Provided is a walking assistance method and apparatus for providing an assistance torque to an ankle of a user. To provide an assistance torque to an ankle of a user, a first pressure value and a second pressure value are received from a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor, a ratio between the first pressure value and the second pressure value is calculated, a gain value is determined based on the ratio, an assistance torque value is calculated based on the ratio and the gain value, and a driver is controlled to output the assistance torque value.

A device for mobilizing the human osteo-musculotendinous system, including a kneepad arranged to cover a knee of a human user so as to keep the knee in the kneepad, and arranged to exert, on the knee covered by the kneepad, a mobilizing force, the mobilizing force applying pressure to the knee and being directed towards a bearing surface arranged so that the user's pelvis can bear against said surface and a means for increasing the mobilizing force.

Non-human animal compression therapy devices and methods. In some embodiments, the compression therapy devices includes one or more sleeves, each of the one or more sleeves being configured to fit a limb of a non-human animal, and each of the one or more sleeves comprising one or more inflatable chambers; and a controllable air source operably connected with the one or more inflatable chambers and configured to controllably inflate and deflate the one or more inflatable chambers. In some embodiments, at least one cycle of inflating and deflating of the one or more chambers starts by inflating the most distal chamber. In some embodiments, the compression therapy is given to eliminate or ease suffering from a disease or disorder or a sporting or work-related injury.

A motion assistance apparatus includes a proximal frame configured to support a proximal part of a user, a connecting frame rotatably connected to the proximal frame, a distal frame rotatably connected to the connecting frame and configured to support a distal part of the user, and a power transmitter including a slider configured to slide along the proximal frame, a pusher rotatably connected to the distal frame and the slider, and a coupler configured to connect the slider and the pusher and positioned closer to the proximal part of the user than a rotation axis of the connecting frame in the whole range of motion.

A method of constructing an inflatable fluidic actuator. The method includes coupling a first interface to a tube configuration of membrane material at a first tube end by coupling the first interface to the tube configuration at the first tube end by generating at least one of: a first bond between the membrane material and one or more first sidewalls of the first interface and a first external face bond between membrane material at the first tube end onto a first external face of the first interface.

Provided is an artificial muscle device, including a plurality of heat transfer modules including a thermal conductive body in which a plurality of tunnels parallel to each other and a thermoelectric element contacting an outer surface of the thermal conductive body, a connection member connecting a first heat transfer module to a second heat transfer module, the connection member being folded or unfolded according to a distance between the first heat transfer module and the second heat transfer module, a thermal reaction driving member passing through each of the tunnels, the thermal reaction driving member being stretched or contracted in a longitudinal direction of the tunnel according to a temperature of the thermal reaction driving member, and a power transmission part connected to an end of the thermal reaction driving member.

An exoskeleton device that includes an artificial joint and a frame member extending from the artificial joint. The frame member is configured for extension over a limb of a user. The exoskeleton device also includes a self-aligning mechanism connected to the frame member. The self-aligning mechanism includes three passive degrees of freedom (pDOF) provided in a prismatic-revolute-revolute (PRR) configuration. The self-aligning mechanism also includes a limb attachment member configured for mechanically coupling to a portion of the limb of the user.

An inversion table includes a supporting stand having a first interlocking member, and a tilt inversion mechanism. The tilt inversion mechanism includes an inversion unit pivoted on the supporting stand, a feet holding unit, and a locking unit having a second interlocking member disposed on the inversion unit. The tilt inversion mechanism is operable relative to the supporting stand such that the feet holding unit is disengaged from the locking unit in a non-reversible state, and that the feet holding unit is engaged with the locking unit in a reversible state.

Systems and methods described herein include a pressure delivery component that has a pressure applicator configured to selectively apply therapeutic pressure to a treatment portion of a user body, and also includes a thermal delivery component that has a thermal applicator that is a configured to apply thermal treatment to the treatment portion. The thermal applicator may be removably disposable in operative relationship with the pressure delivery component in a use configuration of the treatment delivery component such that the thermal applicator is disposable between the treatment portion and the pressure applicator when the treatment delivery component is disposed on the treatment portion in the use configuration. Moreover, the pressure applicator is operable to apply pressure to the thermal applicator to enhance apposition of the thermal applicator to the treatment portion.

A mechanical foot includes a mechanical ankle joint including a leg portion configured to be fixed to a patient's leg, a foot portion configured to be fixed to the patient's foot, and a revolute. The leg portion and the foot portion are connected through the revolute in a manner of being rotatable relative to each other. The revolute includes a foot connecting portion connected to the foot portion and a leg connecting portion connected to the leg portion, and the foot connecting portion and the leg connecting portion are connected in a manner of being rotatable relative to each other. The revolute further includes a first elastic element having one end connected to the foot connecting portion, and the other end connected to the leg connecting portion, so that a force maintaining the patient's foot substantially horizontal is provided through the revolute at a position of the mechanical ankle joint.