Orthosis for a gait modulation system
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- coupling, via an electrode base, a surface electrode to an inner layer of a frame, the inner layer of the frame being coupled to an inner surface of the frame;
disposing the frame about a portion of a limb such that the frame at least partially envelops the portion of the limb, a diameter of the frame being increased during the disposing, the frame and the inner layer of the frame collectively configured such that the electrode base is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the portion of the limb when the frame and the inner layer are disposed about the portion of the limb, a retention portion of the frame configured to retain the frame about the portion of the limb, at least a portion of the retention portion being biased towards the portion of the limb after the disposing such that an inward force is imparted to the portion of the limb; and
coupling, via a mounting portion of the frame, an electrical stimulator to the frame such that the stimulator is electrically coupled via a connector assembly to the electrode base, at least a portion of the connector assembly disposed within a connector opening defined by the frame.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A functional electrical stimulation (FES) orthosis for FES to a limb segment, including: (a) a semi-rigid, self-retaining C-shaped frame, the frame configured to substantially envelop the limb segment, the frame including a first flexible and elongated circumferentially retaining element and at least a first and a second opposing flexible and elongated circumferentially retaining elements disposed on the circumferentially opposite side of the frame, the first retaining element and the first opposing retaining element forming a pair of opposing retaining elements, and (b) a surface electrical stimulation electrode for contacting at least one stimulation point on a surface of the limb segment, associated with, and supported by, the frame, the surface electrode for electrically associating, via the frame, with a neuroprosthetic stimulator unit, so as to provide FES, wherein the opposing retaining elements are configured to be radially spring-loaded towards a center of the frame, such that in donning the orthosis around the limb segment, the limb segment applies a counter-pressure from within the frame, against the opposing retaining elements, such that the orthosis is firmly and fixedly self-retained in a pre-determined position on the surface.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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coupling, via an electrode base, a surface electrode to an inner layer of a frame, the inner layer of the frame being coupled to an inner surface of the frame; disposing the frame about a portion of a limb such that the frame at least partially envelops the portion of the limb, a diameter of the frame being increased during the disposing, the frame and the inner layer of the frame collectively configured such that the electrode base is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the portion of the limb when the frame and the inner layer are disposed about the portion of the limb, a retention portion of the frame configured to retain the frame about the portion of the limb, at least a portion of the retention portion being biased towards the portion of the limb after the disposing such that an inward force is imparted to the portion of the limb; and coupling, via a mounting portion of the frame, an electrical stimulator to the frame such that the stimulator is electrically coupled via a connector assembly to the electrode base, at least a portion of the connector assembly disposed within a connector opening defined by the frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus, comprising:
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a first orthosis layer configured to at least partially envelop a portion of a limb, the first orthosis layer configured to be enlarged in circumference when the first orthosis layer at least partially envelops the portion of the limb, the first orthosis layer including a semi-rigid retention portion and a mounting portion, the retention portion configured to partially surround the portion of the limb, the retention portion configured to retain the first orthosis layer about the portion of the limb, at least a portion of the retention portion being biased towards the portion of the limb when the first orthosis layer at least partially envelops the portion of the limb, the mounting portion configured to receive at least a portion of an electrical stimulator; a second orthosis layer coupled to an inner surface of the first orthosis layer, the second orthosis layer configured to be coupled to a surface electrode, the first orthosis layer and the second orthosis layer collectively configured such that the surface electrode is disposed at a predetermined position overlying a target stimulation point of the limb when the first orthosis layer and the second orthosis layer are disposed about the portion of the limb; and a connector assembly configured to electrically couple the electrical stimulator to the surface electrode, at least a portion of the connector assembly configured to be disposed within a connector opening defined by at least one of the first orthosis layer or the second orthosis layer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus, comprising:
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a frame assembly configured to substantially envelop a portion of a limb, the frame assembly including a locator configured to identify the longitudinal position and the rotational position of the frame assembly during donning, the frame assembly having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the locator being disposed between the first end portion of the frame assembly and the second end portion of the frame assembly, the locator having a first portion configured to conform to an anatomical protuberance of the limb and a second portion configured to conform to an anatomical recess of the limb, the frame assembly including at least one spring-loaded strip, the strip being radially spring-loaded towards a center of the frame assembly, the frame assembly including a mounting portion configured to removably couple an electrical stimulator thereto such that the electrical stimulator is supported by the frame assembly, the mounting portion being disposed between the locator and the first end portion of the frame assembly; and an electrode base coupled to an inner surface of the frame assembly, the electrode base configured to be coupled to a surface electrode, the electrode base being disposed between the locator and the second end portion of the frame assembly, and the frame assembly configured such that the surface electrode is disposed at a predetermined position overlying a target stimulation point of the limb when the frame assembly substantially envelops the portion of the limb. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification