PubMed · 5131741
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R Lipskin. 1971. Materials in orthotics.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5131741/
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Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a means of restoring gait to individuals with spinal cord injury, but the performance of most FES-aided gait systems is hampered by the rapid muscle fatigue which results from stimulated muscle contraction and the inadequate control of joint torques necessary to produce desired limb trajectories. The controlled-brake orthosis (CBO) addresses these limitations by utilizing FES in combination with a long-leg brace that contains controllable friction brakes at the knees and hips. A laboratory version of the CBO utilizing computer-controlled magnetic particle brakes at the joints was designed and constructed, and preliminary results with a single spinal cord injury (SCI) subject have demonstrated reduced fatigue and more repeatable gait trajectories when compared to FES-aided gait without the brace. Significant work remains to demonstrate the efficacy of the concept across a wide range of SCI subjects and to design a system which meets appropriate user requirements of size, weight, cosmesis, ease of use and cost. The primary purpose of the paper is to detail the design of the CBO.
STUDY DESIGN: This study evaluated a lightweight Minerva cervicothoracic orthosis with an occipital flare and forehead strap. OBJECTIVE: The orthosis was evaluated for its ability to immobilize the cervical spine in normal healthy volunteers. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Previous studies have been performed to evaluate cervical orthoses. Exception for the halo brace, none have controlled the upper cervical spine very well. The brace tested in the present report incorporates an occipital flare and forehead strap to better control the upper cervical spine. METHODS: Sixteen healthy male volunteers were evaluated in and out of the orthosis in three planes of motion. Maximal active cervical flexion, extension, and lateral bending were recorded and measured radiographically. Rotation was measured from overhead photographs. RESULTS: In a comparison of the present results with those of similar previous studies, improvement in control of flexion/extension of the upper cervical spine and in control of rotation was found. The occiput to C1 level, however, remained poorly controlled. CONCLUSION: This orthosis provides good control of the cervical spine below C1.