US 12,127,963 B2
Differential and variable stiffness orthosis design with adjustment methods, monitoring and intelligence
Zachary F Lerner, Flagstaff, AZ (US); Grigoriy Orekhov, Flagstaff, AZ (US); and Leah Liebelt, Flagstaff, AZ (US)
Assigned to ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY, Flagstaff, AZ (US)
Filed by Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ (US)
Filed on Jan. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/095,940.
Application 18/095,940 is a continuation of application No. 17/515,300, filed on Oct. 29, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/215,336, filed on Jun. 25, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/107,275, filed on Oct. 29, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0165699 A1, Jun. 1, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 5/01 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 5/0127 (2013.01) [A61F 2005/0155 (2013.01); A61F 2005/0167 (2013.01); A61F 2005/0179 (2013.01)] 29 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A wearable assistive device, comprising:
an extended, linear structural member having a first end and a second end defining a long axis;
an attachment device coupled to the extended, linear, structural member and extending medially from the extended, linear, structural member, the attachment device configured to secure the member to a limb of a user;
a rotational bearing disposed within the extended, linear, structural member and positioned on the long axis near the second end of the extended, linear, structural member;
a footplate dimensioned to support a foot of a wearer of the assistive device and coupled to the rotational bearing such that it may rotate about an axis of rotation that is orthogonal to the long axis of the extended, linear, structural member;
a first leaf spring attached to the extended, linear, structural member, the leaf spring having a long axis extending parallel to the long axis of the extended, linear, structural member; and
an engagement mechanism coupling the footplate to the first leaf spring, the engagement mechanism arranged and configured to engage and deflect the first leaf spring when the footplate rotates beyond a predetermined rotational position in a first direction.