Lower-leg exoskeleton system and method

US10543110B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ROAM ROBOTICS INC. · US

Inventors

• Brenton Piercy · San Francisco, US
• Tim Swift · Walnut Creek, US
• Giancarlo Nucci · San Francisco, US
• Callum Lamb · San Bruno, US
• Pete Lynn · Oakland, US
• Saul Griffith · San Francisco, US
• Leanne Luce · San Francisco, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 28, 2016
• Grant date: Jan 28, 2020
• Expiry date: Mar 30, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61H2230/60
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A lower-leg exoskeleton including an inflatable actuator that is configured to be worn over a front portion of a foot of a user; a rigid foot structure coupled to the inflatable actuator that is configured to surround a portion of a foot of the user; and a rigid shin structure coupled to the inflatable actuator and configured to engage the shin of the user. When worn by a user, the lower-leg exoskeleton can receive and transmit an actuator load generated by the inflatable actuator to a load contact point defined by the rigid foot structure which is forward of the heel of a user. Inflation of the inflatable actuator can generate a moment about the ankle of a user to cause flexion of the foot of the user.