Lower Extremity Patents (Class 602/23)
  • Patent number: 11963897
    Abstract: An articulated Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) with an upper boot member and a lower boot member hinged to one another is made more flexible and effective by having a dorsi-flexion control member attached thereto. The dorsi-flexion control member has a main body with upper portion which is attachable to a predetermined position on the upper boot member, and a lower portion which is attachable to a lower boot member. The main body is fabricated from a material having a predetermined set of elasticity characteristics, which will limit dorsi-flexion movement in a predetermined manner, depending on the material used and the specific configuration. In this manner, the elasticity characteristics of the control member can provide both dynamic and static dorsi-flexion control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Orthotic Care Services, LLP
    Inventor: Patrick Scott Hinshon
  • Patent number: 11957611
    Abstract: An external ankle brace, including a rigid heel enclosure having a rear portion and a forward portion, wherein the rear portion is for receiving a heel portion of a shoe, the external ankle brace is configured to restrict movement of an ankle in a first direction and permit movement of the ankle in a second direction, wherein the external ankle brace is configured to be disposed on an exterior of the shoe and the shoe having the heel portion, a sole, a toe, a top, and oppositely disposed sides, the forward portion includes a medial sidewall and a lateral sidewall for collectively surrounding the sides of the shoe, the medial and lateral sidewalls being cantilevered from the rear portion of the rigid heel enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TAYCO BRACE, INC.
    Inventor: Mike W. Bean
  • Patent number: 11850183
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention relates to therapy wraps for the application of compression and thermal therapy to a patient by fluid pumped through the wrap. The wraps are formed of at least two layers of material which are sealed together to form at least one cavity between them. At least two layers of the wrap are sealed together using a plurality of different seal patterns. The unique shape of the wrap and placement of the seals provides a wrap that may be folded to fit a patient's head and circulate fluid in a manner to compress the wrap against the wearer's head, particularly in areas where hair growth is desired while avoiding the application of therapy to other areas of the head, particularly the forehead and ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Michael L. Wilford
  • Patent number: 11806286
    Abstract: A surgical boot system and sleeve accessory for hip distraction. The surgical boot system includes an L-shaped rigid shell having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A soft liner is attached to the rigid shell and extends along at least one of the proximal portion and the distal portion. The surgical boot system also includes at least one strap assembly (which can be a plurality of strap assemblies) extending around the rigid shell. A load transmission hoop is connected to and extends around the distal portion of the rigid shell and an attachment point is connected to the load transmission hoop. The rigid shell is pivotable about the attachment point. Specifically, the attachment point is configured to interface with a hip distractor apparatus in a way that allows for multiple degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin Willard
  • Patent number: 11730656
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating lower limb contractures is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pair of multi-sectional soles, which are movably affixed to a connector via a pair of arms using fasteners. The pair of soles are configured to support the user's feet. Each sole comprises four flat-solid plates, which are pivotally connected via hinges/fasteners. The four flat-solid plates are configured to cover, support, and align the user's feet. The apparatus further comprises a pair of ankle supports, securely and adjustably affixed to each sole, configured to support the user's ankle and lower leg. The plurality of straps is configured to secure the sole to the user's feet and lower leg while lifting and lowering the feet using additional straps that are coupled to one or more loops of the four-flat solid plates of the soles, thereby treating the limb contractures by facilitating the opportunity for the repetitive movement of every single joint and muscle in the lower limb of a the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Mohammad Fakhrizadeh
  • Patent number: 11707374
    Abstract: A knee brace with an inflatable air bladder. In a post-surgical embodiment the brace includes a rigid shell that fits behind the knee. The rigid shell includes an inflatable air bladder on its posterior surface. A wrap is placed around the knee and the air bladder. When the air bladder is inflated, the knee is urged in the posterior direction—thereby decreasing flexion. In a rehabilitative embodiment, a rigid shell is placed over the anterior portion of the knee. An air bladder is positioned between the rigid shell and the knee. The rigid shell is held in place using the securing straps of the rehabilitative brace. When the air bladder is inflated the knee is again urged in the posterior direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventors: Bryan E. Kilbey, Alan Getgood, Nikhil N. Verma
  • Patent number: 11690773
    Abstract: A wearable upper limb rehabilitation training robot with precise force control includes a wearable belt, a multi-degree-of-freedom robot arm, and a control box. The robot is worn on the waist of a person by using a belt, and driven by active actuators, to implement active and passive rehabilitation training in such degrees of freedom as adduction/abduction/anteflexion/extension of left and right shoulder joints and anteflexion/extension of left and right elbow joints. In addition, a force/torque sensor is mounted on a tip of the robot arm, to obtain a force between the tip of the robot arm and the human hand during rehabilitation training as a feedback signal, to adjust an operating state of the robot, thereby realizing the precise force control during the rehabilitation training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SOUTHEAST UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Aiguo Song, Yiting Mo, Huanhuan Qin, Huijun Li, Baoguo Xu
  • Patent number: 11684504
    Abstract: A hip joint orthotic that can be used in stages. In the first stage the orthotic includes a stiff relatively brace assembly that can limit the amount of allowed flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. In the second stage the relatively stiff brace can be removed and the orthotic can be used as a soft wrap. In both stages the orthotic is configured to easily mount and retain a thermal pack in a desired position or positions. In many instances the thermal pack will be a cold pack, but in some cases a hot pack may be used as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventors: Bryan E. Kilbey, Geoffrey Van Thiel, Ajay Lall
  • Patent number: 11638468
    Abstract: A wearable device for at least one of icing, heating and compressing a user's body part is disclosed. The wearable device comprises an inner part and an outer part. The outer part is arranged with the inner part such that the outer part surrounds the inner part. A compartment is defined by the space between the outer part and the inner part and above the first attaching means. A compression force is provided by the second set of elastic properties compressing at least one of the hot element and the cold element against the user's body part thereby eliminating a second attaching means above the first attaching means within the compartment. At least one handle is in attachment with the outer part. The wearable device further comprises at least one band disposed on the outer part between the outer part upper end and outer part lower end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventor: Stephen Eugene Juaire
  • Patent number: 11633319
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an unpowered wearable walking assistance knee equipment with gait self-adaptivity comprising a left foot power output assembly, a right foot power output assembly, a left leg knee joint assistance execution assembly, a right leg knee joint assistance execution assembly and a driving force transmission device. The equipment of the present disclosure is based on lever principle and crank block structure principle and adopts an operation mode of combining ipsilateral parallel driving input and different sides cross driving input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Beijing Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Qiang Huang, Liancun Zhang, Fei Meng, Weimin Zhang, Zhiheng Wang
  • Patent number: 11628118
    Abstract: A walking assistance device deformable based on a thigh shape includes a hip joint actuator, an upper thigh frame connected to the hip joint actuator and configured to receive power from the hip joint actuator and rotate about a first axis and rotate about a second axis intersecting the first axis, a motion frame connected to the upper thigh frame, the motion frame including a plurality of segment frames configured to rotate relative to each other, and a lower thigh frame connected to the motion frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byungjune Choi, Youngbo Shim, Minhyung Lee, Younbaek Lee, Jongwon Lee, Segon Roh
  • Patent number: 11596219
    Abstract: A load carrying and force distributing device to be worn on a user's limb is described. The device has one or more support members and a plurality of elongated compression members that couple with each of the support members at locations that are circumferentially spaced around the user's limb. The space between the plurality of compression members provides a relief area. The load carrying and force distributing device compresses the soft tissue of the limb against the bone structure to thereby reduce motion of the bone structure towards a wall of the load carrying and force distributing device when worn on the limb. A method of fitting a load carrying and force distributing device to a limb is also described. The method includes coupling the elongated compression members to each of the support members and adjusting compression to thereby reduce motion of the bone towards a wall of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Randall Alley
  • Patent number: 11590012
    Abstract: An orthopaedic device with a shell mechanism which can be brought into a closed position in which it engages at least partially around a body part arranged in the shell mechanism, and into an open position, in which the body part can be brought into the shell mechanism, wherein the shell mechanism can be brought from the open position to the closed position by means of the body part being introduced into the shell mechanism. The device has at least one actuation element which is arranged and designed in such a way that it is actuated when the body part is introduced into the shell mechanism, and it brings the shell mechanism from the open position to the closed position, wherein the actuation element has a tensile force transmission element, in particular a band or a cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: OTTOBOCK SE & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Annedore Kurzweg, Emma Louise Van Den Berg, Harry Plechelmus Christenhusz
  • Patent number: 11497644
    Abstract: An external ankle brace for restricting movement of an ankle in a first direction and permitting movement of the ankle in a second direction includes a rigid heel enclosure having a rear portion and a forward portion. A lateral upright extension is perpendicular to the rigid heel enclosure and is attached to the lateral sidewall. A medial upright extension is perpendicular to the rigid heel enclosure and is attached to the medial sidewall. At least a chosen one of the lateral and medial upright extensions is selectively pivotally attached to a corresponding lateral or medial sidewall and includes a pivot prevention feature configured to selectively prevent pivoting of the chosen one of the lateral and medial upright extensions with respect to the corresponding lateral or medial sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: TayCo Brace, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Bean, Frederick John Ferlic
  • Patent number: 11484426
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for human anatomical orthoses. In one embodiment, an orthoses is disclosed that has been integrated into a sock and includes a tensioning element that is configured to keep the top portion of the sock at or above a user's calf muscle, a rotary tensioning mechanism disposed adjacent to the top portion of the sock, a support cable that is weaved within the body of the sock such that the support cable is maintained in close proximity with a user's leg when tension is applied thereto, and a supporting structure that is coupled to the support cable, the supporting structure being disposed adjacent to a user's toes. Methods of manufacturing and using the aforementioned orthoses is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: AST DESIGN, LLC
    Inventors: Arni Thor, Shireen Thor
  • Patent number: 11446202
    Abstract: A pneumatic physiotherapy apparatus with a unique structure comprising a wrap and an operating unit: wherein a wrap includes at least an outer wrap, an inner component housing, and an inner air bladder set; the operating unit is fixed to the outer wrap; the operating unit is also connected to the inner component housing; and the inner component housing is hidden inside the wrap. In addition, the apparatus can also have the operating unit operate an inflation motor and an integrated control board. The apparatus uses an inner air bladder set wherein each air bladder is inflatable. The apparatus can also contain a solenoid valve and a pressure detection valve. This design hides bulky components and eliminates connecting brackets. Therefore, this apparatus is a unique structure that allows a user to experience the extraordinary beauty of pneumatic physiotherapy apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: JKH Health Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Quanqin Dai, Pu Jiang, Baohua Jiang
  • Patent number: 11395680
    Abstract: A lower limb traction device for intramedullary nail implantation operation includes a chassis with a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to each other; a first slide block slidably provided at a second end portion of the chassis in a longitudinal direction of the chassis; a lower leg support plate having two opposite end portions and two opposite side portions, wherein one end portion is connected to the first slide block; an upper leg back plate having opposite end portions and opposite side portions, wherein one end portion of the upper leg back plate is connected to the second end portion of the chassis, and the other end portion of the upper leg back plate is connected to the other end of the lower leg support plate; and a pulling mechanism provided at the first end portion of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignees: The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Yingze Zhang, Zhiyong Hou, Yanbin Zhu, Juan Wang, Di Zhang, Shiji Qin
  • Patent number: 11382677
    Abstract: An implant system, alignment guide, bone fusion system and surgical method for correction of a flat foot or rocker-bottom deformity, such as a Charcot foot. The implant system includes a bone implant and an elongate member. The bone implant includes a proximal end, a distal end, a hole along a longitudinal axis, and at least one opening intersecting the hole. The elongate member includes a first end with a head portion, a second end with a coupling mechanism, and an opening along a longitudinal axis. The coupling mechanism of the elongate member engages the at least one opening to couple the bone implant to the elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: James Orsak
  • Patent number: 11369542
    Abstract: A motion assistance apparatus including a first support configured to support a waist of a user, a side frame connected to the first support and configured to cover at least a portion of a side of the waist, and a joint assembly connected to the side frame such that a location of the joint assembly is adjustable in a longitudinal direction of the side frame, and configured to be located at a part of a hip joint of the user is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minhyung Lee, Jeonghun Kim, Se-Gon Roh, Youn Baek Lee, Jongwon Lee, Byungjune Choi, Hyun Do Choi
  • Patent number: 11357689
    Abstract: A motion assistance apparatus includes a force transmitting frame having a sliding space therein, the force transmitting frame configured to support a distal part of a user, a slider configured to slide in the sliding space, and a driving frame connected to the slider and configured to slide with respect to a proximal part of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., RESEARCH & BUSINESS FOUNDATION SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Minhyung Lee, Byungjune Choi, Jeonghun Kim, Se-Gon Roh, Youn Baek Lee, Jongwon Lee, Hyun Do Choi, Jung Yun Choi, Hyouk Ryeol Choi
  • Patent number: 11304828
    Abstract: A motion assistance apparatus may include a first fixing member to be fixed to a portion of a user, a second fixing member to be fixed to another portion of the user, a driving source provided in the first fixing member, a power transmitting member connected between the driving source and the second fixing member, a sensing portion configured to sense a fixing state of the first fixing member or the second fixing member, and a controller configured to control the driving source based on information received from the sensing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taesin Ha, ChangHyun Roh, Youngbo Shim, Joon-Kee Cho, Byung-Kwon Choi
  • Patent number: 11266519
    Abstract: A connection device for connecting a first component to a second component of an orthopedic device. The connection device includes a first swivel element for arranging on the first component and a second swivel element for arranging on the second component. The first adjustment element is arranged on the first swivel element the adjustment element having a first contact surface. The second swivel element has a second contact surface, wherein the first swivel element is arranged on the second swivel element such that it can be swivelled about a swivel axis, and the first adjustment element is arranged and designed in such a way that the first contact surface lies flat on the second contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander Schmitt, Klaus Horstmann
  • Patent number: 11259947
    Abstract: An ankle brace including an ankle wrap assembly including a main body having an inner surface, an outer surface, a top, a bottom, a front defining a foot opening, a first side panel, a second side panel, a rear, and a bottom panel. The ankle brace includes first and second ankle pads attached to the main body; a first support attached to the main body first side panel, and a second attached to the main body second side panel, and a bottom support. The ankle brace is configured to be secured to a user's ankle when worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Shock Doctor, Inc.
    Inventors: William Best, Thierry Petelle, Bastien Jourde
  • Patent number: 11259980
    Abstract: A soft-inflatable exosuit for knee rehabilitation is fabricated in two different beam-like structures (I and O cross-section actuators) and mechanically characterized for their torque performance in knee-extension assistance. The fabrication procedure of both types of actuators is presented as well as their integration into a light-weight, low-cost and body-conforming interface. To detect the activation duration of the device during the gait cycle, a soft-silicone insole with embedded force-sensitive resistors (FSRs) is used. In evaluation studies, the soft inflatable exosuit device is tested for its ability to reduce muscle activity during the swing phase of the knee. Using sEMG (surface electromyography) sensors, the rectus femoris muscle group of a healthy individual is recorded while walking on a treadmill at a constant speed, with and without the soft device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignees: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, DIGNITY HEALTH
    Inventors: Panagiotis Polygerinos, Saivimal Sridar, Trent Maruyama, Christopher St. Clair, Christina Kwasnica
  • Patent number: 11259981
    Abstract: An underactuated exoskeleton for lower-limbs, for supporting the knee of a user, includes a first and a second coupling frame and a movement means associated with the first and with the second frame configured to confer to the second frame a roto-translation movement with respect to the first frame or vice versa. The exoskeleton further includes a junction means operatively interposed between the movement means and the first frame and/or the second frame configured to allow a relative rotation between the first and the second frame in a second plane, orthogonal to the first plane, a rotation of said second frame about said main axis of the leg and a relative translation between the first and the second frame in the second plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignees: FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA, UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI GENOVA
    Inventors: Ioannis Sarakoglou, Lorenzo Saccares, Nikolaos Tsagarakis
  • Patent number: 11253386
    Abstract: A moldable rigid ankle brace is disclosed. The rigid stabilizing ankle brace includes a heat-moldable multi-layer housing having an opening for receiving a user's ankle, a footplate attached to the housing, and a closure mechanism. The multi-layer housing includes a middle layer, which is substantially stiff at a temperature below about 130° F. and moldable at temperatures between about 130° F. and 275° F. A method of stabilizing an ankle is also disclosed. The method may include providing a rigid stabilizing ankle brace, having a heat-moldable multi-layer housing having an opening for receiving a user's ankle, and a footplate removably attached to said housing, heating the ankle brace to between about 130° F. to about 275° F., and applying said heated ankle brace to the ankle of a patient in need thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: DJO, LLC
    Inventors: David Madden, Matthew Cozad, Brian Bowen, Frank Ledezma
  • Patent number: 11246789
    Abstract: An assistance apparatus includes wires, each of which couples an upper-body belt and one of left and right knee belts to each other, and a motor. To promote implementation of first assistance for a user in walking while carrying an object, the motor generates a tension greater than or equal to a third threshold value in a second wire and a fourth wire, a tension greater than or equal to the third threshold value in the second wire and a third wire, and a tension greater than or equal to the third threshold value in a first wire and the fourth wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Murakami, Stephen William John, Hiroki Takeuchi, Shinobu Adachi
  • Patent number: 11213450
    Abstract: Provided is a travel motion assist device capable of assisting a travel motion of a user without causing any discomfort, and has a high level of versatility. A travel motion assist device includes an assist drive unit configured to be worn on a prescribed joint of the user required for the travel motion of the user, and to be driven in a corresponding manner, a torso motion detection unit configured to be worn on a torso of the user, and to detect the displacement of a center of gravity C indicating the movement of the torso, and a control unit configured to control an operation of the assist drive unit, wherein the control unit estimates a phase of the travel motion of the user according to a detection result of the torso motion detection unit, and drives the assist drive unit at a prescribed phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ken Yasuhara, Yosuke Ikedo, Toru Takenaka
  • Patent number: 11147590
    Abstract: A method of performing a bunion surgery to correct an alignment between a first metatarsal and a first cuneiform may involve aligning a bone cutting guide with a joint between the first metatarsal and the first cuneiform. The bone cutting guide can have a joint plate offset from a guide feature, with the joint plate extending downwardly relative to the guide feature. The process of aligning the bone cutting guide with the joint may involve inserting the joint plate into the joint. The method may involve using the guide feature of the bone cutting guide to guide a cutting tool to cut a leading edge of the first metatarsal and adjusting an alignment of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform using a bone positioning device. The method may also involve fixing a position of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform with a bone connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Treace Medical Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Dayton, F. Barry Bays
  • Patent number: 11135119
    Abstract: A gait training system has a motor connected to a first linkage system by an actuator. The first linkage system has multiple linkage members connected to multiple joints and an endpoint that is configured to produce a cyclic gait motion when the motor is activated. First and second linkage members have an adjustable length. A method of customizing a gait pattern on a gait training system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: James Sulzer, Sung Yul Shin
  • Patent number: 11109986
    Abstract: An improvement to a prosthetic device which provides a spring member between first and second structural members that are rotatably connected to one another, the spring member providing predictable resistance as it is compressed by the rotation of the first and second structural members with respect to each other. The known resistance of the spring is used as an input to a model controlling a motor control circuit to provide counter-torque as rotational torque is applied to compress the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Otto Bock Healthcare LP
    Inventors: Weston Smith, Christopher Morse, Paul Balutis
  • Patent number: 11103413
    Abstract: An assistance apparatus includes wires, each of which couples an upper-body belt and one of left and right knee belts to each other, and a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Stephen William John, Kenta Murakami, Hiroki Takeuchi, Shinobu Adachi
  • Patent number: 11103410
    Abstract: An assistance apparatus includes a first wire and a second wire that couple an upper-body belt and a left knee belt to each other on or above a front part and back part of the body of a user, respectively, a third wire and a fourth wire that couple the upper-body belt and a right knee belt to each other on or above the front part and back part of the body of the user, respectively, a motor, a left sensor on the left hand of the user, and a right sensor on the right hand of the user. When a force is applied to the left sensor and no force is applied to the right sensor, the motor makes the tension of the second wire and the third wire greater than the tension of the first wire and the fourth wire. When a force is applied to the right sensor and no force is applied to the left sensor, the motor makes the tension of the first wire and the fourth wire greater than the tension of the second wire and the third wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Murakami, Stephen William John, Hiroki Takeuchi, Shinobu Adachi
  • Patent number: 11103376
    Abstract: The present invention relates to medical devices and more particularly to medical devices for joint, bone, and tissue support. A brace system is disclosed incorporating at least two shells placed around an ankle and foot area, with straps and laces. The inner boot incorporates a lace-up removable, molded inner boot. The outer boot includes straps for securing the outer boot to the inner boot and for providing targeted support areas for orthotic purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventor: Ernest Gramaglia
  • Patent number: 11103414
    Abstract: An assistance apparatus includes a first wire and a second wire that couple an upper-body belt and a left knee belt to each other, respectively, a third wire and a fourth wire that couple the upper-body belt and a right knee belt to each other, respectively, and a motor. When assistance is stopped, the motor is configured to reduce tension of the first wire during a first stop period starting in a boundary period in a first period and ending in a start period of a second period, generate no tension in the second wire during the second period, reduce tension of the third wire during a second stop period starting in a boundary period in a third period and ending in a start period of a fourth period, and generate no tension in the fourth wire during the fourth period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Murakami, Stephen William John, Hiroki Takeuchi, Shinobu Adachi
  • Patent number: 11096854
    Abstract: A system and method by which movements desired by a user of a lower extremity orthotic is determined and a control system automatically regulates the sequential operation of powered lower extremity orthotic components to enable the user, having mobility disorders, to walk, as well as perform other common mobility tasks which involve leg movements, perhaps with the use of a gait aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignees: Ekso Bionics, Inc., The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Homayoon Kazerooni, Katherine Strausser, Adam Zoss, Tim Swift
  • Patent number: 11096857
    Abstract: An assistance apparatus includes a first wire and a second wire that couple an upper-body belt and a left knee belt to each other on or above a front part and back part of the body of a user, respectively, a third wire and a fourth wire that couple the upper-body belt and a right knee belt to each other on or above the front part and back part of the body of the user, respectively, a motor, a left sensor on the left hand of the user, and a right sensor on the right hand of the user. When a left sensor value of the left sensor is larger than a right sensor value of the right sensor, the tension of the first wire and the second wire is made greater than the tension of the third wire and the fourth wire. When the right sensor value is larger than the left sensor value, the tension of the third wire and the fourth wire is made greater than the tension of the first wire and the second wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Murakami, Stephen William John, Hiroki Takeuchi, Shinobu Adachi
  • Patent number: 11083615
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for reducing a load on a knee joint in the course of walking. The device reduces the load on both compartments of a damaged knee. The device includes a plurality of permanent magnets configured to maintain a consistent resistance to a load on a leg of a person. The device reduces the load exerted by the femur on the tibia and keeps the load reduced during the walking, alleviating a pain caused by the worn-out cartilage and the bone-on-bone phenomenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventors: Zinovi Brusilovski, Refael Bronstein, Anna Rubin-Brusilovski
  • Patent number: 11071674
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first wire and a second wire which are coupled to a right upper ankle belt and a right lower ankle belt, a third wire and a fourth wire which are coupled to a left upper ankle belt and a left lower ankle belt, an obtainer obtaining user information about a user and information about walking action of the user, and a controller controlling tensions of the first wire and the second wire at the same time and controlling tensions of the third wire and the fourth wire at the same time using a first stiffness target value corresponding to the first wire, a second stiffness target value corresponding to the second wire, a third stiffness target value corresponding to the third wire, and a fourth stiffness target value corresponding to the fourth wire that are determined based on the user information and the walk information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mayumi Komatsu, Stephen William John
  • Patent number: 11039947
    Abstract: A moldable ankle flexible brace is disclosed. The flexible ankle brace may include a heat-moldable, multi-layer leg support portion, a heat-moldable, multi-layer foot support portion, a pair of hinges connecting the leg support portion to the foot support portion, an opening for receiving a user's ankle, and a closure mechanism. The flexible ankle brace may include a middle layer that is substantially stiff at a temperature below about 130° F. and moldable at temperatures above 130° F. Also disclosed is a method of using a flexible ankle brace to treat an ankle. The method may include, for example, heating the brace to above 130° F. placing the heated brace on a patient's ankle and molding the brace to conform to the shape of the patient's ankle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: DJO, LLC
    Inventors: David Madden, Matthew Cozad, Brian Bowen, Frank Ledezma
  • Patent number: 11020250
    Abstract: Prosthetic and/or orthotic devices (PODS), control systems for PODS and methods for controlling PODS are provided. As part of the control system, an inference layer collects data regarding a vertical and horizontal displacement of the POD, as well as an angle of the POD with respect to gravity during a gait cycle of a user of the POD. A processor analyzes the data collected to determine a locomotion activity of the user and selects one or more control parameters based on the locomotion activity. The inference layer may be situated between a reactive layer control module and a learning layer control module of the control system architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Ă–ssur Iceland ehf
    Inventors: David Langlois, Matheson Rittenhouse, Yves Roy
  • Patent number: 10973727
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first wire and a second wire which are coupled to a right upper ankle belt and a right lower ankle belt, a third wire and a fourth wire which are coupled to a left upper ankle belt and a left lower ankle belt, an obtainer obtaining information about a road surface where a user walks, and a controller controlling tensions of the first wire and the second wire at the same time and controlling tensions of the third wire and the fourth wire at the same time using a first stiffness target value corresponding to the first wire, a second stiffness target value corresponding to the second wire, a third stiffness target value corresponding to the third wire, and a fourth stiffness target value corresponding to the fourth wire that are determined based on the information about the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mayumi Komatsu, Stephen William John
  • Patent number: 10966844
    Abstract: A sliding assembly may include a supporting frame having a proximal end and a distal end, a sliding frame partially inserted to the supporting frame, and a supporting member disposed between the supporting frame and the sliding frame to prevent the supporting frame from directly contacting the sliding frame, wherein the sliding frame is configured to move relative to the supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byungjune Choi, Se-Gon Roh, Youn Baek Lee, Jeonghun Kim, Jongwon Lee, Hyun Do Choi
  • Patent number: 10959870
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and foot support device for dynamically treating plantar fasciitis in the foot of a patient while enabling patient mobility. The method comprises applying tension to the ball of the foot via a strap held in tension by extending the strap to form a continuous loop, from opposite sides of the knee in the leg of the foot in treatment through an opening in a channel guide member oriented relative to the ball of the foot, with the strap connected at opposite ends thereof to the opposite sides of the knee in alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee and controlling dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia while the patient is mobile by slidably adjusting the position of the strap within the channel guide member in response to the mobility of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: REBEL INNOVATIONS INC
    Inventors: Thomas V Hatzis, Stanley Wadolowski, Scott Axelrod, J. Michael Cantore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10945871
    Abstract: An orthotic apparatus includes a leg securing member adapted for attachment to a wearer's lower leg. A resilient strut that flexes in the anterior to posterior direction has an upper end connected to the leg securing member. A heel member is connected to the strut lower end at the heel member. A foot member is connected to the heel member. The foot member has a heel end at the heel member and a toe end spaced horizontally from the heel end. The foot member also has a substantially rigid lower foot plate extending between the heel end and toe end and a substantially rigid upper foot plate extending between the heel end and toe end above and generally parallel to the lower foot plate. In certain examples the orthotic apparatus is integrated with a shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventors: William Stanley Patterson, Michael Eden Littles
  • Patent number: 10945764
    Abstract: A bone positioning device can include a fixation pin for attachment to a first bone and a fixation pin for attachment to a second bone. A first block having an aperture can be included for slidably receiving a fixation pin, and a second block having an aperture can be included for slidably receiving a fixation pin. A multi-axis joint can connect the first block and the second block, where the multi-axis joint allows the first second blocks to move with respect to each other about more than one axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Treace Medical Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Dayton, F. Barry Bays
  • Patent number: 10918558
    Abstract: A portable human exoskeleton system includes a pelvis module, a leg module and a foot module. The pelvis module includes a bendable member and a pelvis module connector. The foot module includes a foot module connector. The leg module includes: a femur module detachably coupled to the pelvis module connector; a tibia module detachably coupled to the foot module connector; and a knee joint component having at least two linkages with different lengths wherein each linkage is pivotally coupled to the femur module and the tibia module. Weight above the hip of the user is exerted on the pelvis module, and transferred to the leg module and the foot module. The exoskeleton system is easily disassembled and carried, and can be worn inside attire without affecting appearance of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventors: Chen-Ming Huang, Yen-Chieh Mao
  • Patent number: 10898403
    Abstract: Assistive movement devices and methods therefor are provided that are capable of redirecting loads from an individual's foot to hip when an individual is recovering from an injury at or below the knee. The devices include a frame assembly comprising an upper member, a lower member, and a joint therebetween. An upper attachment is secured to the upper member and is configured to be secured to the thigh of the individual's leg, and a lower attachment is secured to the lower member or the base and is configured to be secured to a portion of the leg below a knee thereof. A base is secured to the lower member and is configured to support a foot of the leg, and the device adjustably redirects at least a portion of a load resulting from the individual standing and walking from the base to the upper attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Joshua David Auger, Anna Kacius, Patrick Miner, Kevin Kral, Trevor Lear
  • Patent number: 10766133
    Abstract: A legged robotic device is disclosed. The legged robotic device can include a mechanism formed at least in part by a plurality of support members coupled together for relative movement defining a plurality of degrees of freedom, at least some of the plurality of degrees of freedom corresponding to degrees of freedom of a human leg. The legged robotic device can also include a primary drive actuator operable to apply a force or a torque to the support members in a first of the plurality of degrees of freedom. In addition, the legged robotic device can include a second actuator operable to apply a force or a torque to the support members in a second of the plurality of degrees of freedom. The mechanism can be configured to move in a gait-like motion that emulates human gait. The primary drive actuator can be sufficient to actuate the mechanism to move the mechanism in the gait-like motion. The mechanism can be dynamically modified by actuating the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sarcos LC
    Inventor: Fraser M. Smith
  • Patent number: 10751566
    Abstract: A tool for correcting pelvic misalignment includes a generally elongated body with handles at each end, and leg rest portions formed between the handles. The leg rest portions are configured to receive a user's legs at the upper leg/thigh, and to allow the user to isometrically urge their legs in opposite directions, forward and backward, while grasping the handles to hold the tool in place, statically. As a result, a force result on the user's pelvis, creating a rotation that can re-align the user's pelvis with their lumbar spine, and reduce lower back pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Christopher Eugene Beddoe