33 results about "Limb segment" patented technology

An exoskeleton bracing system includes: a trunk support for affixing to the trunk of a disabled person and leg braces for connecting to the legs of the person, each leg brace including limb segment braces. Motorized joints are adapted to provide relative angular movement between the limb segment braces of the leg braces and between the leg braces and the trunk support. One or more ground force sensors are designed to sense ground force exerted on each of the leg braces. The system also includes a controller for receiving sensed signals from said one or more ground force sensors, with an algorithm for identifying a stance from the sensed signals and, based on the identified stance, actuating the motorized joints to perform an action relating to a mode of locomotion selected from a set of predefined actions corresponding to the identified stance.

A powered orthotic system includes a wearable component having a brace with a first section and a second section. The first and second sections are coupled to each other at a pivot. Each section is adapted to be removably attached to a corresponding first and second limb segment such that the pivot is proximate to a joint between each limb segment. The first and the second sections are movable with respect to each other to define flexion and extension directions. The wearable component also includes an electromyographic sensor, an electrically powered actuator assembly in communication with the electromyographic sensor, and a controller in communication with the actuator assembly that provides system parameters to control operation of the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is coupled to the first and the second sections so as to apply a force that moves the first and the second sections in the flexion and/or extension directions and the force is based on signals from the electromyographic sensor. The actuator assembly is positioned proximate to the pivot. The system also includes a control unit in communication with the wearable component. The control unit includes a processor that modifies the system parameters in the controller and a user interface, in communication with the processor, that permits user selection of the system parameters.

A powered orthotic device includes a brace having a first section and a second section, the first section and the second section operationally coupled at a pivot, the first and the second sections moving about the pivot to define flexion and extension directions, such directions defining inside and outside regions of the brace respectively. The device further includes at least one set of straps that removably attach the first section and the second section to a corresponding limb segment such that the pivot is proximate to a joint between each limb segment. The device also includes and an electromyographic sensor and an actuator assembly in communication with the electromyographic sensor, the actuator assembly mounted to the brace, and occupying a volume of which a majority is disposed proximately to the outside region of the brace, and coupled to the first and second sections of the brace so as to apply a force for driving the first and second sections about the pivot, the force based on signals from the electromyographic sensor.

An electrical stimulation orthosis and method therefor, the orthosis including: (a) an at least semi-rigid frame configured to substantially envelop a limb segment, the frame having at least one first complementary mechanical fastener associated therewith; (b) a surface electrical stimulation electrode assembly associated with, and supported by, the frame, the assembly having a surface stimulation electrode for contacting at least one stimulation point on the limb segment, the surface electrode assembly having an electrode base for electrically associating, via the frame, with a stimulator unit for providing a stimulation signal to the surface electrode, the electrode base having a top face for receiving the stimulation electrode, and a bottom face having at least one second complementary mechanical fastener, the first and second fasteners adapted for reversible attachment and detachment, at a plurality of locations on the frame, thereby enabling the electrical stimulation electrode assembly to be adjustably and reversibly positioned on the frame.

An apparatus for manipulating joints of a limb of a patient is provided. The limb comprises a plurality of limb segments, Each limb segment connects one or more joints. The apparatus includes one or more motor modules removably coupled to a supporting structure configured on the limb, each motor module including a plurality of motor drives. The apparatus also includes a manipulating exoskeleton assembly comprising a plurality of exoskeleton segments removably secured on a limb segment. Further, a plurality of actuating members is operatively connected to each motor module of the one or more motor modules. A first end of each actuating member is operatively connected to a motor drive of a motor module and a second end is removably coupled to an exoskeleton segment of the plurality of exoskeleton segments. Each actuating member is driven by a motor drive operatively connected to the each actuating member.

A signal transmitting and receiving system to track the position and orientation of limb segments in order to provide feedback information for the control of the limb movement. The user will generally be seated in a wheelchair that provides a structure upon which orthogonal and/or non-orthogonally oriented coils can be mounted and energized selectively so as to create variously oriented magnetic fields. Multiple wireless sensors injected into the limb detect the local field strength and send information telemetrically to a central controller. The controller extracts information about the position and orientation of each limb segment by combining signals from various sensors according to calibration information and optimal filtering methods for extracting information from multiple nonlinear sensors in mechanically constrained systems.

An inflatable bladder position a distance from a joint is attached to an external structural support which crosses the joint but does not support it. By inflating the bladder one limb segment is forced towards the external support thereby increasing the ranges of motion of that joint. Further, the inflatable bladder has an instant release valve which, when pressed, will instantly release the pressure within the bladder. The limb is positioned intermediate the bladder and the external structural support for optimal biomechanical efficiency.

A non-invasive method and device for promoting a localized change in a flow of blood through a blood vessel in a limb segment of a body by a series of electrically stimulated contractions of muscle tissue in the limb segment, the method including the steps of: (a) providing a device including: (i) first, second and third electrodes, each adapted to operatively contact the limb segment; (ii) a signal generator, operatively connected to the electrodes, adapted to produce a series of electrical impulses to the limb segment via the electrodes, and (iii) a control unit adapted to control the signal generator to produce the series of electrical impulses; (b) positioning the electrodes on the limb segment, wherein the first electrode is positioned on a lower end of the lower leg, the second electrode is positioned on the lower leg, and the third electrode is positioned on an upper end of the lower leg, whereby the first and third electrodes are disposed on opposite ends of the lower leg, and the second electrode and one of the first and third electrodes are disposed on a same end of the lower leg; (c) effecting a sequence of muscular contractions of the lower leg, by operations including: (i) applying a first electrical impulse between the electrodes on the same end of the lower leg to induce a first muscular contraction of a first portion of the tissue; and (ii) applying at least a second electrical impulse between the first and third electrodes to induce a longitudinal muscular contraction of a second portion of the muscular tissue; and (d) repeating operations (i) and (ii), to repeatedly induce the contractions, to effect the increased flow of blood.

The invention discloses a device for measuring the biological impedance of multi-limb segment components of a human body, comprising a central processing unit, an estimating platform, an input device and an output device, wherein the central processing unit is respectively connected with the estimating platform, the input device and the output device; a module database is arranged in the estimating platform, and the central processing unit is respectively connected with the module database and externally connected with electrode pairs of an A/D converter, wherein the electrode pairs are connected with each limb. Furthermore, the invention also discloses a method for measuring the biological impedance of the multi-limb segment components of the human body, comprising the following steps of: inputting basic data including height, weight and the like; selecting a module: selecting a corresponding module by a computer to form an estimating platform, and then obtaining estimating units of lower limbs, upper limbs, four limbs, a trunk and the whole body; comparing the estimating units to form a body estimating unit and a head estimating unit. The invention can rapidly and certainly measure the value and the components of each part of the human body to achieve the purposes of rapid measurement and safety.

A medical diagnostic device performs diagnostics for assessing the ability of the arteries to respond to an increase in blood flow. The medical diagnostic device determines relative changes in arterial volume of the limb segment during a time period after a stimulus relative to the arterial volume of the limb segment during a baseline period using the amplitudes or other portions of the component pulse waves (such as early systolic components) of volume pulse waves during the baseline period and after the stimulus.

A knee/elbow joint pneumatic traction therapeutic device relates to that technical field of medical devices and includes a closed limb segment fixation, an open limb support, and a connecting portionconnecting the closed limb segment fixation portion and the open limb segment support portion. The connecting part comprises an open limb segment pushing rod, wherein one end of the open limb segmentpushing rod is connected with the open limb segment supporting part, the other end is rotatably connected with the closed limb segment fixing part and provided with a first locking mechanism, and an air bag is arranged on the supporting surface of the open limb segment supporting part, and the air bag is communicated with the inflation control mechanism. Hollow balloon design far away from the point of force is used to treat joint stiffness and joint limited diseases in the softest and most effective way by balloon inflated air pressure technology, which reduces the pain of patients' rehabilitation and makes the patients' joints recover quickly.