Patent attributes
Improved customizable orthotic/prosthetic braces and a lightweight modular exoskeleton may aid individuals with lower limb motor impairment, including children. These customizable orthotic/prosthetic braces improve the strength and rigidity of such braces without a weight penalty. A structural frame is embedded between an inner shell and outer shell, which comprise materials that are easily moldable to conform to a user's limb. The lightweight modular exoskeleton system provides six (6) joint actuators, which are designed to be modular, that act as the active joints (e.g. hips, knees, and ankles) of the exoskeleton. Additionally, the exoskeleton may also provide four (4) passive joints for inversion/eversion of the legs and feet. Foot, crutch, and hip assemblies may also be provided for the exoskeleton. Further, the six joint actuators may be utilized between the hip brace assembly and thigh brace assembly, the thigh and shank brace assembly, and the shank brace assembly and foot assembly, where the braces may correspond to the customizable orthotic/prosthetic design. The modularity of the actuators and braces allows for exoskeleton assemblies that can be tailored to patient specific needs.
