on the one or more biomechanical data points. In addition, the method includes creating predictive simulations by modeling effects of an ankle exoskeleton device on the individualized musculoskeletal simulations. The method also includes utilizing established device-user relationships with real-time measurements to adjust device control. Lastly, the method includes optimizing design parameters of the exoskeleton device based on the predictive simulations and user responses.

A motion assistance apparatus including a proximal support configured to support a proximal part of a user, a first drive link and a second drive link configured to perform translational motions with respect to the proximal support at different velocities, a support link with both ends rotatably connected to the first drive link and the second drive link, respectively, the support link having a variable length, and a distal support connected to the support link, the distal support configured to support a distal part of the user is provided.

An apparatus 1 to aid walking, the apparatus 1 comprising a base unit 3, housing a motor; and further comprising first and second horizontally orientated foot supports 6,7, mounted for back and forth parallel motion relative to the base unit 3; the foot supports 6,7 each being operably connected to the motor; a foot support comprising a plurality of planar members 5, including a base plate 41, an intermediate plate 44 and a foot plate 45 having an upper surface to receive a user's foot, the intermediate plate 44 being pivotally linked at a first end to the base plate 41 and at a second end to the foot plate.