Device and method for decreasing oxygen consumption of a person during steady walking by use of a load-carrying exoskeleton
US8894592B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 10, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61H3/008
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A lower extremity exoskeleton includes: at least one power unit; two leg supports designed to rest on the ground; two knee joints configured to allow flexion and extension between respective shank and thigh links of the leg supports; an exoskeleton trunk rotatably connectable to the leg supports; and two hip actuators configured to create torques between the exoskeleton trunk and the leg supports. In use, the hip actuators create a torque to move the leg supports backward relative to the exoskeleton trunk during a stance phase, which pushes the exoskeleton trunk forward. A second torque may be used to move the leg supports forward relative to the exoskeleton trunk into a swing phase. Additionally, a swing torque may be generated during the swing phase to move the leg support forward relative to the exoskeleton trunk. This results in decreased oxygen consumption and heart rate of a user wearing the exoskeleton.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.