Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc.

Samuel K Westgard

Ryan J Farris

A biomechanical motion device employs a plurality of actuator cylinders to generate forces representative of human gait loading. The biomechanical motion device includes a crosshead that is manipulated vertically by a set of two vertical pneumatic cylinders, and the crosshead is mounted to two vertical shafts on linear bearings that guide the crosshead in the vertical direction. The biomechanical motion device further includes a horizontal slide system that incorporates a linear carriage rail mounted flush to the bottom of the crosshead. The linear carriage rail guides a sliding carriage, and a custom bracket is mounted to the sliding carriage. Attached to the bracket is a pivot shaft, and the shaft serves as a simulated knee joint about which a lower leg assembly can be rotated. Horizontal motion colinear with the carriage rail of the simulated knee joint connection is generated using a set of two horizontal pneumatic cylinders. This horizontal motion causes the lower leg assembly to pivot about where a prosthetic foot contacts a bottom contact plate during gait to rotate about the pinned knee joint.

Growing community of inventors

Guilford, CT, United States of America

Samuel K Westgard