A therapy device (1) for treating a body part particularly a big toe of a patient, comprises: a base body (2) with a surface (21L, 21R) for receiving a portion of the body of the patient adjacent to the body part; a moving segment (3) having a support surface (321) for receiving the body part; and a drive unit (5) for pivoting the moving segment (3) back and forth relative to the base body (2). The drive unit (5) is fixed to the moving segment (3) and pivotable back and forth relative to the base body (2) together with the moving segment (3).

Method and apparatus for improving mobility in patients affected by a neurodegenerative disease, through controlled and localized mechanical stimulation of the foot, at the tip of the big toe and the lower big toe metatarsal joint. Described herein is an apparatus comprising stimulators for the right and left foot and it attains such mechanical stimulation according to predetermined intensity parameters, stimulation sequence, duration and cyclical repetition. Mobility improvement was observed in particular in patients affected by Parkinson's disease.

Described is an exercise tool. More particularly, it is a therapy and exercise tool specifically devised as a foot-therapy and toe-aligning device to align, separate, and stretch toes. The foot-therapy and toe-aligning device comprises a frame with a plurality of posts connected with the frame. The device is formed of an elastic material such that a user may place at least one of the plurality of posts between a user's toes and pull the post to stretch and elongate the post between the toes. Upon release, the elastic material of the post causes the post to attempt to return to its original shape, thereby causing it to expand out and conform its shape to fit snugly against the user's toes. Additionally, the elastic material allows the toe posts to be positioned and maintained at numerous locations between the user's toes for customizable positioning between the toes.

A method for exercising a joint and a limb including the following: preventing movement of an exercise device actuation member in a first direction unless pressure exerted by the limb against the actuation member is equal to or greater than a predetermined first target pressure; permitting movement of the actuation member in the first direction at a first predetermined speed when pressure exerted by the limb against the actuation member is equal to or greater than the predetermined first target pressure; preventing movement of the actuation member in a second direction unless pressure exerted by the limb against the actuation member is equal to or greater than a predetermined second target pressure; and permitting movement of the actuation member in the second direction at a second predetermined speed when pressure exerted by the limb against the actuation member is equal to or greater than the predetermined second target pressure.

A walking assistance device includes: a belt-shaped lumbar region fixture wound around a lumbar region; a first elastic string-like member an upper part of which is fixed to the lumbar region fixture at a position of an anterior superior iliac spine and a lower part of which extends in an instep direction of a leg and is hooked to a toe region of a sole; and a second elastic string-like member an upper part of which is fixed to the lumbar region fixture above a position of an ischial tuberosity and a lower part of which extends in an ankle direction and is hooked to a heel region of the sole, wherein each of the first elastic string-like member and the second elastic string-like member is bifurcated near a knee of a leg, and the bifurcated parts of the first elastic string-like member and the second elastic string-like member are bound to each other at positions of an outer knee joint fissure gap and an inner knee joint fissure gap.

A control system and method for an exoskeleton is provided. The control system utilizes the admittance control paradigm to provide a system and method for manipulating the exoskeleton using minimal force from the user. A force/torque sensor and servo motors are fitted onto a passive arm support, enabling motorized support for a user with upper extremity weaknesses. The exoskeleton may be used on any extremity. The admittance control paradigm includes an impedance control and an admittance control to allow a user with upper extremity weakness and limited independence to intuitively and with minimal force control the precise trajectory of their arms to achieve a greater degree of independence in activities of daily living. Unlike existing passive arm supports that utilize springs or rubber bands to balance the user's arm against gravity, this system provides more precise gravity compensation and minimizes the amount of force required to control the exoskeleton.

A foot stretching/checkup device includes: a motor unit; a footrest unit including a lower footrest configured to be rotated about a first rotation axis, an upper footrest configured to be rotated about a second rotation axis and a connecting member connecting the upper footrest and the lower footrest; and a coupling unit including an arm portion rotated by the motor unit and a rotary coupler coupled to the upper footrest. The upper footrest is configured to be rotated by a predetermined angle about the second rotation axis by the rotation of the arm portion. The lower footrest is configured not to be rotated about the first rotation axis by rotation of the arm portion until the upper footrest is rotated by the predetermined angle.

A link assembly includes a main frame, a base link rotatably connected to the main frame, an input link rotatably connected to the main frame, and an output link at least 2-degree of freedom (DOF) rotatably connected to the main frame.

In device for placing a toe of a patient's foot in traction may broadly include a shoe portion (e.g., a sole, counter, and strap(s)); a toe attachment apparatus (e.g., a Chinese finger trap) having a cable extending therefrom; a pulley, with the cable wrapped about the pulley; and an apparatus (e.g., a ratchet, an actuator, and the like) configured to apply tension to the cable to create traction in the toe. A second actuator may adjust lateral positioning of the pulley relative to the shoe portion to set a desired angle of adduction for the traction provided to the toe by the cable. A meter may be coupled to the cable to indicate an amount of tension provided thereto. Another actuator may adjust elevational positioning of the pulley relative to the shoe portion to set a desired angle of dorsiflexion for the traction provided to the toe by the cable.

In device for placing a toe of a patient's foot in traction may broadly include a shoe portion (e.g., a sole, counter, and strap(s)); a toe attachment apparatus (e.g., a Chinese finger trap) having a cable extending therefrom; a pulley, with the cable wrapped about the pulley; and an apparatus (e.g., a ratchet, an actuator, and the like) configured to apply tension to the cable to create traction in the toe. A second actuator may adjust lateral positioning of the pulley relative to the shoe portion to set a desired angle of adduction for the traction provided to the toe by the cable. A meter may be coupled to the cable to indicate an amount of tension provided thereto. Another actuator may adjust elevational positioning of the pulley relative to the shoe portion to set a desired angle of dorsiflexion for the traction provided to the toe by the cable.