Patent ID: 8679040
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: A61H,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An active muscle assistance apparatus, comprising: a brace having a first portion configured to be fastened to a user's leg above a knee and a second portion movably coupled to the first portion and configured to be fastened to the leg below the knee; a foot pressure sensor; a joint angle sensor configured to detect a knee angle; an actuator coupled to the brace, the actuator operative, when energized, to exert force between the first and second portions to assist movement of the leg; and a controller coupled to the actuator and responsive to the foot pressure sensor and the joint angle sensor, the controller configured to trigger the actuator to apply force between the first and second portions to assist movement of the leg if foot pressure is over a threshold amount as sensed by the foot pressure sensor and if the detected knee angle detected by the joint angle sensor indicates that the leg is bent.