Method and System for Energy Returning Ankle Foot Orthosis (ERAFO)
AssigneeUniversity of Virginia Patent Foundation
InventorsMark F. Abel, Paul E. Allaire, Bradford C. Bennett, Adam C. Wolovick
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Abstract
An orthotic device/system and method including at least one energy storage component and at least one trigger component which prevents release of the stored energy until the desired point in the movement cycle of an extremity. Use of the device/system and method permits, among other things, the orthosis to capture energy from the force present between a patient and a supporting surface and return it at a specified point in the movement cycle of the subject's extremity.
Claims24
An orthotic device for use on a subject during one or more movement cycles comprising:
- an energy storage component which stores mechanical energy generated by the forces between the subject and a supporting surface during a portion of the movement cycle, and
- a trigger component which prevents the release of the stored mechanical energy until a specific point in the movement cycle of an extremity of the subject.
A method of using a orthotic device disposed on a subject, said method comprising:
- storing mechanical energy generated by the forces between the subject and a supporting surface during a portion of a movement cycle, and
- preventing the release of the stored mechanical energy until a specific point in the movement cycle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.