Patent ID: 8585620

Claim:
A powered orthotic system comprising: a wearable component including: a brace having a first section and a second section, the first and second sections coupled to each other at a pivot, the brace configured to be removably attached to a corresponding first and second limb segment of a user such that the pivot is proximate to a joint of the user between each limb segment, the first and the second sections movable with respect to each other to define flexion and extension directions; an electromyographic sensor; an electrically powered actuator assembly in communication with the electromyographic sensor, the actuator assembly coupled to the first and the second sections so as to apply a force that moves the first and the second sections in the flexion direction, the extension direction, or both, the force based on signals from the electromyographic sensor, wherein the actuator assembly includes a motor in a housing and a drive assembly coupled to the motor, the housing positioned proximate to the pivot; and a controller in communication with the actuator assembly that provides system parameters to control operation of the actuator assembly; and a control unit in communication with the wearable component, the control unit including: a processor that modifies the system parameters in the controller; and a user interface, in communication with the processor, that permits user selection of the system parameters, wherein the control unit includes an auto-calibration mode in which an initial electromyographic signal level is measured by the electromyographic sensor for one or more muscles of the user when the muscles are at-rest, and the initial electromyographic signal level is used to adjust an electromyographic signal level measured during subsequent operation of the wearable component.