Powered joint orthosis
AssigneeBionx Medical Technologies, Inc.
InventorsZhixiu Han, Christopher Williams, Jeff Anthony Weber, Christopher Eric Barnhart, Hugh M. Herr, Richard James Casler, JR.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A powered device augments a joint function of a human during a gait cycle using a powered actuator that supplies an augmentation torque, an impedance, or both to a joint, and a controller that modulates the augmentation torque, the impedance, and a joint equilibrium according to a phase of the gait cycle to provide at least a biomimetic response. Accordingly, the device is capable of normalizing or augmenting human biomechanical function, responsive to a wearer's activity, regardless of speed and terrain.
Claims18
1-32. (canceled)
A powered method for augmenting a joint function of a human during a gait cycle, the method comprising:
- supplying at least one of an augmentation torque and an impedance to a joint;
- and
- modulating the augmentation torque, the impedance, and a joint equilibrium according to
- a phase of the gait cycle to provide at least a biomimetic response.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.