Hands-Free Walking Devices and Methods
AssigneeUtah State University
InventorScott Greenhalgh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Hands-free walking devices and methods of constructing the same are described herein. The devices can include a receiving member to receive a portion of a patient's leg above a patient's knee and one or more hinges connected to the receiving member. One or more vertical members can be each connected to one of the hinges. A ground-contact member can be connected to the vertical members. The receiving member can transfer at least a portion of the patient's weight through the vertical members to the ground-contact member. The hinges can rotate about an axis about which the patient's knee also rotates while walking to support a natural gait.
Claims23
A hands-free walking device, comprising:
- a receiving member configured to receive a portion of a patient's leg above a patient's knee;
- one or more hinges connected to the receiving member, wherein each hinge is configured to articulate about an axis about which the patient's knee also rotates;
- one or more vertical members, wherein each vertical member is connected to one of the one or more hinges;
- and
- a ground-contact member connected to the one or more vertical members and configured to contact the ground, wherein at least a portion of a patient's weight is transferred from the receiving member through the one or more hinges and the one or more vertical members to the ground-contact member in contact with the ground such that a patient's foot is oriented and spaced above the ground-contact member.
A method of constructing a hands-free walking device, comprising:
- configuring a receiving member to receive a portion of a patient's leg;
- connecting one or more hinges to the receiving member, wherein each hinge is configured to articulate about an axis about which a patient's knee also rotates;
- connecting one or more vertical members to each of the one or more hinges;
- connecting a damper to each vertical member, respectively, and connecting each damper to the receiving member;
- connecting a ground-contact member to the vertical members wherein at least some of a patient's weight is transferred from the receiving member through the dampers and the vertical members to the ground-contact member;
- determining an amount of weight to be borne by an injured portion of the patient's leg;
- and
- optionally configuring a saddle to support a patient's foot and transfer the amount of weight through at least one resilient member and the vertical members to the ground-contact member, wherein:
- the saddle is positioned above the ground-contact member;
- and
- a spring constant of the at least one resilient member is proportional to the amount of weight transferred by the saddle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.