Powered Orthotic Device and Method of Using Same

• US 20090227925A1
• Filed: 03/18/2009
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Myomo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Myomo, Inc.
• Inventors: Narendran, Kailas, McBean, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,585,620 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0127 for the feet A61F5/0111 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/013 for the arms, hands or fingers A61F5/0118 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/008 Apparatus for applying pressure or blows almost perpendicular to the body or limb axis, e.g. chiropractic devices for repositioning vertebrae, correcting deformation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/02 Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A powered orthotic system comprising:

a wearable component including;

a brace having a first section and a second section, the first and second sections coupled to each other at a pivot, each section 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 movable with respect to each other to define flexion and extension directions;

an electromyographic sensor;

an electrically powered actuator assembly in communication with the electromyographic sensor, the actuator assembly coupled to the first and the second sections so as to apply a force that moves the first and the second sections in at least one of the flexion and extension directions, the force based on signals from the electromyographic sensor, the actuator assembly positioned proximate to the pivot; and

a controller in communication with the actuator assembly that provides system parameters to control operation of the actuator assembly; and

a control unit in communication with the wearable component, the control unit including;

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.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable component further includes a user interface, in communication with the controller, that permits user selection of operational modes of the wearable component.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein a single input at the wearable component'"'"'s user interface causes a plurality of system parameters to be modified in the controller.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable component further includes a battery coupled to the electrically powered actuator assembly.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit and the wearable component are in wireless communication with each other.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional wearable components, each additional wearable component in communication with the control unit.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the control unit and each wearable component are in wireless communication with each other.

8. The system of claim 6, further comprising one or more additional control units, each additional control unit in communication with one or more of the wearable components.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional control units, each additional control unit in communication with the wearable component.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable component further includes memory, coupled to the controller, that stores the system parameters.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is removably attachable to the wearable component.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable component further includes a plurality of electromyographic sensors.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit includes an auto-calibration mode in which an initial electromyographic signal level is measured for one or more muscles of a user when the muscles are at-rest, and the initial electromyographic signal level is used to adjust a electromyographic signal level measured during subsequent operation of the wearable component.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit includes an auto-calibration mode in which a user-specific force profile is determined automatically by moving the first section relative to the second section in a desired direction to achieve a desired range of motion of the first limb segment relative to the second limb segment.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a force profile override in order to accept manual adjustment of a user-specific force profile, and the wearable component further includes a user interface, in communication with the controller, for invoking the override and providing manual adjustment of the user-specific force profile.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a limb-lock mode in which the first and the second sections are locked into position relative to one another in response to a user command.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the user command is a muscle movement that is detected by the sensor.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the user command is verbal.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the user command is tactile.

20. An improved electrically powered orthotic device of the type having a brace with first and second sections that can be coupled respectively to first and second limb segments moveable with respect to a joint, so as to apply a force, through the sections, about the joint, wherein the improvement comprises:

a wearable component containing all components necessary for normal operation of the device including an electric actuator coupled to the brace to cause application of the force, a controller in communication with the electric actuator, a sensor, and a communication port; and

a control unit including user interface, a processor coupled to the user interface, memory, and a communication port, wherein the control unit can be placed in communication with the component, via the communication port of the control unit and the communication port of the component, in order to modify parameters of the controller.