Lower-limb orthoses combined with functional electrical stimulation

Orthoses or exoskeletons are solid structures (generally metallic) that can be worn by human users and help them to perform movements. Such structures correct joint motions and prevent the user from deviating normal gait. In this research, we looked for orthoses technologies that are lightweight, safe, comfortable and suited to human characteristics. This critical review focuses only on orthoses that use the muscle residual energy and apply them to passive mechanical resources like hooks, brakes and gears, as well as functional electrical stimulation (FES). The technologies studied are compared each other and their application viabilities are discussed. Technologies that use external energy supply and cause significant increase in the overall weight like electric motors, hydraulic and pneumatic systems are not used.