US 7,985,193 B2 · Intelligent orthosis

Abstract

An orthotic frame has proximal and distal frame members joined by a knee joint, and a foot support joined by an ankle joint to a distal end of the distal frame. A knee actuator connected between the proximal and distal frame members has a selective stiffness allowing selection of a relatively rigid stiffness during stance and a relatively flexible stiffness during swing. The stiffness of the knee actuator is selected according to the gait cycle, either mechanically according to dorsal flexion of the ankle joint or electronically according to gait cycle phases recognized based on read sensor data. An ambulatory unit gathers data from sensors located on the orthotic frame. Sensor data may be provided to a base unit for diagnostic and biomechanical evaluation, or evaluated by the ambulatory unit to control active components of the orthotic frame according to the recognized gait cycle phases for functional compensation.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An actuator having a variable compressive stiffness for placement on an orthosis having a joint portion and arranged for biomechanical functional compensation of ambulatory disorders, comprising:

a first cylinder;
a second cylinder slidably disposed at least partially within the first cylinder and biased toward an extended position by a first biasing member;
a shaft slidably disposed at least partially within the second cylinder and biased toward an extended position by a second biasing member;
and
a locking mechanism movable between a locked position providing a first resistance wherein the first and second cylinders are locked together in a fixed position, and an unlocked position providing a second resistance wherein the first and second cylinders are movable relative to one another;
wherein the actuator is placed at a joint portion located on the orthosis.

3 more elements

An orthosis for biomechanical evaluation and functional compensation of ambulatory disorders, comprising:

an orthotic frame having a proximal frame adapted for fitting to a user's upper leg, a distal frame adapted for fitting to the user's lower leg, a foot support, a knee joint coupling a distal end of said proximal frame to a proximal end of said distal frame, and an ankle joint coupling a distal end of said distal frame to said foot support;
a knee actuator disposed on the orthotic frame and configured to control flexion of the knee joint according to a variable resistance;
an ankle actuator coupled between said distal frame and said foot support providing a dorsal bias to position said foot support against dorsal flexion and a plantar bias to position said foot support against plantar flexion, whereby the ankle actuator controls flexion of said ankle joint;
and
a control element connected to the knee actuator and at least one of the ankle joint and foot support, the control element movable according to an angle of one of the ankle joint and the foot support, the control element arranged to activate the knee actuator when the ankle joint or the foot support reaches a predetermined degree of flexion.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Intelligent orthosis

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Intelligent orthosis

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20