Development of hybrid orthosis for standing, walking, and stair climbing after spinal cord injury.

This study explores the feasibility of a hybrid system of exoskeletal bracing and multichannel functional electrical stimulation (FES) to facilitate standing, walking, and stair climbing after spinal cord injury (SCI). The orthotic components consist of electromechanical joints that lock and unlock automatically to provide upright stability and free movement powered by FES. Preliminary results from a prototype device on nondisabled and SCI volunteers are presented.

Development of a hybrid gait orthosis: a case report.

Objective: The purpose of this case study was to improve stability, posture, and speed of gait in an individual with paraplegia through the application of a hybrid system including trunk-hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis (THKAFO) with lockable joints and multichannel functional electrical stimulation (FES) with implanted electrodes.

Methods: Two hybrid orthoses were implemented and evaluated on a person with complete absence of motor function and sensation below the T-9 level spinal cord injury. The first hybrid was a modified isocentric reciprocal gait orthosis (IRGO) with the knees controlled by FES, the ankles fixed at neutral, and the hips coupled with a reciprocator.