Patent ID: 7552021

Claim:
A system for improving locomotion and motor function of a human user, by changing an inclination or height of a stance surface of a device for donning on a leg of the user during walking, the system comprising: (A) a device including: (a) a platform having, on a top side, a receptacle adapted to receive at least a portion of a bottom of a shoe or foot of the user; (b) a securing mechanism, associated with said receptacle, to secure said shoe or foot in said receptacle; (c) at least one sole adapted for a direct contact with a ground surface; and (d) at least one mechanism, at least partially disposed between, and operatively associated with, said sole and a bottom side of said platform, each of said at least one mechanism including: (i) a motor, operatively connected to a power source, and (ii) at least one thrusting element, mechanically associated with, and activated by, said motor, said thrusting element adapted (I) to move, when in thrusting mode, between said sole and said platform so as to apply an upward force against said bottom side of said platform, thereby changing a height of at least a portion of said platform with respect to said sole; and (II) to apply said upward force against said bottom side of said platform, so as to change said height of said platform, with respect to said sole, such that during a swing phase, said platform is angled with respect to said sole at least along a lateral dimension of said platform; (B) a sensor device including at least one sensor adapted to associate with a lower limb of the user for sensing locomotion of the user, and to produce a data signal related to the sensed locomotion of the user, and (C) a microprocessor operatively connected to said at least one sensor and to said motor, said microprocessor adapted to: (i) receive locomotion information based on said data signal; (ii) process said locomotion information to make a determination of a locomotion phase of the user, and (iii) control a timing of said at least one mechanism, based on said determination, so as to effect said changing of said height during a swing phase of the locomotion of the user.