A method for a robot to simulate the passive mechanical state of human limb muscles, comprising a method for simulating different degrees of tensile force in bending the elbow or bending the knee in the human body, and a method for simulating different degrees of tensile force in extending the elbow or extending the knee in the human body. The robot is provided with, sequentially connected, a base (1), a shoulder joint assembly, an upper arm (5), an elbow joint assembly, a forearm (14), and a palm (16). The shoulder joint assembly is able to drive the upper arm (5) to rotate in all directions, and the elbow joint assembly is able to drive the forearm (14) to bend or extend.

An interface system in an exoskeleton includes a base support, a strap assembly, and posterior strut. The posterior strut has a vertical member defining a lower end connecting to the base support, and an upper end connecting to first and second transverse members extending in opposed directions from the vertical member. The first and second transverse members connect to the strap assembly. The interface system is adapted to receive and support an assistive device adapted to augment a user's performance and mitigate repetitive strain injuries.

An adjustable finger splint having a main body and slide. The slide configured to move relative to the main body and including a wedge to apply variable pressure to an injured finger to cause the injured finger to extend or straighten. The main body having a proximal interphalangeal platform to support the proximal interphalangeal joint, a metacarpophalangeal platform to support the palm and metacarpophalangeal joint, and a slide platform to support the slide.

A support for an area of a body having a hinge joint includes: a flexible, elastically stretchable framework configured to extend across the hinge joint of the area of the body; and a hinge mechanism affixed to the framework. The hinge mechanism includes a strut component and a first arm component connected to the strut component such that the first arm component is rotatable relative to the strut component only about a first pivot axis. A second arm component is connected to the strut component such that the second arm component is rotatable relative to the strut component only about a second pivot axis. The strut component is configured to extend with the framework across the hinge joint such that the first pivot axis is located on a first side of the hinge joint and the second pivot axis is located on a second, opposite side of the hinge joint.

A novel shoulder brace that can provide active dynamic support to an injured shoulder while providing the capability to also raise the attached arm and support the arm in an elevated position. The brace can be used both in conjunction with a rehabilitation intervention program to maintain or restore range of motion and strength and to assist in functional tasks at work and at home. The brace works by supporting a locking or ratchet mechanism connected to an arm cuff from a chest piece that, when desired, the user can move the arm connected to an injured shoulder and supported by the arm cuff from a normal side resting position to an elevated position 90 degrees from the resting position while transferring the load created by the arm and whatever the hand is holding back to the chest piece and to the torso of the user. A release mechanism can be used to release the locking or ratchet mechanism to let the user lower their arm back to a resting position.

A system for moving or assisting in movement of a body part of a subject, as well as a rehabilitation system including such a movement assistance system, includes a body part interface configured to be secured to the body part, and a motor-actuated assembly connected to the body part interface to move the body part interface to cause flexion or extension movement of the body part. A force sensing module is configured to measure forces applied between the body part interface and the motor-actuated assembly to ascertain at least one of volitional flexion and volitional extension movement of the body part by the subject, among other functions that may be implemented in movement assistance and rehabilitation systems using the disclosed force sensing module designs.

In one embodiment, the orthotic device can include a powered hand portion, a switching element, and a controller. The wearer can interact with the switching element to generate input signals for adjusting an operation of the powered hand portion. The controller can receive the input signals and generate control signals to accordingly adjust the operation of the powered hand portion. In some embodiments, a powered hand portion can be comprised of a plurality of linkages and at least one powered actuator to assist with an opening and closing of the hand portion. The plurality of linkages can be operated by at least one electric motor with quick-connect elements to link onto fingers of a user. In some embodiments, an electrically-actuated clutch mechanism can be affixed to an upper arm section and a lower arm section of an orthotic device. The clutch mechanism can be configured into different positions.

Rehabilitating an impaired body part of a subject such as a stroke patient includes systems, devices, and methods using an orthosis system configured to attach to the impaired body part and to move or assist in movement of the impaired body part. A control system is configured to operate the orthosis system in a mode in which the orthosis system first allows the subject to move volitionally or attempt to move volitionally the impaired body part in a predefined motion and then operates to move or assist in the predefined motion of the impaired body part. Additional modes of operation include a brain computer interface mode of operation and a mode in which the orthosis system operates in a continuous passive mode of operation comprising a plurality of repetitions of an exercise to move the impaired body part.

A non-fixed shoulder brace is provided comprising: an affected shoulder support which is supported on an affected shoulder of a wearer; a waist support coupled to the wearer's waist; an affected arm mounting part in which the wearer's affected arm is inserted and which is supported by means of an affected shoulder strap member from the affected shoulder support; and an affected upper limb exercise assistance apparatus coupled to both ends of the waist support and disposed between the wearer's waist and the affected arm mounting part.

The invention relates a device for supporting two arms 4 of a user 2 wherein the device has two arm support elements 6, each of which has an arm shell 10 for placing on an arm 4, at least one passive actuator 26, which is configured to apply a force to at least one of the arm support elements 6, and at least one counter bearing 14 for the force to be applied, which comprises at least one counter bearing element 16 and at least two force transmission elements 18, which are configured to transfer a counter force from each of the arm support elements to the counter bearing element 16,

wherein the force transmission elements 18 are arranged on the counter bearing element 16 such that they can be moved relative to the counter bearing element 16, in particular they can be rotated about at least one rotational axis.