Design and evaluation of the self-fitting modular orthosis (SFMO)

The standing and walking of paraplegics assisted by the SFMO has been evaluated. The oxygen uptake was used to estimate the metabolic energy cost per distance and time; ground reaction forces provided the information on the amount of the effort exerted by the upper extremities and trunk for propulsion; heart rate showed the amount of the cardiovascular stress; and the gait speed was used to assess the distance that the subject could walk. By comparing the results obtained using the SFMO with data from the literature, it was found that the SFMO is a valuable assistive system for the restoration of gait in paraplegics. The energy consumption, heart rate, speed of progression, and ability to negotiate environmental changes are similar to those obtained with other conventional bracing techniques. However, a soft interface, modular design, light weight, and self-adjustment of the mechanical axes to human joints make the SFMO an advantageous system.