Load-bearing powered exoskeleton using electromyographic control
US10124484B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 2016 |
| Grant date | Nov 13, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S901/46
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An exoskeleton joint for a load-bearing powered exoskeleton includes a first exoskeleton link supporting a weight of an external load being applied to the powered exoskeleton and a second exoskeleton link that transfers the weight of the external load to a support surface, i.e., to the ground. In response to a contraction of a muscle of a human user associated with the exoskeleton joint, an electromyography (EMG) sensor generates EMG sensor data based on the muscle contraction. A controller receives the EMG sensor data, determines an actuator command based on the EMG sensor data, and communicates the actuator command to an actuator associated with the exoskeleton joint. This has the advantage that the exoskeleton joint associated with the human user's joint can be instructed to move in response to contraction of the muscle of the human user before the muscle causes the human user's joint to actually move.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.