This article presents preliminary results on the development of a powered lower limb orthosis intended to provide legged mobility (with the use of a stability aid, such as forearm crutches) to paraplegic individuals. The orthosis contains electric motors at both hip and knee joints that, in conjunction with ankle-foot orthoses, provide appropriate joint kinematics for legged locomotion. The article describes the orthosis and the nature of the controller that enables the spinal cord–injured patient to command the device and presents data from preliminary trials that indicate the efficacy of the orthosis and controller in providing legged mobility.
The National SCI Statistical Center. Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures at a Glance. February 2010. https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/ www.nscisc.uab.edu/
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