An exoskeleton system and associated components are described herein. The exoskeleton system assists a user in lifting and/or bending to perform various operations. Components of the exoskeleton system can include a force device, a release mechanism, and a leg differential system. The force device includes a gas spring and a compression spring to store and release energy to assist a user of the exoskeleton system, the force device having a smooth force profile with no initial loading. The release mechanism disengages and re-engages the force device when actuated by a user. The leg differential system enables walking while wearing the exoskeleton system and equally loads different force devices of the exoskeleton system when a user's legs are displaced relative to one another.

A method of controlling a drive motor for a powered ankle exoskeleton is disclosed. The method includes modeling motor drive current as a linear function of desired torque and ankle angular velocity, and then controlling motor current as a function of measured torque and determined ankle angular velocity.

A gait trainer adapted for use with a treadmill and, optionally, a spinning cycle, provides greater accessibility for therapeutic and rehabilitative gait pattern training to individuals confronting injury, illness, or disability. The gait trainer is adjustable, to accommodate a wide variety of users with different stride lengths and needs.

A system for augmenting the motion of a person includes an assistance apparatus with a first attachment for connecting the assistance apparatus to a first point on the person's body, a second attachment for connecting the apparatus to a second point on the person's body, an actuator for applying force between the first and second attachment points, the force augmenting motion of a part of the body, and a set of sensors detecting reaction force on the person's body when moving in the manner that the actuator augments. A control system implements a negative feedback loop, in which the force applied by the actuator is based on a weighted sum of measurements from the sensors, and is updated continuously based on the sensor measurements.

An assistance apparatus includes a first wire and a second wire that couple an upper-body belt and a left knee belt to each other, respectively, a third wire and a fourth wire that couple the upper-body belt and a right knee belt to each other, respectively, and a motor. When assistance is stopped, the motor is configured to reduce tension of the first wire during a first stop period starting in a boundary period in a first period and ending in a start period of a second period, generate no tension in the second wire during the second period, reduce tension of the third wire during a second stop period starting in a boundary period in a third period and ending in a start period of a fourth period, and generate no tension in the fourth wire during the fourth period.

An assistance apparatus includes a first wire and a second wire that couple an upper-body belt and a left knee belt to each other on or above a front part and back part of the body of a user, respectively, a third wire and a fourth wire that couple the upper-body belt and a right knee belt to each other on or above the front part and back part of the body of the user, respectively, a motor, a left sensor on the left hand of the user, and a right sensor on the right hand of the user. When a force is applied to the left sensor and no force is applied to the right sensor, the motor makes the tension of the second wire and the third wire greater than the tension of the first wire and the fourth wire. When a force is applied to the right sensor and no force is applied to the left sensor, the motor makes the tension of the first wire and the fourth wire greater than the tension of the second wire and the third wire.

An assistance apparatus includes wires, each of which couples an upper-body belt and one of left and right knee belts to each other, and a motor. When the assistance apparatus assists a user in walking backward while carrying an object, the motor generates, in a gait phase of a left leg, a tension greater than or equal to a second threshold value in a second 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, and a tension less than the second threshold value in a first 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, and generates, in a gait phase of a right leg, a tension greater than or equal to the second threshold value in a fourth 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, and a tension less than the second threshold value in a third 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.

Provided are apparatuses for augmenting human speed, human-driven compliant mechanisms, artificial limbs to augment human movement, and the like. The apparatuses can include variable stiffness mechanisms including springs that can be configured to selectively store and subsequently release energy generated by human movement. The apparatuses can selectively release the captured energy supplied by the human to provide force and power output beyond the physical capability of the human.

Venous therapy methods and apparatus improve arterial or venous blood flow, for example in the legs. Venous therapy can reduce venous backflow and can improve arterial therapy such as that provided by intermittent pneumatic compression therapy.

A linking device for an exoskeleton structure is provided. The device an input part mounted in rotation with respect to a support, and a transmission device that when a load is applied to the input part to pivot the input part in a first direction of rotation, the transmission device transmits to a first connecting link a force to pivot the first connecting link to transfer the load to a first mechanical leg assembly and unload a second mechanical leg assembly of the exoskeleton structure, and when a load is applied to the input part to pivot the input part in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction, the transmission device transmits to a second connecting link a force to pivot the second connecting link to transfer the load to a second mechanical leg assembly and unload the first mechanical leg assembly.