Device and method for decreasing energy consumption of a person by use of a lower extremity exoskeleton
US9610208B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 2012 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61H3/008
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A lower extremity exoskeleton, configurable to be coupled to a person, includes: leg supports configurable to be coupled to the person's lower limbs and designed to rest on the ground during stance phases, with each leg support having a thigh link and a shank link; two knee joints, each configured to allow flexion and extension between respective shank and thigh links; an exoskeleton trunk configurable to be coupled to the person's upper body, rotatably connectable to the thigh links of the leg supports, allowing for the flexion and extension between the leg supports and the exoskeleton trunk; two hip actuators configured to create torques between the exoskeleton trunk and the leg supports; and at least one power unit capable of providing power to the hip actuators. In use, power is supplied to the hip actuators in an amount to reduce the energy consumed by a user during a walking cycle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.