Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation (FES) orthosis for FES to a limb segment, including: (a) a semi-rigid, self-retaining C-shaped frame, the frame configured to substantially envelop the limb segment, the frame including a first flexible and elongated circumferentially retaining element and at least a first and a second opposing flexible and elongated circumferentially retaining elements disposed on the circumferentially opposite side of the frame, the first retaining element and the first opposing retaining element forming a pair of opposing retaining elements, and (b) a surface electrical stimulation electrode for contacting at least one stimulation point on a surface of the limb segment, associated with, and supported by, the frame, the surface electrode for electrically associating, via the frame, with a neuroprosthetic stimulator unit, so as to provide FES, wherein the opposing retaining elements are configured to be radially spring-loaded towards a center of the frame, such that in donning the orthosis

Abstract: A foot sensor device and method for gait enhancement, the device including: (a) a sensor unit having a casing, the sensor unit for disposing within a shoe of a user, the sensor unit for sensing a parameter associated with a gait event; (b) an electronic communication unit, electrically associated with the sensor unit, for receiving a signal pertaining to the parameter, the electronic unit having,: (i) a microcontroller; (ii) a transmitting unit for transmitting, in a wireless fashion, gait information based on the signal, to a unit of an orthosis external to the foot sensor device, and (iii) a housing for housing at least one of the microcontroller and the transmitting unit, and (c) a fastening unit, attached to the housing, adapted to fasten on to the shoe, so as to secure the communication unit in a fixed position during gait

Abstract: A system for adjusting a spatial distribution of an electrical stimulation field across a scanning electrode, by a system user, including: (a) a scanning electrode for performing functional electrical stimulation (FES) of at least one muscle of a limb, the electrode having first and second electrically conductive areas, separated by an electrically insulating region for insulating therebetween; (b) a distribution mechanism for dividing a current between the areas to produce the spatial distribution of the stimulation field across these areas, the distribution mechanism for operative connection to a muscle stimulator providing electrical stimulation to the system, and (c) a control mechanism for controlling the distribution mechanism, so as to effect a smooth and continuous adjustment of the spatial distribution of the field.

Abstract: A device for muscle stimulation, including: two exoskeletal shells, each including an outer member including an at least semi-rigid material, the shells being configured to at least partly, surround a limb portion of a user, and kinematic connection means connecting the shells and providing the shells with at least one degree of freedom in translation, so as to enable the shells to move in a substantially linear movement with respect to each other.

Abstract: A surface neuroprosthetic device for functional electrical stimulation (FES) having an internal cushion interface system, and a method of using the device including: (a) an at least semi-rigid exoskeleton shell for covering at least a portion of a limb; (b) at least one cushion interface disposed between the shell and the limb, the cushion interface being directly attached to the shell, and (c) at least one electrical stimulation electrode associated with, and supported by, the cushion interface, wherein the cushion interface is configured to transfer pressure from the shell to the electrode, so as to provide electrical contact between the electrode and a skin surface of the limb, thereby effecting functional electrical stimulation of at least one muscle of the limb.

Abstract: A device for muscle stimulation, including: two exoskeletal shells, each including an outer member including an at least semi-rigid material, the shells being configured to at least partly, surround a limb portion of a user, and kinematic connection means connecting the shells and providing the shells with at least one degree of freedom in translation, so as to enable the shells to move in a substantially linear movement with respect to each other.

Abstract: A gait modulation system for improving lower-limb function of a patient having neuromuscular impairment of the lower limbs, including: (a) a sensor associated with a lower limb, for transducing a parameter related to the lower limb, so as to obtain gait information related to at least one gait event within a gait cycle; (b) a neuroprosthesis device including: (i) an electrode array operatively connected to an impaired lower limb, for performing functional electrical stimulation (FES) of at least one muscle of the impaired lower limb; (c) a muscle stimulator operatively connected to the electrode array, for supplying a muscle stimulation output to the array, and (d) a microprocessor operatively connected to the sensor, the microprocessor for processing the gait information and for controlling the muscle stimulation output via the muscle stimulator, wherein the gait modulation system has a sleep mode for autonomous reduction of the muscle stimulation output to the array, the microprocessor being designed and co

Abstract: A surface neuroprosthetic device for functional electrical stimulation (FES) having a locating system for locating the device on to a limb segment of a user, and a method therefor, the device including: (a) an at least semi-rigid exoskeleton shell for encompassing at least a portion of the limb segment; (b) at least one electrical stimulation electrode operatively connected with the shell, for making electrical contact with a surface of the limb segment, so as to effect FES of at least one muscle of the limb segment; and (c) a locator, operatively connected with the shell, for determining a positioning of the shell relative to the limb segment, such that the electrode is positioned near an activating point, the locator including: (i) means for determining rotational positioning of the exoskeleton shell on the limb segment, and (ii) means for determining longitudinal positioning of the exoskeleton shell on the limb segment.

Abstract: A scanning electrode system for a neuroprosthetic device, the system enabling facile adjustment and fine-tuning of a spatial distribution of a local electrical stimulation field across a scanning electrode, by a system user, the scanning electrode system including: (a) at least one scanning electrode for the neuroprosthetic device, the scanning electrode for performing functional electrical stimulation (FES) of at least one muscle of a limb of the user; (b) a distribution mechanism for distributing a current to the at least one scanning electrode so as to produce a biased electrical stimulation field across the at least one scanning electrode, the distribution mechanism for operative connection to a muscle stimulator providing electrical stimulation to the scanning electrode system, and (c) control means for adjustment of the biased electrical stimulation field by means of the distribution mechanism, the control means designed and configured so as to be accessable to and operable by the system user.

Abstract: A surface neuroprosthetic device for functional electrical stimulation (FES) having an internal cushion interface system, and a method of using the device including: (a) an at least semi-rigid exoskeleton shell for covering at least a portion of a limb; (b) at least one cushion interface disposed between the shell and the limb, the cushion interface being directly attached to the shell, and (c) at least one electrical stimulation electrode associated with, and supported by, the cushion interface, wherein the cushion interface is configured to transfer pressure from the shell to the electrode, so as to provide electrical contact between the electrode and a skin surface of the limb, thereby effecting functional electrical stimulation of at least one muscle of the limb.

Abstract: A system and method for the storage and selective retrieval of discs is described. For selective retrieval of a disc, a feed unit is positioned such that a slot is located opposite a designated disc, a gate is opened and the designated disc rolls by the force of gravity into the slot and the rolling of remaining discs are stopped by a belt and, after the selected disc is retrieved, the gate closes, returning the remaining discs into the storage position.