2 results about "Knee orthosis" patented technology

A powered device augments a joint function of a human during a gait cycle using a powered actuator that supplies an augmentation torque, an impedance, or both to a joint. A controller estimates terrain slope and modulates the augmentation torque and the impedance according to a phase of the gait cycle and the estimated terrain slope to provide at least a biomimetic response. The controller may also modulate a joint equilibrium. Accordingly, the device is capable of normalizing or augmenting human biomechanical function, responsive to a wearer's activity, regardless of speed and terrain, and can be used, for example, as a knee orthosis, prosthesis, or exoskeleton.

The knee orthosis of the present invention includes a femoral cuff configured to engage with the upper leg of the wearer, a tibial cuff configured to engage with the lower leg of the wearer, and a hinge that pivotably connects the femoral cuff to the tibial cuff. The hinge has a femoral portion and a tibial portion, which engage with each other and include a shell configured to pivot relative to each other about a center of rotation. One shell includes an engagement surface facing a complementary engagement surface on the other shell. The engagement surface and the complementary engagement surface each have a shape corresponding to a part of an ellipsoid defined by a major axis extending in the sagittal plane, a minor axis perpendicular to the major axis, and the length of the ellipsoid along the major axis being longer than the length along the minor axis, and rotation around the major axis.