A human interface device is configured to be coupled to a trunk of a person and comprises a frame, a fabric coupled to said frame configurable to be under tensile forces, and a belt configured to be coupled to two side edges of said frame wherein when said belt is worn by said person, an area of said fabric will be pushed against the person's lower back conforming to the shape of the lower back of said person. In operation when said human interface device is worn by said person, the weight of any load coupled to or supported by said frame will be partially supported by the friction force between the area of said fabric which is pushed against the person's lower back, and the person's lower back allowing said person to carry said load.

A method for controlling an ambulatory exoskeleton (1) linked to a user (100), comprising the following steps: —measuring only the vertical component (Z.sub.Ng, Z.sub.Nd) of the pressure (R.sub.d, R.sub.g) under each foot (123, 133) of the user (1); —controlling actuators (40, 41, 42, 43) such that the vertical component (Z.sub.Ed, Z.sub.Eg) of the resultant of the balancing forces (R.sub.Eg, R.sub.Ed) applied to the exoskeleton (1) and exerted by each foot (23, 33) of the exoskeleton (1) on the ground is a function of the vertical component (Z.sub.Ng, Z.sub.Nd) of the pressure (R.sub.d, R.sub.g) measured under the corresponding foot (123, 133) of the user (100).

A human interface device is configured to be coupled to a trunk of a person and comprises a frame, a fabric coupled to said frame configurable to be under tensile forces, and a belt configured to be coupled to two side edges of said frame wherein when said belt is worn by said person, an area of said fabric will be pushed against the person’s lower back conforming to the shape of the lower back of said person. In operation when said human interface device is worn by said person, the weight of any load coupled to or supported by said frame will be partially supported by the friction force between the area of said fabric which is pushed against the person’s lower back, and the person’s lower back allowing said person to carry said load.

A fall prevention device configured to be coupled to a person and comprising a mechanical torso configured to be coupled to the person's torso and a mechanical structure configurable to be coupled to the mechanical torso from its first end. The mechanical structure and mechanical torso resist forces at least along one direction to maintain their posture relative to each other. In operation the second end of the mechanical structure is positioned behind the person and substantially close to the ground. When the second end of the mechanical structure contacts the ground, contact points of legs of the person on the ground and contact points of the second end of the mechanical structure outline a multi-sided polygon on the ground. If the vertical projection of the center of gravity of the person to the ground intersects the ground within the multi-sided polygon, the person and fall prevention device remain stable.

A patient care system for treating a patient is provided. The patient care system includes a patient transport apparatus, a chest compression system configured to provide automatic chest compressions to a patient, and a retainer for securing the chest compression system to the patient transport apparatus. The patient transport apparatus includes a base, an intermediate frame arranged for movement relative to the base, and a patient support deck which defines a patient support surface. The chest compression system includes a driver having a driver body movably supporting a plunger, and a driver frame to support the driver adjacent to the chest of the patient. The retainer includes a collar releasably engageable with the chest compression system, and a brace including a retainer mount and a retainer frame. The brace is arranged to brace the chest compression system rigidly against the intermediate frame of the patient transport apparatus.

A patient care system for treating a patient is provided. The patient care system includes a patient transport apparatus, a chest compression system configured to provide automatic chest compressions to a patient, and a retainer for securing the chest compression system to the patient. The patient transport apparatus includes a base, an intermediate frame arranged for movement relative to the base, and a patient support deck which defines a patient support surface. The chest compression system includes a driver having a driver body movably supporting a plunger, and a driver frame to support the driver adjacent to the chest of the patient. The retainer includes a collar releasably engageable with the chest compression system, and a brace including a shoulder support and a retainer frame. The shoulder support is arranged to abut a shoulder of the patient and to brace the chest compression system relative to the patient.

A system and method by which movements desired by a user of a lower extremity orthotic is determined and a control system automatically regulates the sequential operation of powered lower extremity orthotic components to enable the user, having mobility disorders, to walk, as well as perform other common mobility tasks which involve leg movements, perhaps with the use of a gait aid.

The invention according to the application relates to a locomotion therapy and rehabilitation device developed for patients whose locomotion function is either lost or declined due to spinal disorders, orthopaedic surgeries and central nervous system disorders to redevelop and improve their walking ability.

A joint movement therapy and assistive device system. The system includes a torque profile device having a plurality of connecting components, a longitudinal axis, and a center. Each connecting component of the plurality of connecting components is disposed at a selected distance relative to the center and a selected angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The system also includes at least one segment end and a plurality of tensioning components removable secured to the plurality of connecting components of the torque profile device and the at least one segment end. The plurality of tensioning components forms an additive torque profile when coupled between the torque profile device and the at least one segment end.

A therapeutic massage system is provided. The system is characterized by a controllable compressed air delivery system and a cushion adapted for operative union with a portion of the air delivery system. The cushion includes a support pad and a therapy pad, the support pad having head and vertebral column supporting portions. The support pad vertebral column supporting portion is characterized by longitudinally extending compartments containing filler material. A central compartment of compartments of the support vertebral column supporting portion having a primary region traversing an axial centerline of said cushion and secondary regions spaced apart from said primary central region. The therapy pad overlays and is affixed to the vertebral column supporting portion of the support pad, the therapy pad including a plurality of fluid fillable channels for receiving a vertebral column wherein select fluid fillable channels of the plurality of fluid fillable channels of the therapy pad are fillable via programmed actuation of an actuatable element of the air delivery system. Filler material of the compartments of the support vertebral column supporting portion are responsive to receipt of body weight upon the cushion and select filling of the plurality of fluid fillable channels of the therapy pad, filler material of the regions of the central compartment being passable throughout segments of same in response to receipt of body weight upon the cushion and select filling of the plurality of fluid fillable channels of the therapy pad.