US 12,133,811 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 Oct. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/515,300.
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 2022/0133519 A1, May 5, 2022
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)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A wearable assistive device, comprising:
an extended, hollow, tubular structural member having a closed circumferential cross section, a first end and a second end defining a long axis through a center of the extended, hollow, tubular structural member;
an attachment device coupled to the extended, hollow, tubular structural member and extending medially from the extended, hollow, tubular structural member, the attachment device configured to secure the extended, hollow, tubular structural member to a limb of a user;
a rotational bearing disposed within the extended, hollow, tubular structural member and positioned on the long axis near the second end of the extended, hollow, tubular structural member;
a rotational element coupled to the rotational bearing;
a footplate dimensioned to support a foot of a wearer of the assistive device and coupled to the rotational element such that it may rotate with respect to the long axis of the extended, hollow, tubular structural member;
a leaf spring attached to the extended, hollow, tubular structural member; and
a cable having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the leaf spring and the second end coupled to the rotational element,
wherein the rotational bearing is supported on both ends by a first pair of opposing side walls of the extended, hollow, tubular member, and the rotational element includes a portion that passes through apertures having a closed circumference defined in a second pair of opposing side walls of the extended, hollow, tubular structural member.