Patent Publication Number: US-2020276041-A1

Title: Orthopedic brace to assist with spastic gait

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention pertains to an orthopedic brace. More particularly, this invention pertains to a brace with magnetic assistance that aids in allowing a limb to move past a body part. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Orthopedic braces are used to address a wide range of musculoskeletal issues. Braces are commonly used to properly align, correct positioning, support, stabilize, and protect certain parts of the body. Braces are often used for acute conditions and injuries, although they are used for chronic conditions. Braces are either dynamic or static, with dynamic braces defined as braces that involve some movement or force as compared to static braces that commonly hold joints in a fixed position and are rigid. 
     In the art of orthopedic braces, it is known to use magnets. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,862, by Driver, Jr., issued on Jan. 4, 2005, and titled “Breakaway leg sling.” The Driver patent teaches a static brace that holds the knee in flexion with a breakaway safety fastener  93  that uses cooperating magnets. The breakaway safety fastener  93  disengages when a force greater than the magnetic attraction is applied to the fastener  93 . Disengagement of the magnetic fastener allows the knee to move out of flexion, such as when the person must straighten the leg to regain balance and prevent a potential fall. 
     An example of a dynamic brace is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,191,180, by Berry, issued on Jun. 5, 2012, and titled “Apparatus for preventing head or neck injury using magnetic assistance.” The Berry device includes a helmet  12  and shoulder pads  14 . The helmet  12  has a magnetic housing  16  that cooperates with a magnetic housing  18  in the shoulder pads  14 . The magnetic fields in the two magnetic housings  16 ,  18  oppose each other, thereby providing a cushioning effect when the helmet  12  is forced backwards. 
     There are chronic conditions that are aided by wearing an orthopedic brace. Cerebral palsy is one such condition. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that primarily affects body movement and muscle coordination. One form of cerebral palsy is spastic diplegia, which manifests as a tightness or stiffness in the muscles of the lower extremities of the human body, particularly those of the legs, hips, and pelvis. unlike multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy is not a progressive condition. However, spastic diplegia has symptoms that compound the stresses on the body over time. 
     Persons with spastic diplegia must work to overcome their stiffness and tightness and to push through that stiffness. Such persons do not have a normal gait pattern when walking. A person with spastic diplegia walks with a spastic gait, often called a scissor gait. With a normal gait, the thighs move past each other without offering any substantial resistance. With a scissors gait, the thighs often rub against each other as one leg moves past the other. The rubbing thighs in the scissors gait impedes walking. The instability in walking with the spastic gait results in undue muscle tension in the upper body, particularly the shoulders, chest, and arms. The extra muscle tension is caused by compensatory stabilization movements of the upper body so that the person maintain balance while walking. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, an orthopedic brace with magnetic assistance is provided. In one such embodiment a pair of braces are configured to fit about the upper legs of a person with a spastic or scissors gait. Each brace has a body and at least one magnetic element or device. The magnetic device of one brace works in cooperation with a magnetic device in the other brace. The magnetic devices produce a magnetic field. The interaction of the magnetic fields produces a magnetic force that repels one brace from the other. 
     As the person ambulates the two braces move past each other. The magnetic devices cooperate in a manner to correct the specific gait of the person. For example, for one person the magnetic devices first attract then repel as the legs move together then move apart. For another person, the magnetic devices weakly repel as the legs come together and then strongly repel as the legs move apart. In this way the magnetic devices are configured to aid the gait of the person wearing the braces. In yet another embodiment, the magnetic devices have a uniform magnetic field across their surface. 
     Each brace has a body configured to fit around a leg above the knee. In one embodiment the body includes a carbon fiber sheet that conforms to the shape of the leg. The carbon fiber is light-weight and thin such that the thickness of the braces on the medial side, even with the magnetic elements, is not enough to impede the person ambulating. 
     In one embodiment, discrete magnets are distributed on the medial side of each brace. In one such embodiment, the location and distribution of the magnets is selected to generate the desired magnetic force for each point in the person&#39;s stride to assist in overcoming their spastic gait. In other such embodiments, the magnets are uniformly distributed or distributed in a pre-determined manner. In a second embodiment, the magnetic devices include a magnetized powder that is distributed along the medial face in a manner to produce the desired magnetic force distribution. In various such embodiments, the desired magnetic force distribution is determined to match a gait of a specific person, a standard, pre-determined magnetic field distribution, or a uniform magnetic field distribution. 
     The problem of minimizing rubbing of a person&#39;s thighs against each other while walking with a spastic or scissors gait is solved by each leg having a magnetic device proximate the inner thigh where the magnetic force between the devices on each leg are in opposition and apply a force on the moving leg to minimize contact at the inner thigh. 
     The problem of tailoring the opposing force between the legs is solved by first measuring the person&#39;s gait and then by distributing the magnets on the thigh so as to concentrate the opposing force at the points on the thigh in proportion to the points in the gait that need assistance. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned features will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description read together with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a person wearing one embodiment of the braces. 
         FIG. 2  is a symbolic view of a spastic gait without the aid of the braces. 
         FIG. 3  is a symbolic view in the transverse plane of a spastic gait with the aid of the braces. 
         FIG. 4  is a symbolic view in the transverse plane of the magnetic forces at a first position of the moving leg. 
         FIG. 5  is a symbolic view in the transverse plane of the magnetic forces at a second, mid position of the moving leg. 
         FIG. 6  is a symbolic view in the transverse plane of the magnetic forces at a third position of the moving leg. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a leg brace showing two groups of magnetic elements. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of another embodiment of one leg brace showing magnetic particles. 
         FIG. 9  is a graph showing one embodiment of the magnetic field strength relative to the circumference of the brace. 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view showing the configuration for the curing process of one embodiment of a brace. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Apparatus for an orthopedic brace is disclosed. The orthopedic braces are generally indicated as  100 , with particular embodiments and variations shown in the figures and described below having an alphabetic suffix, for example,  100 -R-A,  100 -R-B. Furthermore, left and right elements are designated with a suffix when pertinent, such as when discussing the left support device  106 -L and the right support device  106 -R, and the left and right designation is omitted when discussing the support device  106  generally. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a person  102  wearing one embodiment of the braces  100 . The person  102  wears a left brace  100 -L on the thigh of her left leg  104 -L. The braces  100  are worn between the crotch and knee, although the greatest effect is achieved when worn closer to the knee. The person  102  wears a right brace  100 -R on the thigh of her right leg  104 -R. A person  102  walking with a normal gait moves one foot past the other, one at a time. The person&#39;s thighs may brush against each other, but with a normal gait any contact between the thighs does not impede the gait nor the forward motion. 
     Each brace  100 -L,  100 -R includes a support device  106  and a magnetic device  110 .  FIG. 1  illustrates the left brace  100 -L with its support device  106 -L and magnetic device  110 -L visible. In the illustrated embodiment, the support device  106 -L fits around the thigh of the person  102 . In one embodiment, the support devices  106  are rigid structures that are held in position around the thigh. In another embodiment, the support devices  106  are flexible structures, such as a sleeve that fits around the thigh. In yet another embodiment, the support devices  106  are a combination of rigid and flexible structures, such as where the portion that supports the magnetic device  110  is rigid with a flexible portion extending around the leg  104  and securing the rigid portion in place. 
     Each of the braces  100  support a magnetic device  110  medial to the corresponding leg  104  proximate the thighs. In the illustrated embodiment, each magnetic device  110  is positioned proximate the medial portion of the brace  100 . In one embodiment, each magnetic device  110 -L,  110 -R extends approximately half-way around the thigh of the person  102 . That is, each magnetic device  110 -L,  110 -R is bounded by the median plane of the associated leg  104 -L,  104 -R. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a symbolic view in the transverse plane of a person  102  with a spastic or scissor gait walking a half-step without the aid of the braces  100 . A spastic or scissors gait is a gait abnormality primarily associated with spastic diplegia, which is a form of spastic cerebral palsy. Spastic diplegia manifests as a tightness or stiffness in the muscles of the lower extremities of the human body. Often the adductors are out of phase with the quadriceps and hip flexors. Unlike a normal gait where the thighs move past each other without offering any resistance to the forward movement  206 , a person  102  with a spastic gait will typically walk with their legs coming close together as they pass, often rubbing against each other and impeding the movement of the leg moving forward. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an outline of the torso and mid-thighs of the person  102  with the left leg  104 -L stationary and the right leg  104 -R taking one step in the forward direction  206 . The right leg  104 -R moves from the posterior position  204 -A to the anterior position  204 -D. In the posterior position  204 -A the leg  104 -R is in flexion. In the anterior position  204 -D the leg  104 -R is in extension. 
     The person  102  moves the right leg  104 -R forward in direction  202 -AB from a first position  204 -A to a second position  204 -B where the right leg  104 -R collides with the left leg  104 -L. Depending upon the severity of the person&#39;s spastic gait the right leg  104 -R drags across the medial surface of the left leg  104 -L, either with assistance or under the person&#39;s motor control, in a direction  202 -BC until the right leg  104 -R crosses the medial-lateral plane  208  of the left leg  104 -L. When the person&#39;s right leg  104 -R reaches the third position  204 -C the right leg  104 -R has cleared the left leg  104 -L and moves forward in direction  202 -CD to the forward or anterior position  204 -D. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a symbolic view in the transverse plane of a person  102  with a spastic gait with the aid of the braces  100 . The medial thigh portion of the left brace  100 -L includes a left magnetic device  110 -L, and the medial thigh portion of the right brace  100 -R includes a right magnetic device  110 -R. 
     The right leg  104 -R starts in a first position  204 -A identical to the forth position  204 -D shown in  FIG. 2 . The person  102  moves the right leg  104 -R forward in direction  202 -AB′ from a first position  204 -A to a second position  204 -B′ where the right leg  104 -R is spaced apart from the left leg  104 -L. The right leg  104 -R continues moving in direction  202 -BC′ without minimal, if any, contact with the left leg  104 -L as the right leg  104 -R crosses the medial-lateral plane  208  of the left leg  104 -L. When the person&#39;s right leg  104 -R reaches the third position  204 -C′ the right leg  104 -R has cleared the left leg  104 -L and moves forward in direction  202 -CD′ to the forward or anterior position  204 -D, which is identical to the forth position  204 -D shown in  FIG. 2 . The spastic gait as shown in  FIG. 2  has been corrected so that the person  102  walks more easily in the forward direction  206 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a symbolic view in the transverse plane of the magnetic forces  402  at a first position  404  of the moving leg  104 -R.  FIG. 5  illustrates a symbolic view in the transverse plane of the magnetic forces  502  at a second, mid position  504  of the moving leg  104 -R.  FIG. 6  illustrates a symbolic view in the transverse plane of the magnetic forces  602  at a third position  604  of the moving leg  104 -R. The magnetic forces  402 ,  502 ,  602  are illustrated as having a direction that tends to move the legs  104 -L,  104 -R away from each other. That is, the legs  104 -L,  104 -R are being repelled by each other. The repelling forces  402 ,  502 ,  602  aid in alleviating the tendency of a spastic gait to have the legs  104  collide when one passes the other. 
     The medial thigh portion of the left brace  100 -L includes a left magnetic device  110 -L, and the medial thigh portion of the right brace  100 -R includes a right magnetic device  110 -R. In order to produce the magnetic forces  402 ,  502 ,  602  that repel the legs  104 -L,  104 -R, magnetic devices  110 -L,  110 -R are positioned on each brace  100 -L,  100 -R. As the legs  104 -L,  104 -R move relative to each other the magnetic devices  110 -L,  110 -R interact to produce the desired force. 
     The magnetic devices  110 -L,  110 -R each produce a magnetic field that produces the repelling forces  402 ,  502 ,  602 . The magnetic fields are produced in various ways. For example, the magnetic devices  110  have permanent magnets  702 , such as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . In another example, the magnetic devices  110  include magnetic particles  802 , such as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 10 . In yet another example, the magnetic devices  110  include electromagnetic devices that produce the magnetic fields. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an isometric view of one embodiment of a right leg brace  100 -R-A showing a magnetic device  110 -R that includes two groups of magnetic elements  702 -A,  702 -P. The corresponding left leg brace  100 -L is a mirror image of the right leg brace  100 -R-A. The anterior-posterior plane includes a line  706 -S that is illustrated as being parallel to the direction  206  of forward movement and is parallel to the sagittal plane of the person  102 . The medial-lateral plane  208 , illustrated as a line in the figure, bisects the leg  104 -R into anterior and posterior halves. 
     The illustrated brace  100 -R-A includes a support device  106  and at least two groups of magnets  702 -A,  702 -P. The support device  106  includes a brace body  704  configured to fit around the upper leg  104 -R of the person  102 . The brace body  704  has a medial side  708  that is positioned to interact with a corresponding medial side  708  on the other brace  100 . The brace body  704  is sized to fit around the upper thigh of the person  102 . In one embodiment the body  704  is a semi-rigid structure formed to the shape of the person&#39;s leg  104 . For example, a carbon fiber sheet has a shape that fits around the leg  104 . In one embodiment the body includes a semi-rigid portion and a flexible portion. The semi-rigid portion supports the magnets  702  and the flexible portion is an elastic or other material that allows the brace  100  to be easily donned, worn, and removed. The body  704  is a thin material, as are the magnets  702 . In this way the combined thickness of the body  704  and magnets  702  do not further impede the movement of one leg  104  past the other. The magnets  702  do not protrude or otherwise present a surface that will catch on the other brace  100  as one leg  104  moves past the other. 
     The brace  100 -R-A includes at least groups of magnets  702 -A,  702 -P. One group of magnets  702 -A are positioned anteriorly to the medial-lateral plane  208 . The other group of magnets  702 -P are positioned posteriorly to the medial-lateral plane  208 . In the illustrated embodiment the magnets  702 -A,  702 -P are arranged such that the poles are symmetrical, that is, the North poles are aligned together. In this way as the two braces  100 -L,  100 -R come near each other the magnets  702  of one brace  100  repel the magnets  702  of the other brace  100 . The magnets  702  are “super magnets” or rare earth magnets, such as those made of neodymium. 
     In one embodiment, each group of magnets  702 -A,  702 -P are composed of a single magnet of the desired strength. In one such embodiment the magnets  702 -A,  702 -P are curved to conform to the shape of the brace  100 . In another embodiment, each group of magnets  702 -A,  702 -P are composed of multiple magnets with a spacing and configuration to produce a desired magnetic force  402 ,  502 ,  602  distribution. In such an embodiment the magnets  702 -A,  702 -P are substantially planar. 
     Using  FIG. 4  as a reference, the anterior magnet  702 -A on the right leg brace  100 -R-A is nearest the posterior magnet  702 -P on the left leg brace  100 -L. Because the poles of the magnets  702 -A,  702 -P are aligned the two sets of magnets  702 -A,  702 -P repel, thereby applying a repelling force  402  to each brace  100 -L,  100 -R. 
     Using  FIG. 5  as a reference, the anterior magnet  702 -A and the posterior magnet  702 -P on the right leg brace  100 -R-A are adjacent the anterior magnet  702 -A and the posterior magnet  702 -P, respectively, on the left leg brace  100 -L. In this position the braces  100 -L,  100 -R are adjacent each other with the medial-lateral planes  208  of each leg  104 -L,  104 -R aligned. Accordingly, the anterior magnets  702 -A oppose each other and the posterior magnets  702 -P oppose each other, thereby applying a repelling force  502  to each brace  100 -L,  100 -R. 
     Using  FIG. 6  as a reference, the posterior magnet  702 -P on the right leg brace  100 -R-A is nearest the anterior magnet  702 -A on the left leg brace  100 -L. Because the poles of the magnets  702 -A,  702 -P are aligned the two sets of magnets  702 -A,  702 -P repel, thereby applying a repelling force  602  to each brace  100 -L,  100 -R. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an isometric view of another embodiment of a right leg brace  100 -R-B showing a magnetic device  110 -R that includes magnetic particles  802  embedded in the medial side  708  of the body  704  that interacts with the brace  100 -L on the other leg  104 . The corresponding left leg brace  100 -L is a mirror image of the right leg brace  100 -R-B. In the illustrated embodiment the magnet  802  is embedded in the body  704  such that the magnetic force is generated over a broad surface. For example, neodymium powder is distributed along the body  704  on the side that interacts with the other brace  100 . The powder  802  is magnetized after it is embedded in the brace body  704 . Spreading the neodymium powder across the side of the brace  100 -R-B allows the magnetic field  906  to be smoothly distributed along a circumferential length of the brace  100 -R-B, thereby avoiding the step change in the magnetic field strength exhibited by discrete magnets  702 . 
     Another method of making a brace  100  such as illustrated in  FIG. 8  is with a 3D printer or similar fabrication device. For example, a selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printer deposits the powder  802  in a desired pattern and shape with the SLS printer sintering the powder  802 . In one such example the sintered powder  802  is mated to a brace body  702  and then the powder  802  is magnetized. In this way the sintered powder  802  is pre-fabricated for use with various sized brace bodies  702 , thereby accommodating various sizes and configurations of braces  100 . In another example the SLS printer forms a substrate with the powder  802  sintered integrally with the substrate. The substrate forms part or all of the brace body  702 . In this example the sintered powder  802  is supported and protected for later magnetization and use. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a graph showing one embodiment of a magnetic field strength curve  906  of the magnetic field strength magnitude  902  relative to the circumference  904  of the brace  100 . The circumference  904  zero point  910  on the graph of  FIG. 9  corresponds to where the medial-lateral plane  208  intersects the medial side  708  of the brace  100 . The units on the circumference  904  are in degrees as if the body  704  were cylindrical, which it is not, although it approximates a cylinder. 
     It bears noting that the illustrated magnetic field strength curve  902  represents the field strength along the surface of the brace  100 . The magnetic field strength  902 , when considering the distance between the braces  100 -L,  100 -R, is related to the magnetic force  402 ,  502 ,  602  as further described below. Magnetic force varies in accordance with the inverse-square law, that is, magnetic force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the two poles. 
     Using  FIG. 4  as a reference, the magnetic field strength  914  corresponding to the first magnetic force  402  is greater than the field strength  502  is at the zero point  910 . As one leg  104 -R moves forward toward the other leg  104 -L, a strong magnetic field  914  is used to generate sufficient magnetic force  402  between the braces  100  to avoid a collision of the legs  104 . Using  FIG. 5  as a reference, as the leg  104 -R moves adjacent the other leg  104 -L, the magnetic field strength  915  is reduced. At this position the braces  100  are at their closest and the magnetic field  915  produces a magnetic force  502 . The strength of the magnetic force  502 , in many cases, is sufficient to prevent the braces  100 -L,  100 -R from touching. Using  FIG. 6  as a reference, the magnetic field strength  916  corresponding to the magnetic force  602  increases. 
     The shape of the magnetic field strength curve  902  will vary depending upon the particular needs of the person  102  wearing the braces  100 . A physical therapist evaluates the gait of the person  102  and determines how much force is necessary to correct the spastic gait at each point in the person&#39;s stride. The relationship of force versus stride position is the force profile for that person&#39;s gait. The magnetic field strength  902  at each point in the person&#39;s stride is determined by the amount of force at that point and the distance between the person&#39;s legs  104  at the point where the braces  100  will be worn. After the magnetic field strength curve  902  is determined, the distribution and strength of the magnets  702 ,  802  is determined. For example, when the curve  902  is asymmetrical, for the embodiment  100 -R-A illustrated in  FIG. 7 , more or stronger magnets  702  are used on one side of the zero point  910  than the other side. For the embodiment  100 -R-B illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the magnetic field strength  902  is precisely tailored by the distribution of the magnetized powder  802 . 
     In one test a magnetic force  402 ,  502 ,  602  of approximately four pounds of static force was found to be sufficient to prevent collision of the thighs of a fourteen year old female. The subject female had strong adductors that pulled her legs together as she walked. 
     The first step in making a brace  100  is to determine the characteristics of the person  102  who will wear the braces  100 . This step includes measuring the size of the legs  104  to determine the size of the support device  106 . This step also includes evaluating the gait of the person  102  to determine how much force is necessary to correct the spastic gait. 
     Knowing the characteristics of the person  102 , the braces  100  are made by selecting support devices  106  of the appropriate size to fit the person  102  and by selecting magnetic devices  110 , each with a magnetic distribution appropriate to the person  102 . In the embodiment with the magnetizable powder  802 , the powder  802  is magnetized to correspond to the force profile determined for the person  102 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a plan view showing the configuration for the curing process of one embodiment of a brace  100 -B such as the one shown in  FIG. 8 . The illustrated embodiment is one example of the process for fabricating a brace  100 -B with a desired magnetic field strength curve  906  for the magnetic device  110 . 
     The illustrated support device  106  is a body  704  shown with the magnetic device  110  and a magnetizing mandrel  1004 . The magnetic device  110  is shown symbolically as a dispersion of magnetic particles or powder  802  across the substrate  1002 . The magnetic particles  802  are embedded in the substrate  1002 , which is attached to the body  704 . The magnetic device  110  is disposed around approximately one-half of the body  704  on its medial side  708 . 
     The magnetic particles  802  are positioned on the substrate  1002  in a concentration corresponding to the magnetic field strength  902  desired around the magnetic device  110 . That is, the portion of the magnetic device  110  where a greater magnetic field strength  902  is desired has a greater concentration of magnetic particles  802  such as shown where the medial-lateral plane  208  bisects the body  704  on the medial side  708 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the magnetic field strength curve  906  has a maximum magnetic field strength  902  in the center of the magnetic device  110  and the magnetic field strength  902  decreases in the anterior and posterior directions in the magnetic device  110 . 
     Inside the body  704  is the magnetizing mandrel  1004  that magnetizes the magnetic particles  802  as the substrate  1002  cures. The magnetizing mandrel  1004  is positioned inside the body  704  when the substrate  1002  is being cured. In this way the magnetic particles  802  will be fixed in position on the magnetic device  110 -R with the desired magnetic polarity after the substrate  1002  is cured. The magnetic particles  802 , in one embodiment, include rare earth elements that are ferromagnetic. As such, the magnetic particles  802  can be permanently magnetized. Additionally, rare earth elements have crystalline structures that are aligned when exposed to a strong magnetic field, such as produced by the magnetizing mandrel  1004 . 
     The process for fixing the desired magnetic field strength curve  906  relative to the body  704  includes the step of positioning the uncured substrate  1002  at the desired location on the body  704 . The magnetic particles  802  are distributed across the surface of the substrate  1002  with the desired density for each portion of the magnetic device  110 . The magnetic particles  802  mix with the substrate  1002  such that the particles  802  are encapsulated within the substrate  1002 . In one embodiment, the magnetic particles  802  are distributed throughout the substrate  1002  with a density such that the resulting magnetic field varies over the surface of each magnetic device  110 -L,  110 -R with a direct relationship to the density of the particles  802 . Such an embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 10  where a large portion of the magnetic particles  802  are concentrated medially with fewer concentrated anteriorly and posteriorly. In another embodiment, the magnetic particles  802  are evenly distributed throughout the substrate  1002  such that the resulting magnetic field is uniform over the surface of each magnetic device  110 -L,  110 -R. In yet another embodiment, the magnetic particles  802  are distributed throughout the substrate  1002  of each magnetic device  110 -L,  110 -R such that the magnetic devices  110 -L,  110 -R have different magnetic field distributions. 
     After the magnetic particles  802  are embedded in the substrate  1002 , the substrate  1002  is cured as the magnetic mandrel  1004  applies a magnetic field to the magnetic device  110 . In one embodiment, the substrate  1002  is an epoxy applied to the external surface of the body  704 . In such an embodiment, the substrate  1002  is cured by applying heat. The magnetic mandrel  1004  maintains the alignment of the polarity of the magnetic particles  802  as the substrate  1002  cures such that the brace  100 -B has a magnetic device  110  with the desired magnetic field strength curve  906 . 
     The braces  100  include various functions. The function of repelling the legs  104 -L,  104 -R as one passes the other is implemented, in one embodiment, by each magnetic device  110 -L,  110 -R having a magnetic field orientation that repels the magnetic field of the other magnetic device  110 -R,  110 -L. 
     The function of attaching the magnetic devices  110 -L,  110 -R to the person  102  is implemented, in one embodiment, by a pair of support devices  106 -L,  106 -R to which the magnetic devices  110 -L,  110 -R are secured at a desired position on each  104 -L,  104 -R. 
     The function of distributing a magnetic field on a pair of magnetic devices  110 -L,  110 -R is implemented, in one embodiment, by magnetic particles  802  suspended in a substrate  1002 , with the density of the magnetic particles  802  directly related to the strength of the magnetic field over a portion of the magnetic devices  110 -L,  110 -R. In another embodiment, the function of distributing a magnetic field on a pair of magnetic devices  110 -L,  110 -R is implemented by positioning a plurality of discrete magnets  702  arranged so as to produced the desired magnetic field distribution. 
     From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that braces  100  have been provided. Each brace  100  is configured to fit around a thigh of the person. Each brace  100  includes magnets  702 ,  802  that are positioned so as to aid the wearer in overcoming a spastic gait. In one embodiment, the person&#39;s gait is measured and the magnetic devices are distributed along the brace  100 -L,  100 -R so as to provide an optimum level of assistance as each leg moves past the other leg when ambulating. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.