Abstract: A device for measuring electrical potentials of a patient's body part, includes substrate nodes made of a flexible material and configured to be disposed on the patient's torso, wherein some pairs of substrate nodes are interconnected by straight portions of flexible material. The substrate nodes and straight portions of flexible material form a flexible substrate. The device includes electrodes, with each electrode disposed on a respective substrate node; and at least one connector. Each electrode is connected to the connector through a respective conductive path. Each conductive path is embedded in the flexible substrate formed by substrate nodes and straight portions. Only some straight portions connecting two substrate nodes have an embedded conductive path. The device removes one or more substrate nodes and corresponding electrodes by cutting portions which connect the substrate nodes with the remaining substrate nodes in the device, without interrupting the conductive paths of the remaining electrodes.

Abstract: A hand rehabilitation device includes at least one support to support a thumb and to perform a flexion/extension movement for rehabilitating the thumb. The flexion/extension movement is actioned by a first transmission mechanism to which the support is connected. The device further includes another support to support the index finger and to perform a flexion/extension movement for rehabilitating the finger. The flexion/extension movement is actioned by a second transmission mechanism to which the at least one second support is connected. The device further includes another support for the three remaining fingers which is configured to perform a flexion/extension movement for rehabilitating the three remaining fingers. The flexion/extension movement is actioned by a third transmission mechanism to which the at least one third support is connected. The three transmission mechanisms are actuated by a motor; and the three flexion/extension movements of the three supports are independent from each other.

Abstract: A device for functional electrical stimulation, including a garment mountable on a user's body part, an assembly having a socket and an electrode in turn having electrode pads and a stimulator with a controlling mechanism for activating/deactivating stimulating electrical signals to be provided to at least some of the electrode pads. The garment defines a hollow area configured to receive the socket, the socket configured to house the stimulator. In use of the device, a first portion of the electrode is in contact with an inner surface of the garment, the electrode pads are in a fixed position with respect to the garment, and a second portion of the electrode is in contact with a surface of the socket for receiving the stimulating electrical signals delivered by the stimulator. A system may include the device and a sensor configured to be positioned on either user or in proximity thereto.

Abstract: The invention refers to a portable device (100) for upper limb (2, 3) rehabilitation which is movable over a surface, usually a flat horizontal surface, and which comprises means for detecting an intention to move from the user (1), thereby providing assistance/resistance to perform the right movement just when needed, especially when the goal movement is non-deterministic. Additionally, the portable device (100) of the invention comprises a support structure for the forearm of a user (which can be similar to an armrest) which is pivotable, preferably in a direction of the rotational joint of elbow (it pivots vertically around a horizontal axis), thereby allowing free ergonomic elbow and shoulder flexion/extension, but restricting shoulder rotation, which is determined by the orientation of the device in order to avoid injuries.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring proprioceptive and/or sensory information from a prosthesis or from a sensing system disposed at a body part having poor or no sensation, to the skin of a user wearing the prosthesis or the sensing system, includes: a device for providing electrotactile feedback in the form of an electrical stimulation pattern with coding scheme for at least one input signal; and at least one multi-pad electrode configured to be positioned on a part of the body of the user. The multi-pad electrode includes a plurality of pads configured to be selectively and discretely activated/deactivated according to the predefined stimulation pattern.

Abstract: The invention refers to a portable device (100) for upper limb (2, 3) rehabilitation which is movable over a surface, usually a flat horizontal surface, and which comprises means for detecting an intention to move from the user (1), thereby providing assistance/resistance to perform the right movement just when needed, especially when the goal movement is non-deterministic. Additionally, the portable device (100) of the invention comprises a support structure for the forearm of a user (which can be similar to an armrest) which is pivotable, preferably in a direction of the rotational joint of elbow (it pivots vertically around a horizontal axis), thereby allowing free ergonomic elbow and shoulder flexion/extension, but restricting shoulder rotation, which is determined by the orientation of the device in order to avoid injuries.

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation system (1) for correction of drop-foot, comprising: a device (3) to be placed on a paretic leg, provided with a plurality of multi-pad electrodes (315) on one side (31), at least one of said electrodes (315) being configured to provide a stimulating electric signal on the point of the leg on which it is positioned, wherein said corresponding stimulating electric signals form a stimulation pattern; and at least one sensor (8) to be positioned on either said leg or corresponding foot, the sensor (8) being configured to, measure information during movement and emit sensor signals indicative thereof.

Abstract: The invention refers to a body fitting element with negative pressure controlled stiffness comprised of a gas tight envelope (1), a plurality of layers fitted in the envelope (3) and a valve (2) adapted to evacuate the interior of the envelope, characterized in that the layers comprise a core (4a) made of a material with a high Young's modulus and flexibility and a first cover layer at both sides of the core made of a material with high friction coefficient (4b). Orthoses and protective equipments fabricated with the fitting element can be shaped and fitted to the body in an optimal manner.

Abstract: A hand rehabilitation device includes at least one support to support a thumb and to perform a flexion/extension movement for rehabilitating the thumb. The flexion/extension movement is actioned by a first transmission mechanism to which the support is connected. The device further includes another support to support the index finger and to perform a flexion/extension movement for rehabilitating the finger. The flexion/extension movement is actioned by a second transmission mechanism to which the at least one second support is connected. The device further includes another support for the three remaining fingers which is configured to perform a flexion/extension movement for rehabilitating the three remaining fingers. The flexion/extension movement is actioned by a third transmission mechanism to which the at least one third support is connected. The three transmission mechanisms are actuated by a motor; and the three flexion/extension movements of the three supports are independent from each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for external activation of paralyzed body parts by stimulation of peripheral nerves which comprises a soft apparel provided with multi-pad electrodes on one side and activating means on the other side, wherein the activating means are adapted to allow activation and control of a delivered electrical pulse to each multi-pad electrode separately.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring proprioceptive and/or sensory information from a prosthesis or from a sensing system disposed at a body part having poor or no sensation, to the skin of a user wearing the prosthesis or the sensing system, includes: a device for providing electrotactile feedback in the form of an electrical stimulation pattern with coding scheme for at least one input signal; and at least one multi-pad electrode configured to be positioned on a part of the body of the user. The multi-pad electrode includes a plurality of pads configured to be selectively and discretely activated/deactivated according to the predefined stimulation pattern.

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation system (1) for correction of drop-foot, comprising: a device (3) to be placed on a paretic leg, provided with a plurality of multi-pad electrodes (315) on one side (31), at least one of said electrodes (315) being configured to provide a stimulating electric signal on the point of the leg on which it is positioned, wherein said corresponding stimulating electric signals form a stimulation pattern; and at least one sensor (8) to be positioned on either said leg or corresponding foot, the sensor (8) being configured to, measure information during movement and emit sensor signals indicative thereof.

Abstract: Element with variable stiffness controlled by negative pressure, the element including a gas-tight envelope, a plurality of flexible layers in the envelope, each layer having a first surface and a second surface, and, a valve adapted to evacuate the interior of the envelope, where the first and second surfaces of two adjacent layers have a friction coefficient between each other which is higher than 0.5, the first and second surfaces of two adjacent layers have adhesion properties, such that a normal force per unit area of below 0.07 N/mm2 is required to separate them and/or the energy per unit area required to separate them in normal direction is below 6.7 J/m2.

Abstract: The portable device for rehabilitating an impaired user having difficulties in executing simultaneous reaching and lifting tasks comprises an armrest whereto the forearm of the user can be fastened and mechanism for enabling the movement of the armrest on a surface. It furthermore comprises mechanism for monitoring the movement of the armrest and mechanism for sensing a force exercised by the arm of the user in an orthogonal direction to the surface. The device enables the user to conduct reaching movements in a large workspace having the forearm supported and fastened. The fact that the forearm is supported and fastened to the device allows for better control of the shoulder training movements, avoiding uncontrolled trajectories at the level of the elbow that are possible in case only a handle is grasped.

Abstract: The invention refers to a body fitting element with negative pressure controlled stiffness comprised of a gas tight envelope (1), a plurality of layers fitted in the envelope (3) and a valve (2) adapted to evacuate the interior of the envelope, characterized in that the layers comprise a core (4a) made of a material with a high Young's modulus and flexibility and a first cover layer at both sides of the core made of a material with high friction coefficient (4b).

Abstract: Apparatus for external activation of paralyzed body parts by stimulation of peripheral nerves which comprises a soft apparel provided with multi-pad electrodes on one side and activating means on the other side, wherein the activating means are adapted to allow activation and control of a delivered electrical pulse to each multi-pad electrode separately.

Abstract: The portable device (10) for rehabilitating an impaired user having difficulties in executing simultaneous reaching and lifting tasks comprises an armrest (12) whereto the forearm of the user can be fastened and means (16) for enabling the movement of the armrest on a surface. It furthermore comprises means (18) for monitoring the movement of the armrest and means (13) for sensing a force exercised by the arm of the user in an orthogonal direction to the surface. The device enables the user to conduct reaching movements in a large workspace having the forearm supported and fastened. The fact that the forearm is supported and fastened to the device allows for better control of the shoulder training movements, avoiding uncontrolled trajectories at the level of the elbow that are possible in case only a handle is grasped.

Abstract: A system for delivering and displaying messages in a display device part of a network comprising: a set of display devices (100, 100?, 101, 102, 103) and a set of presence detection sensors (200, 200?, 201, 201?, 202, 202?) configured to provide a sensor state which is related to the presence of users. Each of the display devices is configured to periodically sense the sensor states of a subset of said presence detection sensors. Each of the display devices is configured to compute a presence probability estimate, function of said sensor states, and whose value covariates with the probability that a user is in a neighbour area of said display device. Each display device is configured to display messages whose presence probability estimate is above a predetermined threshold.