Multi-fit orthotic and mobility assistance apparatus
First Claim
1. A multi-fit orthotic system using a textile-based suspension, the system comprising:
- a plurality of orthotic structures comprising a linearly-aligned configuration and a non-linearly aligned configuration adapted to accommodate subjects with a non-linear leg structure;
a plurality of independent suspension textiles, each coupled with one of the plurality of orthotic structures, wherein each independent suspension textile conforms closely to a subject to accommodate a wide range of subjects without a custom fit;
a plurality of independent tensioning systems including a cable reel tensioning system, each of the independent tensioning systems integrated into one of the plurality of independent suspension textiles, each of the independent tensioning systems configured to adjustably apply tension to the associated suspension textile to affect fit of the multi-fit orthotic system to the subject,wherein the multi-fit orthotic system is configured to attach directly to the subject to provide assistance to the subject including one or more of active mobility assistance, continuous passive motion and robotic therapy; and
an actuator integrated with at least one of the plurality of orthotic structures and configured to deliver torque to the plurality of orthotic structures in the linearly aligned or non-linearly aligned configurations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-fit orthotic structure including an attachment system for coupling the orthotic structure to a wide variety of subjects without requiring a custom fit. In one embodiment, active mobility assistance is provided via an orthotic system capable of integrating a linear actuator and linkage system to deliver torque to the lower leg of a subject to facilitate flexion and/or extension motion of the subject'"'"'s leg. The orthotic structure is attached to the subject using a textile suspension system which does not require the orthotic structure to interface directly in the knee region or at the lateral areas of the thigh and calf of the subject, thus providing an ideal fit for the widest possible range of subjects with the minimum number of required sizes.
235 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A multi-fit orthotic system using a textile-based suspension, the system comprising:
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a plurality of orthotic structures comprising a linearly-aligned configuration and a non-linearly aligned configuration adapted to accommodate subjects with a non-linear leg structure; a plurality of independent suspension textiles, each coupled with one of the plurality of orthotic structures, wherein each independent suspension textile conforms closely to a subject to accommodate a wide range of subjects without a custom fit; a plurality of independent tensioning systems including a cable reel tensioning system, each of the independent tensioning systems integrated into one of the plurality of independent suspension textiles, each of the independent tensioning systems configured to adjustably apply tension to the associated suspension textile to affect fit of the multi-fit orthotic system to the subject, wherein the multi-fit orthotic system is configured to attach directly to the subject to provide assistance to the subject including one or more of active mobility assistance, continuous passive motion and robotic therapy; and an actuator integrated with at least one of the plurality of orthotic structures and configured to deliver torque to the plurality of orthotic structures in the linearly aligned or non-linearly aligned configurations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of providing assistance to a subject comprising:
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attaching a multi-fit orthotic structure to the subject'"'"'s leg, the multi-fit orthotic structure comprising an upper leg orthotic portion and a lower leg orthotic portion; conforming the multi-fit orthotic structure to the subject'"'"'s leg structure; and actuating a plurality of non-elastic independent tensioning systems integrated into the multi-fit orthotic structure to adjust fit to the subject, the plurality of independent tensioning systems comprising a plurality of independent cable reel tensioning systems, each coupled with a plurality of independent suspension textiles integrated into the orthotic structure, wherein at least one of the independent tensioning systems is configured to keep a portion of the multi-fit orthotic structure from coming into direct contact with the subject. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A multi-fit orthotic apparatus using a textile-based suspension, the apparatus comprising:
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a thigh orthotic structure coupled with a thigh suspension textile; a lower leg orthotic structure movably coupled with the thigh orthotic structure and coupled with a lower leg suspension textile, the lower leg orthotic structure comprising a non-linearly aligned configuration and a linearly aligned configuration relative to the thigh orthotic structure; wherein each suspension textile is configured to conform closely to a subject to accommodate a wide range of subjects without a custom fit, and at least one of the suspension textiles is configured to keep one of the orthotic structures from coming into direct contact with the subject'"'"'s leg; an actuator configured to deliver torque to the lower leg orthotic structure in the non-linearly aligned configuration or linearly aligned configuration; and a footpad sensor system including at least one pressure sensor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A multi-fit orthotic apparatus comprising:
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a thigh orthotic structure configured to be coupled to a thigh of a subject; a lower leg orthotic structure movably coupled with the thigh orthotic structure and configured to be coupled with a lower leg of the subject; a tibia structure adjustably coupled to an anterior portion of the lower leg orthotic structure, such that the position of the tibia structure may be adjusted relative to the anterior portion of the lower leg orthotic structure and the thigh orthotic structure, the tibia structure capable of moving to a linearly aligned configuration or a non-linearly aligned configuration relative to the thigh orthotic structure; and an actuator adapted to deliver torque to the tibia structure in the non-linearly aligned or linearly aligned configurations. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification