Powered orthotic device and method of using same
First Claim
1. A powered orthotic device comprising:
- a brace having a first section and a second section, the first section and the second section operationally coupled at a pivot, the first and the second sections moving about the pivot to define flexion and extension directions, such directions defining inside and outside regions of the brace respectively, the brace configured to removably attach the first section and the second section to a corresponding limb segment such that the pivot is proximate to a joint between each limb segment;
an electromyographic sensor; and
an electrically powered actuator assembly in communication with the electromyographic sensor, the actuator assembly mounted to the brace, and occupying a volume of which a majority is disposed proximately to the outside region of the brace, and coupled to the first and the second sections of the brace so as to apply a force for driving the first and second sections about the pivot, the force based on signals from the electromyographic sensor, wherein the actuator assembly includes a motor in a housing and a drive assembly coupled to the motor and coupled to the first and second sections of the brace, the housing disposed proximate to the pivot and coupled to the brace at the pivot, and having a longitudinal axis that is parallel to, and non-coaxial with, an axis of rotation of the joint and the drive assembly disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing;
so that the brace and the actuator assembly form a wearable component.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A powered orthotic device includes a brace having a first section and a second section, the first section and the second section operationally coupled at a pivot, the first and the second sections moving about the pivot to define flexion and extension directions, such directions defining inside and outside regions of the brace respectively. The device further includes at least one set of straps that removably attach the first section and the second section to a corresponding limb segment such that the pivot is proximate to a joint between each limb segment. The device also includes and an electromyographic sensor and an actuator assembly in communication with the electromyographic sensor, the actuator assembly mounted to the brace, and occupying a volume of which a majority is disposed proximately to the outside region of the brace, and coupled to the first and second sections of the brace so as to apply a force for driving the first and second sections about the pivot, the force based on signals from the electromyographic sensor.
67 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A powered orthotic device comprising:
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a brace having a first section and a second section, the first section and the second section operationally coupled at a pivot, the first and the second sections moving about the pivot to define flexion and extension directions, such directions defining inside and outside regions of the brace respectively, the brace configured to removably attach the first section and the second section to a corresponding limb segment such that the pivot is proximate to a joint between each limb segment; an electromyographic sensor; and an electrically powered actuator assembly in communication with the electromyographic sensor, the actuator assembly mounted to the brace, and occupying a volume of which a majority is disposed proximately to the outside region of the brace, and coupled to the first and the second sections of the brace so as to apply a force for driving the first and second sections about the pivot, the force based on signals from the electromyographic sensor, wherein the actuator assembly includes a motor in a housing and a drive assembly coupled to the motor and coupled to the first and second sections of the brace, the housing disposed proximate to the pivot and coupled to the brace at the pivot, and having a longitudinal axis that is parallel to, and non-coaxial with, an axis of rotation of the joint and the drive assembly disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing; so that the brace and the actuator assembly form a wearable component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A powered orthotic device comprising:
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a brace having a first section and a second section, the first section and the second section operationally coupled at a pivot, the first and the second sections moving about the pivot to define flexion and extension directions, the brace configured to removably attach the first section and the second section to a corresponding limb segment such that the pivot is proximate to a joint between each limb segment; an electromyographic sensor; an actuator assembly in communication with the electromyographic sensor, the actuator assembly mounted to the brace and coupled to the first and the second sections of the brace so as to apply a force for driving the first and second sections about the pivot, the force based on signals from the electromyographic sensor, wherein the actuator assembly includes a motor in a housing and a drive assembly coupled to the motor and coupled to the first and second sections of the brace, the housing disposed proximate to the pivot and coupled to the brace at the pivot, and having a longitudinal axis that is parallel to, and non-coaxial with, an axis of rotation of the joint and the drive assembly disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing, so that the brace and the actuator assembly form a wearable component; a controller coupled to the actuator assembly that controls operation of the actuator assembly; and a user interface, coupled to the controller, that permits user adjustment of force parameters of the actuator assembly. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A powered orthotic device comprising:
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a brace having a first section and a second section, the first section and the second section operationally coupled at a pivot, the brace configured to removably attach the first section and the second section to a corresponding limb segment such that the pivot is proximate to a joint between each limb segment; an electromyographic sensor; an actuator assembly in communication with the electromyographic sensor, the actuator assembly mounted to the brace and coupled to the first and the second sections of the brace so as to apply a force for driving the first and second sections about the pivot, the force based on signals from the electromyographic sensor, wherein the actuator assembly includes a motor in a housing and a drive assembly coupled to the motor and coupled to the first and second sections of the brace, the housing disposed proximate to the pivot and coupled to the brace at the pivot, and having a longitudinal axis that is parallel to, and non-coaxial with, an axis of rotation of the joint and the drive assembly disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing, so that the brace and the actuator assembly form a wearable component; a controller coupled to the actuator assembly that controls operation of the actuator assembly; and a user interface, coupled to the controller, that permits user selection of operational mode of the device from among at least two of high assist, low assist, resistive, therapeutic training, and functional assistive. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A powered orthotic device for use by a user having a pair of limb segments movable with respect to a joint, the device comprising:
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a brace having a first section and a second section, the sections operationally coupled to each other at a pivot, each section corresponding to one of the pair of limb segments, the sections moving with respect to each other to define flexion and extension directions, the brace configured to removably attach at least one of the sections to its corresponding limb segment of the joint; a control system; an electromyographic sensor coupled to the control system; an actuator assembly coupled to the control system so as to apply a force driving the first and second sections in at least one of the flexion and extension directions, the force based on signals from the electromyographic sensor, wherein the actuator assembly includes a motor in a housing and a drive assembly coupled to the motor and coupled to the first and second sections of the brace, the housing disposed proximate to the pivot and coupled to the brace at the pivot, and having a longitudinal axis that is parallel to, and non-coaxial with, an axis of rotation of the joint and the drive assembly disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing, so that the brace and the actuator assembly form a wearable component; and a user interface coupled to the control system, such interface accessible to and operable by the user in the course of operation of the device, by which the user may adjust at least one parameter affecting operation of the device. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification