External walking assist device for those with lower leg injuries

US8257291B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Homayoon Kazerooni · Berkeley, US
• Sara Haislip · Portland, US
• Jonathan Ames · El Sobrante, US
• Esha Datta · San Francisco, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 11, 2009
• Grant date: Sep 4, 2012
• Expiry date: Nov 25, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61H2201/165
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A walking assist device, which is to be worn on a person's leg, includes a shank link, a thigh member, and a knee mechanism. The thigh member is in contact with the person's thigh when the device is worn on the person's leg. The knee mechanism rotatably connects the shank link to the thigh member. When the shank link is in contact with the ground, the knee mechanism is configured to resist the rotation of the shank link relative to the thigh member to prevent the person's foot from contacting the ground and reduces ground reaction forces entering the person's foot.