INTENTION-BASED THERAPY DEVICE AND METHOD
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An active muscle assistance apparatus, comprising:
- a brace having a first portion configured to be fastened to a user'"'"'s limb above a joint of the limb and a second portion movably coupled to the first portion and configured to be fastened to the limb below the joint;
a pressure sensor attached to the brace configured to detect pressure on the limb;
a joint angle sensor configured to detect an angle of the joint;
an actuator coupled to the brace, the actuator operative, when energized, to exert force between the first and second portions to assist movement of the limb; and
a controller coupled to the actuator and responsive to the pressure sensor and the joint angle sensor, the controller configured to trigger the actuator to apply force between the first and second portions to assist movement of the limb if the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is over a threshold amount and if the angle of the joint detected by the joint angle sensor indicates that the limb is bent.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling movement using an active powered device including an actuator, joint position sensor, muscle stress sensor, and control system. The device provides primarily muscle support although it is capable of additionally providing joint support (hence the name “active muscle assistance device”). The device is designed for operation in several modes to provide either assistance or resistance to a muscle for the purpose of enhancing mobility, preventing injury, or building muscle strength. The device is designed to operate autonomously or coupled with other like device(s) to provide simultaneous assistance or resistance to multiple muscles.
20 Citations
27 Claims
-
1. An active muscle assistance apparatus, comprising:
-
a brace having a first portion configured to be fastened to a user'"'"'s limb above a joint of the limb and a second portion movably coupled to the first portion and configured to be fastened to the limb below the joint; a pressure sensor attached to the brace configured to detect pressure on the limb; a joint angle sensor configured to detect an angle of the joint; an actuator coupled to the brace, the actuator operative, when energized, to exert force between the first and second portions to assist movement of the limb; and a controller coupled to the actuator and responsive to the pressure sensor and the joint angle sensor, the controller configured to trigger the actuator to apply force between the first and second portions to assist movement of the limb if the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is over a threshold amount and if the angle of the joint detected by the joint angle sensor indicates that the limb is bent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of assisting movement of a user'"'"'s limb, comprising:
-
fastening a first portion of a brace to the limb above a joint of the limb and a second portion of a brace to the limb below the joint, the first portion and the second portion being movably coupled; detecting a pressure on the limb; detecting an angle of the joint; and applying an amount of force between the first and second portions to assist movement of the limb if the detected pressure exceeds a threshold and if the detected joint angle indicates that the limb is bent. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
Specification