A hinge for a brace comprises a tensioning element such as an inelastic cord for applying a restorative force to the hinge. A tensioning mechanism, preferably a hydraulic spring, tensions the cord as the hinge is moved from a rest position to a loaded condition. A tensioning member having a peripheral cam surface applies a tensioning force to the cord as the hinge is moved out of the rest position. The tensioning block and the anchoring block may be operatively geared together along an arc of motion so as to provide a generally symmetrical motion of the tensioning and anchoring portions relative to the gusset. When an external force is applied to move the hinge from the rest position the tension on the cord loads the spring, and when the external force is removed the spring applies a restorative force to move the hinge back to the rest position. Optionally the tensioning member may be configured to be disengaged and reengaged by an external actuator.

A robotic joint comprises a first link, a middle link, a torque generator, a second link, and a locking mechanism. Different ends of the middle link are rotatably coupled to the first link and the second link. The torque generator is coupled to the first link and the middle link and is configured to produce a torque between these links. The locking mechanism is switchable between a locking state and an unlocking state. In the unlocking state, the locking mechanism allows free rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the first and second rotation directions. In the locking state, the locking mechanism is configured to impede rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the first rotation direction and to allow rotation of the second link relative to the middle link in the second rotation direction opposite of the first rotation direction.

A temporary cast that includes an exterior shell, a lining body including an inner layer, one or more integrated pressure sensors communicatively coupled to a controller, and a plurality of artificial muscles disposed between the inner layer and the exterior shell. Each of the plurality of artificial muscles is communicatively coupled to the controller and includes a housing including an electrode region and 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, where the electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated and actuated states such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region.

A dynamically dependent blocking system for orthoses or protectors for limiting relative movements of at least two body segments consisting of at least one blocking unit having a blocking element, an extending element and the body attachment structures, and worn on the body. The central element of the blocking unit is the blocking element.

An orthosis or prosthesis system comprising at least one orthosis or prosthesis, at least one pair of electrodes for contacting the body of the user of the orthosis or prosthesis in order to capture muscle-related signals, at least one evaluation unit for muscle-related signals captured by the at least one electrode pair, at least one actuator for moving the at least one orthosis or prosthesis, and at least one control unit for controlling the at least one actuator. The at least one electrode pair is designed to capture at least a first muscle-related signal using a first measurement frequency and a second muscle-related signal using a second measurement frequency. The at least one evaluation unit evaluates a phase of the first signal and a phase of the second signal. The muscle-related signals can be bioimpedance signals. The system makes it possible to distinguish between muscle contractions and interfering signals.

In at least some aspects, the present concepts include a method for configuring an assistive flexible suit including the acts of outfitting a person with an assistive flexible suit, monitoring an output of at least one sensor of the assistive flexible suit as the person moves in a first controlled movement environment, identifying at least one predefined gait event using the output of the at least one sensor, adjusting an actuation profile of the at least one actuator and continuing to perform the acts of monitoring, identifying and adjusting until an actuation profile of the at least one actuator generates a beneficial moment about the at least one joint to promote an improvement in gait. The at least one controller is then set to implement the actuation profile.

A brace for a part of a body includes a first conductive fiber associated with a first polarity, and a second conductive fiber associated with a second polarity different from the first polarity. The second fiber is woven together with the first fiber and insulated from the first fiber. The brace also includes a selectively electrically activated cross-linking agent between the first and second fibers. The agent is constructed to cross-link in a first active mode when the first and second fibers are electrified and is constructed to not cross-link in a second inactive mode when the first and second fibers are not electrified. The brace surrounds a body part, such as a knee or neck. The agent can include an ER fluid and/or EAP. A brace system includes a selectively electrically activated brace for the part of the body.

An assistive ankle foot orthosis is described. The AFO has a tubular vertical member arranged laterally to a user's limb. The member carries a rotational bearing and a rotational element such as a pulley. The pulley is connected to a footplate. The footplate provides joint movement assistance or resistance to the user upon rotation of the pulley. The pulley is coupled to one or more springs that provide counter-rotational resistance to pulley movement, thereby storing, and then returning, rotational force during certain foot movements. The spring can include a leaf spring arranged inside the member, the stiffness of which can be manually, automatically or dynamically adjusted by movement of the device.

The disclosure features adaptive sleeves that include a sensor, an electronic processor connected to the sensor, an adjustable voltage source connected to the electronic processor, and a sleeve formed of a fabric material and including one or more deformable elements attached to or embedded within the fabric material and connected to the adjustable voltage source, where during operation of the adaptive sleeve, the electronic processor is configured to apply a force to a portion of a body of a sleeve wearer in proximity to a contracted muscle in the wearer's body by receiving an input electrical signal from the sensor, and adjusting the voltage source to apply an output electrical signal to the one or more deformable elements, the output electrical signal having a magnitude that is correlated with a magnitude of the input electrical signal.

An exoskeleton apparatus driven by a pneumatic artificial muscle with functions of upper limb assist and rehabilitation training includes an upper limb frame, a shoulder joint mechanism, and an elbow joint mechanism which are driven by utilizing a processing unit, a first angle sensing unit, a second angle sensing unit, a first proportional pressure valve, a pressure sensing unit and a pneumatic muscle device. The exoskeleton apparatus can be independently used as an upper limb exoskeleton assistive device or can be combined to form an upper limb exoskeleton rehabilitation training system to simulate the upper limb movements in daily life through the upper limb frame to assist with the movements of the wearer's upper limbs, accomplishing the rehabilitation training of each upper and lower arm joint and neurological function.