39results about How to "Improve gait" patented technology

A device and method for gait training, such as for rehabilitation of a person after a stroke is provided. In some embodiments, the device comprises a stimulator, preferably electric stimulator, for provoking a spinal cord withdrawal reflex in the person by stimulation on the person's foot in response to a control signal. Hereby, the person's leg will move and initiate a gait swing. A sensor is placed to sense movement of the leg and provide a feedback signal accordingly. A processor unit with a processor runs a control algorithm which calculates the control signal in response to the feedback signal. Thus, the method is based on a closed-loop design, and the control signal is preferably calculated for each walking step, and it is preferably based on the feedback signal obtained from the preceding walking step. Hereby reflex habituation can be accounted for. Preferably, the stimulator has a plurality of stimulator channels with electrodes placed on different sites distributed on the sole of the foot and on the heel. The feedback signal may be based on accelerometer(s), and/or gyroscope(s), and/or goinometer(s) positioned on the leg and/or foot, e.g. partly or fully integrated in an in-sole for a shoe etc.

An improvement in the design of a shoe wherein a flexible material is placed inside the shoe sole at the level over the insole and below the toes of the foot and either above or also in line with the midsole, so that the wearer's toes rest along the flexible material when the wearer's foot is inserted into the shoe. The flexible material also extends to the area at the base of the big toe and behind the ball of the foot behind the big toe under the 1^st metatarso-phalange joint base of the big toe. In a variation of the present invention, the flexible material only extends under the toes and does not extend behind the big toe. Therefore, in addition to all five toes resting on the flexible material, the ball of the foot area at the base of the big toe also rests on the flexible material. By filling the frontal section of the shoe sole with the flexible material, the flexible material permits the toes to curl downward when walking. The flexible material can be any type of-gel, deformable liquid or gel containing pack, polyurethane gel, silicone, soft rubber, foam, memory soft material, neoprene, polyvinyl, polyethylene, polyurethane and any type of natural or synthetic soft flexible material to simulate walking on sand.

The present invention relates to artificial limbs generally and to joints for the same. In particular, the present invention provides hydraulic functional units, generally classified as damping devices as connected between artificial limbs whereby to enable movement of artificial joints to closely correspond with natural human movement. In the provision of realistic joints, as used in prosthetic limbs, an important aspect in attempting to achieve a realistic movement is to provide a different operating characteristic to the joint when under load. Indeed, one of the more important characteristics of an artificial leg for achieving a natural-looking walking gait correspond with those of a so called stabilised knee, i.e. a knee which resists flexion when under load, that is when it is bearing at least some of the weight of the amputee. In accordance with the invention, there is provided hydraulic damper control elements for prostheses which utilize a pressure differential due to the presence a fluid flow as a direct control input for a at least one hydraulic valve. The valve can comprise a moveable element which abuts a resiliently mounted element which reduces the size of an aperture as the force increases. Further, a moveable body acts upon the valve to enable an increase or decrease of flow of hydraulic fluid through the valve, whereby to enable an increase in gait by way of reduction of resistance to flow or to reduce or stop flow by way of a stumble recovery mechanism.

Provided are methods of treating or improving neurological conditions and/or outcomes thereof in a subject afflicted with a neurological condition. The methods include placement of a device comprising at least two calibrated, differential disturbances or protuberances under the subject's foot.

Footwear used for high performance activities such as running can be adhesively attached to the plantar surface of feet rather than uppers or straps. The upper surface of the protective layer of the footwear can have adhesive regions that secure the foot to the footwear and other regions that are not adhesively coupled to the foot. The adhesive regions can be under the heel, along the lateral side of the foot, under the first through fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints and around the perimeter of the foot above the plantar surface.

The invention provides an auxiliary system which is capable of assisting a limb prosthesis orthopedic doctor to assemble lower-limb prosthesis and helping an amputee to improve gait on the basis of a foot pressure signal of the amputee. The auxiliary system comprises a main circuit box, a sole pressure sensor assembly and an interface program, and the interface program is applied to a user interface. According to the auxiliary system, the main circuit box and the sole pressure sensor assembly are used together and are transmitted to the user interface in a wireless mode. The auxiliary system mainly operates on the basis of the principles of computing and displaying standing and swinging times of the amputee during walking as well as a reference pressure center path during walking and standing, and comparing with corresponding standard data, so as to suggest the orthopedic doctor in the adjustment of the lower-limb prosthesis alignment and the gait of the amputee. The auxiliary system disclosed by the invention is helpful for the limb prosthesis orthopedic doctor in the adjustment of the lower-limb prosthesis alignment, the assessment of the gait of the amputee after alignment and in the gait training of the amputee.

The invention provides a quadruped robot capable of achieving gait control through front-rear traction and up-down rolling, and belongs to the field of robots. The quadruped robot includes a body frame, a shank support tube, a leg support frame, a longitudinal driving unit, a longitudinal moving sliding block, a foot structure, a transverse driving unit and a transverse moving sliding block, and the foot structure is connected with a rotating shaft of the lower end of the shank support tube, the longitudinal moving sliding block is slidably connected with the leg support frame, and the longitudinal moving sliding block is fixedly connected with the shank support tube and the longitudinal driving unit to make the longitudinal driving unit drives the shank support tube move up and down alongthe leg support frame; and the sliding block end of the transverse moving sliding block is slidably connected with an outside crossbar of the body frame, and the transverse moving sliding block is fixedly connected with the leg support frame and the transverse drive unit to make the transverse driving unit drive the leg support frame to move transversely along the outside crossbar of the body frame. The quadruped robot has the advantages of simple gait, low cost, simple structure, and high feasibility and generalizability.

A gait-enhancing system and method of enhancing gait includes generating a reference signal having substantially equal durations between occurrences and providing the reference signal to a user. Contact between the feet of the user with a surface is received and occurrence of a trigger signal is generated in response to the contact. An occurrence of the trigger signal is compared with an occurrence of a reference signal, and a guidance signal is produced as a function of the amount of time that the trigger signal led or lagged the reference signal. The guidance signal is provided to the user in order to promote symmetry in stride between one foot and the other foot of the user, enhancing the user's gait.

A shoe is designed to enable unhindered natural foot motion between the foot and the ground. The shoe is constructed with a cupped heel, a contoured arch, a radiused forepart and neutral heel/forefoot position to create a foot bed that anatomically cradles a wearer's foot. A soft, flexible strobel stitched insole is added, which utilizes encapsulated high resiliency foam. The outsole is sculpted to have rounded natural edges and an anatomically correct flex location toward the forefoot of the shoe where softer, more flexible materials are used. The outsole is further designed with harder, protective materials strategically placed in high ground-contact areas to deliver protection and support. An optional midfoot support element may be positioned between the insole and outsole to control torsional stiffness. Upper materials are selected to minimize restriction of movement and promote breathability.

Methods of administration of amantadine to improve movement disorders are described, as well as compositions suitable therefor.

The present application relates to devices and systems for rehabilitation of the locomotor system, for example limbs. In particular, the present application discloses an apparatus, more in particular a robotic platform capable of optimizing gravity-dependent trunk movements, enabling overground locomotion in non-ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury and stroke, while promoting durable motor improvement when delivered during gait rehabilitation facilitated by electrical spinal cord stimulation.

The present invention provides methods of using halogenated volatile compounds, e.g., halogenated ether, for treating a neurological disorder, e.g., Parkinson's disease.

The invention relates to a comprehensive function rehabilitation training device for senile weak patients which comprises a main supporting frame. A rotatable seat frame is installed on the main supporting frame in a suspended mode, a seat is installed in the seat frame, upper limb comprehensive exercise devices are arranged on the upper portion and in front of the seat, and a lower limb comprehensive exercise device is arranged on the lower portion of the seat. The upper limb comprehensive exercise device comprises a grip strength exercise device and a double-arm lifting opening and closing exercise device, and the lower limb exercise device comprises a foot supporting plate, an elastic telescopic rod, an ankle limiting rod and a limiting rod support. According to the invention, the senile weak patient can comprehensively exercise four limbs, the blood circulation of the four limbs is promoted, the muscle strength of the limbs is enhanced, and the senile weak syndrome is comprehensively resisted. The grip strength exercise device can be used for exercising palm parts and enhancing far-end circulation. The double-arm lifting opening and closing exercise device can be used for exercising shoulder joints, improving the flexibility and coordination of active movement of a finger system, promoting movement of hand muscles and cervical vertebra, and enabling a patient to do foot-pad exercise and lower limb flexion and extension movement.

The device is comprised of a generic cushioned shock absorbing type material orthotic support structure attached to the brace layer. The orthotic support structure comprises a raised midsole that tapers at the anterior end and transitions into a heel cushion which surrounds the bottom of the wearer's heel at the posterior end. The orthotic support structure continues to the heel, where it provides a cup to form to the shape of the heel.

An orthopedic shoe appliance includes a pad for providing support for midfoot arches, the second metatarsal, and the third metatarsal of a foot, wherein the pad does not provide substantial support under a heel of the foot or under the first metatarsal, the fourth metatarsal, and the fifth metatarsal. A method for manufacturing an orthopedic appliance includes obtaining a pad; and shaping the pad to provide support for midfoot arches, the second metatarsal, and the third metatarsal of a foot, but not provide substantial support under a heel of the foot or under the first metatarsal, the fourth metatarsal, and the fifth metatarsal.