Disclosed are embodiments for a walking assist device. The device may be capable of transformation into a knee scooter configuration and a hands-free crutch configuration for walking or standing while freeing the hands. The device may also include an elastic member for decreasing the load rate of the device.

A knee joint that is capable of widening a moveable range, and that has good energy efficiency and is small and lightweight is described. Also described is a knee joint that is of an active type, but comparatively inexpensive. A drive section moves a driven member. An elastic member is arranged between the driven member and a linear motion member. The linear motion member elastically moves in at least one direction, in accordance with movement of the driven member, by way of the elastic member. A crank mechanism can realize bending and extension of the knee joint by converting linear motion of the linear motion member to rotational motion.

There is disclosed a mobility aid for use by a user having a lower body amputation site. The mobility aid includes a lower body exoskeleton (LBE). The LBE has a pelvic support structure and a first leg and a second leg. Each of the first and second legs are movably coupled to the pelvic support structure, wherein at least the first and second legs are selectively actuable to move the lower body exoskeleton relative to a surface on which the mobility aid is positioned. The LBE also includes a carrier selectively positionable with respect to the lower body exoskeleton and, which in use, supports the user at or about an amputation site; and a harness system configured to, when in use, secure the user to the lower body exoskeleton.

A convertible, self-propelled, motorized mobility assistance device in a plurality of embodiments is provided, comprising a scooter-like chassis (1400) with support deck (300) portion, a handlebar (700), and at least one removable, interchangeable knee rest (800) or seat attachment (1300); wherein the device is mounted atop and driven by at least three motorized wheels (400, 500) which are connected to a source of power and propulsion (1200), and drive (1100). The device further includes a steering system, braking system, and mechanisms for height-adjustability, comfort, and portability.

The present disclosure discloses an unpowered wearable walking assistance knee equipment with gait self-adaptivity comprising a left foot power output assembly, a right foot power output assembly, a left leg knee joint assistance execution assembly, a right leg knee joint assistance execution assembly and a driving force transmission device. The equipment of the present disclosure is based on lever principle and crank block structure principle and adopts an operation mode of combining ipsilateral parallel driving input and different sides cross driving input. The self-weight of the human body is utilized as a driving force during the walking process to enable the left foot power output assembly to provide the left leg knee joint assistance execution assembly with a pulling force for its stretching and to provide the right leg knee joint assistance execution assembly with a pulling force for its bending, and to enable the right foot power output assembly to provide the right leg knee joint assistance execution assembly with a pulling force for its stretching and to provide the left leg knee joint assistance execution assembly with a pulling force for its bending, so that a torque for assisting the stretching and bending of the left leg knee joint and the right leg knee joint is generated according to a gait cycle regularity during the walking process, and the goal of walking assistance is achieved.

Described herein are various improvements to mobility devices. These improvements include, for example, adjustable lateral body supports, multi axial supports for accommodating movement of the pelvis during walking, frame folding assemblies for accommodating storage and transportation, detachable support couplings for supportive accessories, foldaway footplate assemblies for allowing users to rest, wheel brake systems, caster wheel systems, suspension support systems, control button assemblies, and center of gravity adjustment assemblies. One or more these improvements can be combined into various mobility devices as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Disclosed are handicap apparatus using (a) one or more resilient, snap-on bumper structures, (b) unique tips covers, (c) leg elevating units, (d) resilient structures having a density that provides a softer exterior and a harder interior. The handicap apparatus includes crutches, canes, wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers.

In an embodiment, an exoskeleton that can be applied to a limb of a wearer (P) includes a first member (12) and a second member (14) with an articulation (16) set in between to enable a relative movement of angular orientation of the first member (12) and of the second member (14) over a range of angular orientation. The exoskeleton (10) can likewise present at least one of the following features: —i) the second member (14) includes: —a first structure (14a), which can be oriented at the aforesaid articulation (16) with respect to the first member (12) over the entire said range of angular orientation; and —a second structure (14b), which can be coupled to the limb of the wearer (P) with a latch device (20) for latching the second structure (14b) to the first structure (14a), the latch device (20) being selectively disengageable at a certain angular position of the aforesaid range of angular orientation to render the first structure (14a) orientable with respect to the first member (14) independently of the second structure (14b); and/or —ii) the exoskeleton includes a distal end platform (22) coupled to the exoskeleton via a ball joint (18).

A suspension walker which may be weighted or unweighted is provided. The suspension walker includes a sole plate having a rocker bottom, a yoke portion and an extension leg attached to the yoke portion. A boot received by a patient's foot is operably coupled to the yoke portion by a first fastener and to an upper portion of the extension leg by a second fastener. An extension leg may be operably coupled at a hinge axis to an upper hinged portion. The hinge axis is configured to be aligned with the knee. A below the knee collar operably and securely couples the boot to the extension leg and the yoke portion. An above the knee collar operably secures the upper hinged portion to the patient's thigh.

A soft-inflatable exosuit for knee rehabilitation is fabricated in two different beam-like structures (I and O cross-section actuators) and mechanically characterized for their torque performance in knee-extension assistance. The fabrication procedure of both types of actuators is presented as well as their integration into a light-weight, low-cost and body-conforming interface. To detect the activation duration of the device during the gait cycle, a soft-silicone insole with embedded force-sensitive resistors (FSRs) is used. In evaluation studies, the soft inflatable exosuit device is tested for its ability to reduce muscle activity during the swing phase of the knee. Using sEMG (surface electromyography) sensors, the rectus femoris muscle group of a healthy individual is recorded while walking on a treadmill at a constant speed, with and without the soft device.