Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are used to assist persons with lower-limb neuromuscular impairments. We have developed the portable powered AFO (PPAFO). This device uses a bidirectional pneumatic actuator powered by a CO2 bottle to provide dorsiflexor and plantarflexor torque assistance. The PPAFO operates tether-free, allowing for use outside of the laboratory. This system has been tested on one i...

BACKGROUND Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are commonly prescribed during rehabilitation after limb salvage. AFO stiffness is selected to help mitigate gait deficiencies. A new custom dynamic AFO, the Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis (IDEO), is available to injured service members but prescription guidelines are limited. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES In this study we ask (1) does dynamic AFO stiffness a...

The neuropathic foot is a common complication of diabetes mellitus and is associated with development of chronic ulcers and Charcot joints. Treatment of these complications presents a complex management task. This report presents long-term follow-up data on 16 patients with neuropathic changes who were treated with a total contact, laminated, bivalved, rocker-bottom-soled ankle-foot orthosis (T...

INTRODUCTION As the geriatric population is increasing, impairment related to ankle and subtalar arthritis has also become commonplace. Arthodesis is considered the standard procedure for severe ankle or hindfoot arthritis, but there are advocates of total joint arthroplasty, low tibial osteotomy, and distraction arthroplasty (1). In order to preserve patient mobility and function independence,...

Objective. The aim was to compare walking with an individually designed dynamic hinged ankle foot orthosis (DAFO) and a standard carbon composite ankle foot orthosis (C-AFO). Methods. Twelve participants, mean age 56 years (range 26-72), with hemiparesis due to stroke were included in the study. During the six-minute walk test (6MW), walking velocity, the Physiological Cost Index (PCI), and the...

The loss of the grasp function in cervical spinal cord injured (SCI) patients leads to life-long dependency on caregivers and to a tremendous decrease of the quality of life. This article introduces the novel non-invasive modular hybrid neuro-orthosis OrthoJacket for the restoration of the restricted or completely lost hand and arm functions in high tetraplegic SCI individuals. The primary goal...

Passive-dynamic ankle-foot orthoses (PD-AFOs) constitute a class of ankle braces that rely on material properties and physical features to establish functional characteristics such as bending or rotational stiffness. We have developed a novel framework that combines a fully parameterized PD-AFO computer-aided design (CAD) model and free-form fabrication to rapidly manufacture customized PD-AFOs...

BACKGROUND Robotic devices are expected to be widely used in various applications including support for the independent mobility of the elderly with muscle weakness and people with impaired motor function as well as support for nursing care that involves heavy laborious work. We evaluated the effects of a hybrid assistive limb robot suit on the gait of stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation....

BACKGROUND The ability to return to running and sports participation after lower extremity limb salvage has not been well documented previously. Although the ability to ambulate without pain or assistive devices is generally a criteria for a good limb salvage outcome, many patients at our institution have expressed a desire to return to a more athletic lifestyle to include running and sports pa...