A releasable gripping glove is provided having one or more flexible artificial tendons extending through a finger section of a glove body. The flexible artificial tendon is configured to maintain a structurally articulated configuration when the finger section is articulated. Each tendon includes locking teeth that engages with a releasable locking tab extending form a locking mechanism configured to engage the locking teeth when the finger section is articulated. A release mechanism is provided to engage and disengage the locking mechanism. A thumb release rod is positioned within a thumb portion and connected to the release mechanism. The articulating of the finger section releasably locks the flexible artificial tendon in the articulated position, which is releasable through relaxing of the thumb portion.

An orthopedic device comprises a body having a monolithic structure and arranged to form a closed circumference in a secured configuration, the body having a predetermined shape in an unsecured configuration. The body is formed continuously without interruption from at least one polymeric material. A method for making the orthopedic device includes providing a schematic including a model representing a body part for which the orthopedic device is intended, providing at least one array of coordinates and indicia corresponding to the coordinates proximate to the model at a plurality of locations along the model, and providing a scale set corresponding to the coordinates. The dimensions obtained from measuring the body part may be used to form a custom-shaped orthopedic device.

An Apparatus and method for distraction (stretching and/or straightening) of injured knee joints.

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 hip joint orthotic that can be used in stages. In the first stage the orthotic includes a stiff relatively brace assembly that can limit the amount of allowed flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. In the second stage the relatively stiff brace can be removed and the orthotic can be used as a soft wrap. In both stages the orthotic is configured to easily mount and retain a thermal pack in a desired position or positions. In many instances the thermal pack will be a cold pack, but in some cases a hot pack may be used as well.

A locking device including a first frame including an insert hole and a first magnetic body, a second frame including an insert recess communicating with the insert hole, and a second magnetic body disposed to face the first magnetic body with a polarity opposite to a polarity of the first magnetic body, and an insert member including a slider inserted into the insert hole and configured to slide relative to the first frame, and a third magnetic body disposed on one side of the slider is provided.

An orthopedic device includes a frame, a strap system including first and second straps connecting to the frame, and an adjustment mechanism couples to the first and second straps and simultaneously regulates tension in the first and second straps by moving the first and second straps relative to the frame. The strap system includes a length adjustment system for modifying the length of the strap.

An angle limitation system for an orthopedic brace employs a hinge assembly rotatably receiving an upper strut and a lower strut and having a hinge plate and a hinge assembly cap. An extension angle limit element is removably insertable in an anterior port between the hinge plate and hinge assembly cap. The extension angle limit element has a body with limiting surfaces adapted to engage mating faces indented in the anterior edges of the upper and lower strut. A flexion angle limit element is removably insertable in a posterior port between the hinge plate and hinge assembly cap. The flexion angle limit element has a body with limiting surfaces adapted to engage mating faces indented in the posterior edges of the upper and lower strut. Engagement mechanisms are adapted to releasably secure the flexion angle limit element in the posterior port and the engagement angle limit element in the anterior port.

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 blocking device (20) for fastening orthoses used in the orthopedic-rehabilitation sector to parts of the body of a person comprises a casing (21) housing a cable (40) wound on a reel (23) by the rotation of a knob (27) restrained to the casing (21) during the winding stage and partially releasable from the casing by pushing and/or pulling the knob, in order to operate with respect to a ratchet-type non-return system, wherein the ratchet-type non-return system consists of elastic tabs (32) which are part of the casing (21), and an inner toothed edge (31) of the knob (27). The knob (27) is restrained in a rotating direction and unrestrained in an axial direction with respect to the reel (23) by a pin (25) with a shaped head (25′), whereby the restraint between the knob (27) and the reel is achieved by a shaped axial opening (30) in the knob, which reflects the shape of the head (25′) of the pin (25), wherein maintaining the knob (27) in the gripping/release positions is ensured by the concave profiles (33) present on the shaped head (25′) of the pin (25) and convex surfaces (34) present in the opening (30) of the knob (27), thereby allowing the knob to be moved from a gripping condition with the ratchet-type non-return system in the tightening and blocking stage to a release condition in the opening stage while maintaining control of the cable (40) wound on the reel.