Patent classifications
A61F2005/0179
ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE
An orthopedic device, first and second struts, and a range-of-motion limiting pivot assembly connecting to the first and second struts. The pivoting assembly having an engagement member linked to a tab disposed and arranged for pulling radially outward away from a central axis of the pivoting assembly for adjusting the range of motion of the pivoting assembly.
Dynamic correction splint
The invention relates to a dynamic correction splint (1) with two splint parts (5, 6) connected to each other via a joint (2). Spring bases (25, 26) of a spring device (27) are each coupled to a splint part (5, 6) in such a way that pivoting the splint parts (5, 6) leads to an altered biasing of the spring device (27). The spring device (27) exerts a correction moment onto the splint parts (5, 6) acting in the direction of a correction position of the splint parts (5, 6). The spring device (27) is configured and coupled to the splint parts (5, 6) in such a way that the absolute value of the correction moment increases as the correction position of the splint parts (5, 6) is approached. It is possible that a switching mechanism (40) is present. The switching mechanism (40) is actuated in a motion-controlled way by the pivoting of the splint parts (5, 6) and at its actuation changes the coupling of the splint parts (5, 6) with the spring device (27).
Trunk supporting exoskeleton and method of use
A trunk supporting exoskeleton comprises: a supporting trunk; thigh links configured to move in unison with a person's thighs; and first and second torque generators located on both left and right halves of the person substantially close to the person's hip. The torque generators couple the supporting trunk to the thigh links, and generate torque between the thigh links and the supporting trunk. When the person bends forward such that a predetermined portion of the supporting trunk passes beyond a predetermined angle from vertical, a torque generator(s) imposes a resisting torque between the supporting trunk and the thigh link(s), causing the supporting trunk to impose a force against the person's trunk, and the thigh link(s) to impose a force onto the person's thigh. When the predetermined portion does not pass beyond the predetermined angle, the torque generators impose no resisting torques between said supporting trunk and respective thigh links.
Adaptive arm support systems and methods for use
Systems and methods are provided for supporting an arm of a user using a harness configured to be worn on a body of a user; and an arm support coupled to the harness configured to support an arm of the user, the arm support configured to accommodate movement of the arm while following the movement without substantially interfering with the movement of the user's arm. One or more compensation elements may be coupled to the arm support to apply an offset force to at least partially offset a gravitational force acting on the arm as the user moves and the arm support follows the movement of the user's arm, the one or more compensation elements providing a force profile that varies the offset force based on an orientation of the arm support.
Orthotic Shoulder Support
An orthotic support comprises a shoulder section for encapsulating a first shoulder of a wearer, a glove section for conforming to at least a portion of the wearer's hand, and a sleeve section for conforming to the wearer's arm, the sleeve section connecting the shoulder section to the glove section. A resilient reinforcement extends from the glove section to the shoulder section, and at least a portion of the reinforcement extends in a spiral around the sleeve section, so that the reinforcement is configured to apply a rotational force to the wearer's arm, when worn, to urge a portion of the wearer's arm to rotate in a predetermined direction. The orthotic support may be usable to treat or prevent shoulder dislocation or subluxation, arm over-pronation or over-supination, wrist flexion or elbow flexion. An orthotic support may comprise a reinforcement with a first branch extending over an anterior portion of the sleeve section, and a second branch extending over a posterior portion of the sleeve section, so that the reinforcement is configured to urge the wearer's upper arm towards a rest position.
Orthotic Joint Devices, Joint Device Components, and Methods
Various orthotic joint devices, components, and methods are provided. These include orthotic joint alignment devices for adjusting a neutral or fixed angle of an orthotic joint device independently of other parameters, orthotic joint devices providing staged resistance through staged recruitment of separate springs or initiation of staged spring-rate behavior of a single spring retained in a joint body, adapters for converting non-staged resistance orthotic joint devices into orthotic joint devices, and low-noise orthotic joint devices with intermittent normal force-transmitting contact associated with resistive or assistive forces provided by the devices, and methods of using the devices and components.
Device for supporting at least one arm of a user and for supporting at least one upper arm
A device for supporting at least one arm of a user, has one or more arm support elements, each of which has an arm shell for mounting on an arm. Passive actuator(s) are configured to exert a force on an arm support element by way of which an upward movement of the arm in the arm shell is supported when the device is in the mounted state. The device includes at least one counter bearing for the force to be applied, and at least one actuating element, the actuation of which allows the actuator to be moved into a first state where the actuator exerts the force on the at least one arm support element, and into a second state in which it exerts a smaller or no force on the arm support element.
JOINT FOR AN ANKLE ORTHOSIS
The invention relates to a joint for an orthopedic device, wherein the joint includes a first element with at least one end stop element and a second element which is mounted on the first element such that it can be swivelled and has at least one contact surface that can be brought into contact with the at least one end stop element by swivelling the second element relative to the first element, wherein the at least one end stop element then counters a further swivelling of the second element relative to the first element with a force, wherein at least one contact element is fixed on the second element such that it can be detached, said contact element having at least one contact surface.
High torque active mechanism for orthotic and/or prosthetic devices
A high torque active mechanism for an orthotic and/or prosthetic joint using a primary brake which can be provide by magnetorheological (MR) rotational damper incorporating and an additional friction brake mechanism driven by the braking force generated by the MR damper. This combination of MR damper and friction brake mechanism allows an increase in torque density while keeping the same level of motion control offered by the MR damper alone. The increased torque density achieved by this high torque active mechanism allows to minimize the size of the actuating system, i.e. its diameter and/or breath, while maximizing its braking torque capability. In this regard, the friction brake mechanism is advantageously positioned around the MR damper, such that the dimension of the package is minimized.
ARM SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Systems and methods are provided for supporting an arm of a user using a harness configured to be worn on a body of a user; and an arm support coupled to the harness configured to support an arm of the user, the arm support configured to accommodate movement of the arm while following the movement without substantially interfering with the movement of the user's arm. One or more compensation elements may be coupled to the arm support to apply an offset force to at least partially offset a gravitational force acting on the arm as the user moves and the arm support follows the movement of the user's arm, the one or more compensation elements providing a force profile that varies the offset force based on an orientation of the arm support.