Abstract: A body-worn device for flexibly supporting a body part such as the head in a hunched over position such as when a surgeon performs surgery. The device can include a head harness connected to a torso harness by a specialized oblong variable stiffness beam that extends upwardly along the back of the spine of the wearer. The beam can include a variable stiffness member having a complex tapered geometry. The member can be made from a unitary piece of fiber composite material wherein the orientations of the fibers are varied to provide both bending and torsional strength and stiffness that varies along the length of the member. The beam and harnesses can include a plurality of interconnected mechanisms to provide greater adjustability.

Abstract: A body-worn device (10) for flexibly supporting a body part such as the head (3) in a hunched over position such as when a surgeon performs surgery. The device (10) can include a head harness (11) connected to a torso harness (12) by a specialized oblong variable stiffness beam (20) that extends upwardly along the back of the spine of the wearer (1). The beam can include a variable stiffness member having a complex tapered geometry. The member can be made from a unitary piece of fiber composite material wherein the orientations of the fibers are varied to provide both bending and torsional strength and stiffness that varies along the length of the member. The beam and harnesses can include a plurality of interconnected mechanisms to provide greater adjustability.

Abstract: A body-worn device for flexibly supporting a body part such as the head in a hunched over position such as when a surgeon performs surgery. The device can include a head harness connected to a torso harness by a specialized oblong variable stiffness beam that extends upwardly along the back of the spine of the wearer. The beam can include a variable stiffness member having a complex tapered geometry. The member can be made from a unitary piece of fiber composite material wherein the orientations of the fibers are varied to provide both bending and torsional strength and stiffness that varies along the length of the member. The beam and harnesses can include a plurality of interconnected mechanisms to provide greater adjustability.