Orthosis for a gait modulation system
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a frame configured to substantially envelop a portion of a limb, the frame including a retention portion and a mounting portion, the retention portion configured to retain the frame about the portion of the limb, the mounting portion configured to be coupled to an electrical stimulator;
an inner layer coupled to an inner surface of the frame;
an electrode base coupled to the inner layer, the electrode base configured to couple a surface electrode to the inner layer, the frame and the inner layer of the frame collectively configured such that the electrode base is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the portion of the limb when the frame and the inner layer are disposed about the portion of the limb, the predetermined position being adjacent a muscle such that electrical stimulation applied at the predetermined position via the surface electrode results in dorsiflexion of a foot; and
a connector assembly configured to electrically couple the stimulator to the electrode base, at least a portion of the connector assembly disposed within a connector opening defined by the frame.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A functional electrical stimulation (FES) orthosis for FES to a limb segment, including: (a) a semi-rigid, self-retaining C-shaped frame, the frame configured to substantially envelop the limb segment, the frame including a first flexible and elongated circumferentially retaining element and at least a first and a second opposing flexible and elongated circumferentially retaining elements disposed on the circumferentially opposite side of the frame, the first retaining element and the first opposing retaining element forming a pair of opposing retaining elements, and (b) a surface electrical stimulation electrode for contacting at least one stimulation point on a surface of the limb segment, associated with, and supported by, the frame, the surface electrode for electrically associating, via the frame, with a neuroprosthetic stimulator unit, so as to provide FES, wherein the opposing retaining elements are configured to be radially spring-loaded towards a center of the frame, such that in donning the orthosis around the limb segment, the limb segment applies a counter-pressure from within the frame, against the opposing retaining elements, such that the orthosis is firmly and fixedly self-retained in a pre-determined position on the surface.
138 Citations
33 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a frame configured to substantially envelop a portion of a limb, the frame including a retention portion and a mounting portion, the retention portion configured to retain the frame about the portion of the limb, the mounting portion configured to be coupled to an electrical stimulator; an inner layer coupled to an inner surface of the frame; an electrode base coupled to the inner layer, the electrode base configured to couple a surface electrode to the inner layer, the frame and the inner layer of the frame collectively configured such that the electrode base is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the portion of the limb when the frame and the inner layer are disposed about the portion of the limb, the predetermined position being adjacent a muscle such that electrical stimulation applied at the predetermined position via the surface electrode results in dorsiflexion of a foot; and a connector assembly configured to electrically couple the stimulator to the electrode base, at least a portion of the connector assembly disposed within a connector opening defined by the frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus, comprising:
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a frame assembly configured to substantially envelop a portion of a limb, the frame assembly including a retention portion and a mounting portion, the retention portion configured to retain the frame about the portion of the limb, the mounting portion configured to be coupled to an electrical stimulator; an electrode base coupled to an inner surface of the frame assembly, the electrode base configured to couple a surface electrode to the inner surface, the frame assembly configured such that the electrode base is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the portion of the limb when the frame assembly is disposed about the portion of the limb, the predetermined position being adjacent a muscle such that electrical stimulation applied at the predetermined position via the surface electrode results in dorsiflexion of a foot; a connector assembly configured to electrically couple the stimulator to the electrode base, at least a portion of the connector assembly disposed within a connector opening defined by the frame assembly; and a fastening strap configured to removably couple the frame assembly to the portion of the limb, a first portion of the fastening strap fixedly coupled to the frame assembly, a second portion of the fastening strap configured to be disposed about the electrical stimulator. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus, comprising:
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a frame assembly configured to substantially envelop a portion of a limb, the frame assembly including a retention portion and a mounting portion, the retention portion including a first member and a second member, an end portion of the first member spaced apart from an end portion of the second member to define an opening through which the portion of the limb is disposed when the frame is being donned, the mounting portion configured to be coupled to an electrical stimulator; an electrode base coupled to an inner surface of the frame assembly, the electrode base configured to couple a surface electrode to the inner surface, the frame assembly configured such that the electrode base is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the portion of the limb when the frame assembly is disposed about the portion of the limb, the predetermined position being adjacent a muscle such that electrical stimulation of the portion of the limb via the surface electrode results in dorsiflexion of a foot; a connector assembly configured to electrically couple the stimulator to the electrode base, at least a portion of the connector assembly disposed within a connector opening defined by the frame assembly; and a fastening strap configured to be coupled across the opening to secure the frame to the portion of the limb, the first member and the second member collectively configured to substantially retain the frame about the portion of the limb before the fastening strap is coupled across the opening. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An apparatus, comprising:
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a frame configured to substantially envelop a portion of a limb, the frame including a retention portion and a mounting portion, the retention portion configured to retain the frame about the portion of the limb, the mounting portion configured to be coupled to an electrical stimulator; an inner layer coupled to an inner surface of the frame; an electrode base coupled to the inner layer, the electrode base including a hook and loop fastener configured to reversibly couple a surface electrode to the inner layer, the frame and the inner layer of the frame collectively configured such that the electrode base is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the portion of the limb when the frame and the inner layer are disposed about the portion of the limb; and a connector assembly configured to electrically couple the stimulator to the electrode base, at least a portion of the connector assembly disposed within a connector opening defined by the frame. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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Specification