HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE FOR LOWER EXTREMITY ORTHOTICS

摘要

A lower extremity orthotic control system determines a movement desired by a user, particularly with a user employing gestures or other signals to convey or express their intent to the system, and automatically regulates the sequential operation of powered lower extremity orthotic components. In a particular application, the orientation of a stance leg is used to determine when the user wants to initiate a step, as well as when the user is in a safe position from which to take a step. The invention has particular applicability for use in enabling a paraplegic user (200) to walk through a controlled operation of a human exoskeleton (100) coupled to the user's lower limbs (205). A controller (220) receives inputs regarding a motion desired by the user (200), determines the desired motion and then controls the movement of the user's legs or limbs (205) through actuation of the exoskeleton (100).