Air microfluidics and minifluidics enabled active compression apparel enhances mobility and quality of life for individuals by minimizing risks of injuries, enhancing rehabilitation, and maximizing comfort. Balloon actuators, integrated with a garment, provide active compression and augmenting forces to anatomical portions of the human body. The balloon actuators are actuated by fluidic pressurization hardware. The air microfluidics and minifluidics system miniaturizes fluidic pressurization hardware and makes it wearable, ultra lightweight, and ultra formfitting. The air microfluidics and minifluidics system includes micro and mini channels of various lengths, cross-sectional areas, and functions via principles of equivalent hydraulic resistance allowing for fluidic transportation, passive delay in pressurization of the balloon actuators, and digital soft fluidic actuation where the compression force is based on the number of inflated balloon actuators instead of their pressure.

Vibration therapy delivered as a low-magnitude; high-frequency stimulus offers a means to deliver relevant mechanical signals safely to patients who cannot exercise to build musculoskeletal strength. Vibrations will begin at the cellular level and metastasize to the muscles and the entire musculoskeletal system. What I am proposing here is instead of using mechanical loading, we can do it more effectively using “Resonant Frequency”; which is the frequency of an external oscillation or vibration that matches an object (or cavity's) natural frequency, as a result either causes it to vibrate or increases its amplitude of oscillation. In mechanical systems, resonance refers to the amplification, reinforcement, or prolongation of sound or other vibrations. Using an external oscillation equipment, we match the natural frequency for the musculoskeletal system which will create vibration throughout that system which will improve bone density, increase strength and increased mobility.

A walking assistance device deformable based on a thigh shape includes a hip joint actuator, an upper thigh frame connected to the hip joint actuator and configured to receive power from the hip joint actuator and rotate about a first axis and rotate about a second axis intersecting the first axis, a motion frame connected to the upper thigh frame, the motion frame including a plurality of segment frames configured to rotate relative to each other, and a lower thigh frame connected to the motion frame.

A method for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes supplying an inflation gas at an operative pressure to an inflation actuated soft gripper device to change form from an undeployed state to a deployed grip state that accommodates and grips a human torso. The inflation actuated soft gripper device includes a first inflatable gripper arm having a first distal end and a second inflatable gripper arm having a second distal end. The first distal end and the second distal end approach one another from the undeployed state to the deployed grip state. The first and second distal ends are spaced apart from one another further in the undeployed state than in the deployed grip state. An actuator power and a CPR control signal are delivered to a CPR pressure application device to cyclically extend and retract a pressure applicator along an axis in alignment with a sternum of the human torso.

An improvement to portable cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), includes a first module hub housing, an inflation actuated soft gripper configured to receive an inflation gas in response, to change form to a deployed grip state that accommodates and grips a human torso. Improvements include the inflatable gripper not requiring lifting the patient. Improvements also include modularity for in-the-field reconfigurability, in which a second module hub housing attaches to the first module hub housing, carrying a CPR pressure applicator configured to receive an actuator power and control signal causing, concurrent with the deployed grip state, cyclic extension and retraction of a pressure applicator along an axis aligned with a sternum of the human torso.

Described herein are methods, devices and systems for respiratory therapy delivered by a therapy vest. A therapy vest is provided in which an independent body fitting function is provided by use of a body fit layer or compartment(s). The body fit layer or compartment(s) may be controlled independently from the therapy layer or compartment(s), such that the fit of the therapy vest is placed on more equal footing with the therapy delivering components of the therapy vest. Other examples are disclosed and claimed.

An upper torso orthotic device having multiple adjustment mechanisms configured to enable adaptation to a wide variety of body shapes, sizes and augmentation needs. The upper torso orthotic device including a body worn support frame member configured to dynamically distribute a weight of the upper torso orthotic device across the chest, shoulder and back of a user, and a limb augmentation member configured to augment a native strength of an arm of the user by overcoming the effects of gravity, the limb augmentation member including an adjustable shoulder assembly including at least one of a leveling mechanism, a clavicle retraction/protraction angle adjustment mechanism, a shoulder abduction angle adjustment mechanism, and a shoulder width adjustment mechanism.

In an illustrative embodiment, methods and systems for attenuating effect(s) associated with reduction or cessation of substance use by an individual include providing a neurostimulation delivery system including a neurostimulation device having a first portion including a first electrode configured to electrically stimulate auricular branch(es) of the vagus nerve, and a second portion including a second electrode configured to electrically stimulate branch(es) of the auriculotemporal nerve, and a pulse generator including circuitry configured to deliver therapeutic stimulation pulses to the first and second electrodes. Methods and systems include positioning the neurostimulation device for administration of the neurostimulation treatment, whereby the first electrode is disposed on, over or adjacent to auricular branch(es) of the vagus nerve, and the second electrode is disposed on, over or adjacent to branch(es) of the auriculotemporal nerve, and administering the neurostimulation treatment.

Methods and systems are disclosed for enhancing blood flow to anatomical regions. An applicator may include a stimulation portion operative to define a protrusion extending from the applicator. Positioning the applicator in relation to the anatomical region may emplace the protrusion upon a predetermined area thereof, resulting in stimulation being applied thereto. A blood flow enhancement device can be used alongside the applicator to apply suction, heating, and/or vibration effects to the anatomical region, via the blood flow enhancement device having a vacuum, an ultrasonic transducer and/or a vibrator. An inner surface of the applicator's protrusion may receive a portion of the blood flow enhancement device, allowing a user to impart these effects upon the predetermined area the protrusion is associated with. The combination of stimulating, heating, vibrating, and/or suctioning the anatomical region in this manner can allow treatments like therapies, diagnostics, and pleasure to be administered to a user.

An apparatus comprised of a plurality of engagement structures independently movable along a longitudinal axis to initially engage a mid-foot region of a foot is described. A center structure or a first set of engagement structures engage the foot in a mid-foot region, and one or more peripheral engagement structures engage the plantar surface in regions surrounding the mid-foot region independent from the structure(s) engaging the mid-foot region. Positional information about the engagement structures is obtained, and a surface map from the positional information is constructed, to determine a profile or contour for an orthotic device in which the foot is in a restored bone state.