ORTHOTIC AND ASSISTIVE DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS

摘要

An orthotic and assistive device for persons with disabilities is provided. The device is configured to allow the user to safely and more fully participate in conventional activities, such as riding a horse and a bicycle. Components of the device support the user and maintain the user in a desired form. Components of the device are inexpensively and quickly produced by 3D printing. As such, components can be custom fit for each user to enhance the effectiveness of the device.

主权项

1. An orthotic device for use in hippotherapy comprising:
a torso support element comprising a pair of opposed torso members that are spaced from each other to define an opening for a torso of a user and at least one tether configured to couple the opposed torso members to each other, wherein each torso member comprises a support wall configured to selectively limit movement of the torso of the user and wherein the support wall has an upper edge, an inner surface configured to face the user, and an opposed outer surface configured to face away from the user; at least one animal engagement member comprising an arm sized and shaped to conform to a portion of the back of an animal, wherein the arm has a bottom surface configured to rest on the animal and an opposed upper surface facing away from the animal; and at least one strut configured to couple the torso support element to the at least one animal engagement member, wherein the at least one strut has a first end fixedly attached to a portion of the upper surface of the animal engagement member and a second end fixedly attached to a portion of the outer surface of the torso support element.