Abstract:
Attachments, apparatuses, and methods for partial weight bearing gait training are described. Attachments for partial weight bearing gait training may include a structure sized and configured for attachment to a walker, an undampened elastic member, and a harness. Apparatuses may include a walker with a walker frame and at least two wheels, a harness support base frame connected to the walker, a suspension arm coupled to the harness support base frame, an undampened elastic member connected to the suspension arm, and a harness connected to the undampened elastic member. Related methods of assembling a gait training apparatus and of using a gait training device are also described.
Abstract:
A joint-movement assisting device including: (i) an assist force control member to adjust an output level of a driving member in order to bring a load acting on an assist force transmission part to a targeted assist force during action of an assist force; (ii) a slack prevention control member to operate the driving member and exert a bias force on the assist force transmission part in order to eliminate a slack thereof during non-action of the assist force; and a load sensor to detect the load acting on the assist force transmission part in a direction of tension. For at least one of the assist force control member and the slack prevention control member, the driving member is feedback-controlled based on a detection value by the load sensor in order to bring the acting load to the targeted assist force or bias force.
Abstract:
A spinal decompression machine includes a portable frame, a user support element, a laterally positioned handle extending from the frame, and a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the handle. A force bar operatively coupled to the drive mechanism extends longitudinally beyond a longitudinal end of the frame. A harness is attached to the first force bar. The drive mechanism causes the force bar to move longitudinally upon rotation of the handle. A method of providing traction includes positioning a person in a face up position upon the user support element, attaching a harness to a neck or pelvis of the person, the harness attached to a cervical traction bar or a pelvic traction bar, and moving the cervical fraction bar and pelvic fraction bar simultaneously in a common longitudinal direction by moving a handle.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns a pelvic fastener for lumbar traction of physical therapy device and head fastener for cervical traction, which supports a pelvis in a comfortable and firm manner, maintains a predetermined level of traction intensity without being detached or slid down, maximizes a treatment effect by concentrating a traction force on the lumbar and preventing power dispersion, is intended for patient treatment or correction by means of cervical traction, and does not pressurize a patient's head or function in an unstable manner. For a traction therapy device comprising a bed plate (2) disposed at an upper portion of a frame (1) such that the bed plate (2) may move backwards and forwards and a pelvic bed (3) attached to an upper portion of the bed plate (2) to support the lumbar, the pelvic support structure of the present invention comprises: brackets (10) connected by means of shafts (H1) to both front sides of the bed plate (2) in a rotatable manner; pelvic supporters (20) connected by means of shafts (H2) to upper portions of the brackets (10) in a rotatable manner and having a curved shape to surround a pelvis; pelvic cushions (30) disposed at inner surfaces of the pelvic supporters (20) to come into tight contact with the pelvis; and female and male buckles (40 and 50) connected to upper portions of the pelvic supporters (20) and the pelvic cushions (30) by means of bands (41 and 51), the female and male buckles (40 and 50) being one-touch detachable type.
Abstract:
An apparatus for automated walking training includes a frame or treadmill having a driven treadmill belt and a pelvis attachment to support a position and weight of a user. The pelvis attachment includes a displacement unit for allowing a movement of the user's pelvis held by attachment elements transverse to and/or rotating about a perpendicular axis to the walking direction of the treadmill to provide a more natural and physiological gait during training. A weight suspension unit having a cable guided over a guide roller positioned above and attached to the pelvis attachment may include a displacement unit adapted to move the guide roller perpendicular to the diverted section of the cable to influence the transverse position of an upper body of the user as well as to prevent a pendulum effect of the trunk of his body.
Abstract:
A powered exoskeleton configured to be coupled to lower limbs of a person is controlled to impart a movement desired by the person. The intent of the person is determined by a controller based on monitoring at least one of: positional changes in an arm portion of the person, positional changes in a head of the person, an orientation of a walking aid employed by the person, a contact force between a walking aid employed by the person and a support surface, a force imparted by the person on the walking aid, a force imparted by the person on the walking aid, a relative orientation of the exoskeleton, moveable components of the exoskeleton and the person, and relative velocities between the exoskeleton, moveable components of the exoskeleton and the person.
Abstract:
A support device (5) arranged to be removably secured to a user and having vertical (16) and horizontal (18) members. In one arrangement, a lower support assembly is arranged for attachment to the user's leg so that the support device assists the user in lifting the leg while taking a step. In an alternative arrangement, the lower support assembly is attached to the lower trunk of the user so that the support device assists in straightening the user's spine. The spring assembly (10) can be arranged to apply forward torque to the lower support assembly (8) relative to the upper support assembly (6), for leg lift assist, or backward torque to the lower support assembly for spine straightening assist.
Abstract:
A walking assist device including a waist assembly and at least one leg assembly connected to the waist assembly is provided. The leg assembly includes a thigh stand, a shank stand, a sole, a hip joint, a knee joint and an ankle joint. The hip joint is pivoted to the thigh. The knee joint is pivoted to the thigh stand and connected to the shank stand. The ankle joint includes at least a flexible plate and an elastic member. The flexible plate includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first end is pivoted to the shank stand directly or indirectly, the second end is connected to the sole, and the elastic member presses the first end of the flexible plate.
Abstract:
A frame configured of a plurality of links pivotally connected to one another is flexibly bent, and pins that connect the plurality of links that constitute the frame are inserted into and slide in a curve-shaped slot and a slot in a vertical direction so that, even though the frame is bent, the entire length of the frame is increased and ends of the frame can be moved along a straight line that is horizontal with respect to the ground.
Abstract:
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a knee-position control system having a knee engagement pad, a lower-leg control member and an upper-leg control member, the knee engagement pad configured to naturally position a user's knee in response to movement of a foot-rest of a natural-gait therapy system. In an illustrative embodiment, the upper-leg control member may pivot about a point substantially axially coincident with a user's hip. In some embodiments, the upper-leg control member may be pivotally coupled to the lower-leg control member at a pivot point substantially axially coincident with a user's knee. The lower-leg control member may be pivotably coupled to the foot rest at a pivot point substantially axially coincident with a user's ankle. The knee-position control system may advantageously position a user's knee in a natural position relative to both the user's ankle and the user's hip, in response to movement of the user's foot.