POWER REGENERATION IN ACTIVE MUSCLE ASSISTANCE DEVICE AND METHOD
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for reducing muscle stress, comprising:
- a brace having a first portion and a second portion movably coupled to the first portion, the first portion configured to be fastened to a first part of a user'"'"'s body and the second portion configured to be fastened to a second part of the user'"'"'s body;
a detector operative to detect an intention to exert a muscle by detecting an amount of muscle stress;
an actuator coupled to the brace, the actuator operative, when energized, to exert force between the first and second portions; and
a controller coupled to the actuator and responsive to the detector, the controller configured to vary an amount of force exerted by the actuator between the first and second portions depending on the amount of muscle stress detected by the detector, wherein varying the amount of force exerted by the actuator reduces stress in the muscle intended to be exerted.
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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.
126 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for reducing muscle stress, comprising:
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a brace having a first portion and a second portion movably coupled to the first portion, the first portion configured to be fastened to a first part of a user'"'"'s body and the second portion configured to be fastened to a second part of the user'"'"'s body; a detector operative to detect an intention to exert a muscle by detecting an amount of muscle stress; an actuator coupled to the brace, the actuator operative, when energized, to exert force between the first and second portions; and a controller coupled to the actuator and responsive to the detector, the controller configured to vary an amount of force exerted by the actuator between the first and second portions depending on the amount of muscle stress detected by the detector, wherein varying the amount of force exerted by the actuator reduces stress in the muscle intended to be exerted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of reducing muscle stress, comprising:
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fastening a first portion of a brace to a first part of a user'"'"'s body and a second portion of a brace to a second part of the user'"'"'s body, the first portion and the second portion being movably coupled; detecting an intention to exert a muscle by detecting an amount of muscle stress; and applying an amount of force between the first and second portions, the amount of force applied varied based on the amount of muscle stress detected such that stress in the muscle intended to be exerted is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification