GAIT-RESPONSIVE ACTIVE TORSO SUPPORT

摘要

An active torso support that controls force applied to one or more portions of a torso of a subject in response to detected gait of the subject is described. For example, the torso support can be a back brace for providing support to the back of a subject to limit or prevent injury or discomfort. The active torso support includes one or more elements for applying force to the torso of the subject, positioned on the torso of the subject by a positioning element, which may include a belt, for example. Gait of the subject can be determined through analysis of signals from one or more sensors located on the active torso support and/or at a location remote from the active torso support.

主权项

1. An active torso support, comprising:
at least one force applying element adapted to apply force to a portion of a torso of a subject; at least one positioning element adapted to position the at least one force applying element with respect to the torso of the subject; and control circuitry including:
gait analysis circuitry configured to determine a gait of the subject responsive to a signal containing information indicative of the gait of the subject; andactuation circuitry configured to control actuation of the at least one force applying element responsive to the signal indicative of the gait of the subject.