Machine to human interfaces for communication from a lower extremity orthotic
First Claim
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1. A lower extremity orthosis configured to be coupled to a person, the orthosis comprising:
- a torso link configured to be coupled to a torso of the person,at least one leg link configured to be coupled to a leg of the person,at least one actuator configured to shift the at least one leg link with respect to the torso link,a plurality of sensors configured to measure at least one of an orientation and forces of the orthosis and the person,a controller configured to receive signals from the plurality of sensors, estimate at least one feedback ready value based on signals from the plurality of sensors, and control the at least one actuator to assist a gait or movement of the person, andat least one feedback system operated by the controller and configured to communicate the at least one feedback ready value to the person, whereby the orthosis provides the person with orthosis operational information not otherwise available to the person, wherein the at least one feedback system includes at least one of (1) at least one light corresponding to each of the at least one actuator, the at least one light indicating an effort being produced by the orthosis at that corresponding actuator, and (2) a display mounted in a field of view of the person, the display overlaying graphics so that the graphics indicate locations on a support surface.
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Abstract
An exoskeleton includes a control system which incorporates a feedback system used to establish and communicate orthosis operational information to a physical therapist and/or to an exoskeleton user. The feedback system can take various forms, including employing sensors to establish a feedback ready value and communicating the value through one or more light sources which can be in close proximity to joints of the exoskeleton joints.
26 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A lower extremity orthosis configured to be coupled to a person, the orthosis comprising:
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a torso link configured to be coupled to a torso of the person, at least one leg link configured to be coupled to a leg of the person, at least one actuator configured to shift the at least one leg link with respect to the torso link, a plurality of sensors configured to measure at least one of an orientation and forces of the orthosis and the person, a controller configured to receive signals from the plurality of sensors, estimate at least one feedback ready value based on signals from the plurality of sensors, and control the at least one actuator to assist a gait or movement of the person, and at least one feedback system operated by the controller and configured to communicate the at least one feedback ready value to the person, whereby the orthosis provides the person with orthosis operational information not otherwise available to the person, wherein the at least one feedback system includes at least one of (1) at least one light corresponding to each of the at least one actuator, the at least one light indicating an effort being produced by the orthosis at that corresponding actuator, and (2) a display mounted in a field of view of the person, the display overlaying graphics so that the graphics indicate locations on a support surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating a lower extremity orthosis including a torso link configured to be coupled to a torso of a person, at least one leg link configured to be coupled to a leg of the person, at least one actuator configured to shift the at least one leg link relative to the torso link, a plurality of sensors configured to measure at least one of an orientation and forces of the orthosis or person, and a feedback system configured to communicate to the person, said method comprising:
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controlling the at least one actuator to assist a gait of the person, estimating at least one feedback ready value based on signals from the plurality of sensors, and communicating the at least one feedback ready value to the person with the feedback system in order to provide the person with orthosis operational information not otherwise available to the person, wherein the at least one feedback system includes at least one of (1) at least one light corresponding to each of the at least one actuator, the at least one light indicating an effort being produced by the orthosis at that corresponding actuator, and (2) a display mounted in a field of view of the person, said method further comprising overlaying graphics so that the graphics indicate locations on a support surface. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of controlling a lower extremity orthosis including a torso link configured to be coupled to a torso of a person, at least one leg link configured to be coupled to a leg of the person, at least one actuator configured to shift the at least one leg link with respect to the torso link, a plurality of sensors configured to monitor the orthosis, and at least one light, said method comprising:
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receiving signals from the plurality of sensors and controlling the at least one actuator to assist a gait of the person, and controlling the at least one light to continuously indicate an effort produced by the at least one actuator, whereby the orthosis provides a visual indication of assistance provided by the orthosis. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification