Electronically controlled long leg brace

Long leg braces are prescribed for those incapable of ambulation due to quadriceps insufficiency or paralysis. These designs lock the knee joint and require the user to adopt an unnatural and energy inefficient gait. A self-contained, electronically controlled brace system has been designed and tested which allows knee flexion during the swing phase of gait, but restricts flexion during the stance, or weight-bearing, phase. Laboratory test results comparing this new brace system and a standard locked Knee-Ankle-Foot-Orthosis show that knee flexion/extension kinematics are improved and that oxygen consumption rates are reduced.