Abstract: Rehabilitation or ambulation assistance can be provided to a user by sensing at least one first pressure beneath the user's right foot, sensing at least one second pressure beneath the user's left foot, and predicting the user's gait based on the sensed at least one first pressure and the sensed at least one second pressure. A plurality of motors are energized at a plurality of times that are synchronized with phases of the user's gait so that the plurality of motors pull on respective cables at respective times in a coordinated sequence. Each of the cables has a first end affixed to a pelvic belt or harness that is shaped and dimensioned to fit securely on the user's pelvis, and the timing of the energizing is based on the gait predictions.

Abstract: A quantitative gait training and/or analysis system employs instrumented footwear and an independent processing module. The instrumented footwear may have sensors that permit the extraction of gait kinematics in real time and provide feedback from it. Embodiments employing calibration-based estimation of kinematic gait parameters are described. An artificial neural network identifies gait stance phases in real-time.

Abstract: A quantitative gait training and/or analysis system includes one or more footwear modules that may include a piezoresistive sensor, an inertial sensor and an independent logic unit. The footwear module functions to permit the extraction of gait kinematics and evaluation thereof in real time, or data may be stored for later reduction and analysis. Embodiments relating to calibration-based estimation of kinematic gait parameters are described, as well as biofeedback embodiments useful in training runners to maintain a time-varying target velocity or pace.

Abstract: A quantitative gait training and/or analysis system includes one or more footwear modules that may include a piezoresistive sensor, an inertial sensor and an independent logic unit. The footwear module functions to permit the extraction of gait kinematics and evaluation thereof in real time, or data may be stored for later reduction and analysis. Embodiments relating to calibration-based estimation of kinematic gait parameters are described.

Abstract: A quantitative gait training and/or analysis system includes one or more footwear modules that may include a piezoresistive sensor, an inertial sensor and an independent logic unit. The footwear module functions to permit the extraction of gait kinematics and evaluation thereof in real time, or data may be stored for later reduction and analysis. Embodiments relating to calibration-based estimation of kinematic gait parameters are described.

Abstract: A wearable neck brace uses, for example, only three actuators but provides natural motion of the head and neck. This is achieved despite the fact that the head has six degrees of freedom including 3 translation and 3 rotation. In embodiments, a wearable neck brace actively controls the head of the wearer responsively to commands from a user interface such as an eye tracking input device. In further embodiments, a force-field is generated by actuators to provide assistance and/or training for weak muscles. Spring compensation may be provided for a passive support with flexibility. Encoders may be provided to generate treatment logs to support analysis of a patient's condition or progress or to provide therapy-facilitating (or athletic training-facilitating) feedback to the user.

Abstract: A robotic assistant provides active support for disabled users and may take the approximate form of a cane or a walker.

Abstract: A Trunk Support Trainer (TruST) is a dynamic device that trains subjects to improve strength and coordination of the upper body, while seated, and facilitates the trunk to safely move beyond the region of stability. In embodiments, the device creates an ‘assist-as-needed’ force field to support postures beyond stable sitting positions.

Abstract: Active wearable body brace embodiments provide selectable conformation control of the interface between the trunk of a human subject and the brace, which conformation may be varied over time and responsively to feedback and an updateable prescription. Further active wearable body brace embodiments provide selectable movement control of the interface between the trunk of a human subject and the brace with up to six degrees of freedom between elements to allow a controller to implement operations such as muscle challenges, active support, and passive-like support where actuators mimic springs. Further embodiments may also provide detection functions such as quantifying muscle weakness. The features of these embodiments may be combined in various ways to provide still further embodiments.

Abstract: A quantitative gait training and/or analysis system employs instrumented footwear and an independent processing module. The instrumented footwear may have sensors that permit the extraction of gait kinematics in real time and provide feedback from it. Embodiments employing calibration-based estimation of kinematic gait parameters are described. An artificial neural network identifies gait stance phases in real-time.

Abstract: A quantitative gait training and/or analysis system includes one or more footwear modules that may include a piezoresistive sensor, an inertial sensor and an independent logic unit. The footwear module functions to permit the extraction of gait kinematics and evaluation thereof in real time, or data may be stored for later reduction and analysis. Embodiments relating to calibration-based estimation of kinematic gait parameters are described.

Abstract: Systems for machine-based rehabilitation of movement disorders including gait therapy applications can apply controlled forces to the pelvis and/or other body parts including knee and ankle joints. Cable-driven systems for gait therapy applications can apply controlled forces to, in respective embodiments, the pelvis and the pelvis, knee and ankle joints. In further embodiments, systems for gait therapy can be treadmill-based or walker-based. In embodiments, a controlled downforce is applied to the hip with augmentation including supportive forces. In further embodiments, the technology is activated through cables that provide support and limb-flexing moments with low inertia and friction resistance. In further embodiments, assistance is configured for gait therapy in children.

Abstract: A wearable neck brace uses, for example, only three actuators but provides natural motion of the head and neck. This is achieved despite the fact that the head has six degrees of freedom including 3 translation and 3 rotation. In embodiments, a wearable neck brace actively controls the head of the wearer responsively to commands from a user interface such as an eye tracking input device. In further embodiments, a force-field is generated by actuators to provide assistance and/or training for weak muscles. Spring compensation may be provided for a passive support with flexibility. Encoders may be provided to generate treatment logs to support analysis of a patient's condition or progress or to provide therapy-facilitating (or athletic training-facilitating) feedback to the user.

Abstract: A robotic assistant provides active support for disabled users and may take the approximate form of a cane or a walker.

Abstract: A Trunk Support Trainer (TruST) is a dynamic device that trains subjects to improve strength and coordination of the upper body, while seated, and facilitates the trunk to safely move beyond the region of stability. In embodiments, the device creates an ‘assist-as-needed’ force field to support postures beyond stable sitting positions.

Abstract: A rehabilitation machine can have a chassis with actuators positioned behind a patient area. The actuators can have supports projecting toward the patient area and can have respective adapters shaped to engage the legs of a patient at the thigh, the calf, and the foot while the patient is in a standing or walking posture. The actuators can also have motors, transition elements, and linkages connected to apply moments through the adapters to achieve, for each leg, hip adduction/abduction, hip flexion/extension, knee flexion/extension, and foot plantar flexion/dorsiflexion according to signals from a controller. The actuators can be confined to a space, largely behind the patient, such that free arm swing is permitted when the patient is attached.

Abstract: A quantitative gait training and/or analysis system includes a pair of footwear modules that may include a shank module and an independent processing module. Each footwear module may have a sole portion, a heel portion, a speaker, vibrotactile transducer and a wireless communication module. Sensors may permit the extraction of gait kinematics in real time and provide feedback from it. Embodiments may store data for later reduction and analysis. Embodiments employing calibration-based estimation of kinematic gait parameters are described.

Abstract: Active wearable body brace embodiments provide selectable conformation control of the interface between the trunk of a human subject and the brace, which conformation may be varied over time and responsively to feedback and an updateable prescription. Further active wearable body brace embodiments provide selectable movement control of the interface between the trunk of a human subject and the brace with up to six degrees of freedom between elements to allow a controller to implement operations such as muscle challenges, active support, and passive-like support where actuators mimic springs. Further embodiments may also provide detection functions such as quantifying muscle weakness. The features of these embodiments may be combined in various ways to provide still further embodiments.

Abstract: Systems for machine-based rehabilitation of movement disorders including gait therapy applications can apply controlled forces to the pelvis and/or other body parts including knee and ankle joints. Cable-driven systems for gait therapy applications can apply controlled forces to, in respective embodiments, the pelvis and the pelvis, knee and ankle joints. In further embodiments, systems for gait therapy can be treadmill-based or walker-based. In embodiments, a controlled downforce is applied to the hip with augmentation including supportive forces. In further embodiments, the technology is activated through cables that provide support and limb-flexing moments with low inertia and friction resistance. In further embodiments, assistance is configured for gait therapy in children.

Abstract: Gait and mobility assessment systems and methods are disclosed. A gait and mobility assessment system comprises a shoe, a plurality of force sensors mounted on the shoe, a plurality of motion sensors mounted on the shoe, and a microprocessor affixed to the shoe. The shoe is adapted to be secured to a foot of a user such that the user may freely ambulate in an unrestricted environment. The force sensors are configured to sense forces exerted by the foot of the user. The motion sensors are configured to sense a motion of the shoe. The microprocessor is coupled to receive data from the plurality of force sensors representing the sensed forces and from the plurality of motion sensors representing the sensed motion. The microprocessor is programmed to (i) store the received data in a memory affixed to the shoe, or (ii) wirelessly transmit the received data to a remote location.