Walking assistance system
First Claim
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1. A walking assistance system comprising:
- left and right leg braces for supporting a handicapped person in a standing position, said braces being configured for restricting the legs of said person to forward and rearward movement,interconnection means for causing forward movement of a nonweight bearing one of said braces in response to extension of a weight bearing opposite hip of said personfirst and second stimulation means for stimulating controlled contractions of the left and right hip extension muscles respectively of said person, andcontrol means for selective activation by said person to cause alternate operation of said first and second stimulation means and resultant steps defining a walking motion.
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Abstract
A walking assistance system comprising a pair of reciprocating braces and computer controlled stimulation electrodes for stimulating alternating extension of the left and right hips of an assisted person. The braces include left and right leg portions which are interconnected by cables in such a manner as to produce forward motion of either leg when the weight of the person is resting on the opposite leg and the hip of the weight bearing leg is stimulated into extension. The braces are equipped with knee locks which may be unlocked to permit assumption of a sitting position. The cables are also operatively disengaged during sitting.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A walking assistance system comprising:
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left and right leg braces for supporting a handicapped person in a standing position, said braces being configured for restricting the legs of said person to forward and rearward movement, interconnection means for causing forward movement of a nonweight bearing one of said braces in response to extension of a weight bearing opposite hip of said person first and second stimulation means for stimulating controlled contractions of the left and right hip extension muscles respectively of said person, and control means for selective activation by said person to cause alternate operation of said first and second stimulation means and resultant steps defining a walking motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of assisting a seated handicapped person to rise and walk comprising the steps of:
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restricting the legs of said person to forward and rearward movement, simultaneously stimulating the extension muscles for both knees of said person to produce a rising motion, simultaneously stimulating the extension muscles for both hips of said person to produce an erect standing position, mechanically interconnecting the hips of said person so that supported extension of one hip produces flexion of the other, and alternately stimulating said hip extension muscles to produce opposite hip flexion and a resultant walking sequence; said person participating in such method by leaning forward from an initial sitting position and by alternately shifting his weight from hip to hip during said walking sequence. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification