GB2624025A

GB2624025A - Brace apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2624025A
Application number: GB2216476.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gompertz Nicholas
Original assignee: Earswitch Ltd
Current assignee: Earswitch Ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-04
Filing date: 2022-11-04
Publication date: 2024-05-08
Also published as: GB202216476D0

Abstract

A brace apparatus 1 comprises means for securing the brace apparatus to a torso of said user e.g. an adjustable belt 2, a support 3, 4 for at least part of an arm, wrist and/or hand of a user and an actuator 12 capable of moving the support and a controller 5, operatively connected to the actuator to control movement thereof from a first to a second condition. The actuator may be electric or hydraulic motor or a solenoid. The support may comprise a pivoted support frame secured to the belt and having a runner mounted extending second frame for arm extension. The controller may be mounted in an ear-canal to detect inter alia, voluntary movement of the tympanic membrane, malleus or proximal ear-canal wall movement to command brace movement preferably by wireless communication. The apparatus may have a robotic glove connected by flexible linkages 17 to a further actuator 20 or antagonistic system. Fitted to a user to benefit from active or passive movement following injury congenital limb difference or illness.

Description

Brace Apparatus The present invention relates to a Brace Apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a waist-wearable brace apparatus, which supports at least part of an arm of a user.

Upper limb disability, owing to neurological disorders such as stroke, cervical spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy and progressive neuropathies, amputation and/or congenital upper limb deficiency, dramatically affects people's lives. There is a need for affordable devices to help provide upper limb function in daily living, and provide rehabilitation.

Wrist and forearm supports are known which support at least part of the forearm from an apparatus which is wearable at a waist of a user. However, whilst these may function to provide support to the weight of the arm, they do not provide passive movement of the wrist and fingers, for improving range of movement and reducing flexor contractions. These supports are not designed to provide a movable support per se, and cannot provide rehabilitation which requires regular movement.

Some amount of adjustment is provided by known supports, as the support can be set in a desired position but, once set, the forearm position is set too. As such, these supports would not be considered movable nor could they function to facilitate rehabilitation. In particular, the prior art supports cannot provide active-assisted or passive movement -e.g. for raising one's hand to one's mouth, forming a fist or gasping an object.

Suits and robotic prostheses are also known, but these tend to be targeted at able-bodied individuals or are static devices used intermittently to provide passive movement during physical therapy sessions. The prior art offers no commercially available technologies which are easily worn and provide active functional control alongside continuous real-life rehabilitation during daily living activities. Assistive exoskeletons are already known in the art but these are typically relatively significant external structures not yet suitable for daily living activities, such as feeding. As such, none are yet capable of providing assistive living. Besides, the term exoskeleton is often used with respect to humans as a form of brace which assists the strength and/or movement of an able-bodied person and, so, exoskeletons are not necessarily prior art to the present invention, which is clearly more focussed at rehabilitation.

As for gripping an item, in the past robotic prosthetics have utilised a physical switch operated by the other 'good' hand or through detectors detecting prolonged muscle contracture within the limb stump, to alter grip. As a 'good' hand must operate a switch, it cannot grip something else, which prevents dual-hand manipulation of objects. Myoelectric limbs detect residual electrical signals within an affected limb or stump so as to provide control of the limb; however, a physical switch on the prosthetic limb is still used to change the grip of a prosthetic hand, or prolonged muscle contracture, limiting the potential for natural bilateral cooperative hand function.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides brace apparatus comprising: means for securing the brace apparatus to a torso of said user; means for supporting at least part of an arm, wrist and/or hand of a user; actuator means, capable of affecting movement of the means for supporting; and means for controlling, operatively connected to the actuator means, to affect movement thereof; wherein the means for controlling is configured to detect a control signal from said user, and is capable of acting upon that control signal to control movement of the actuator means and, thereby, the means for supporting, to move the means for supporting from a first condition to a second condition.

Preferably, the means for controlling comprises: a switch; a controller; and/or one or more sensors locatable at least partially at or within an ear of said user.

Preferably, collectively or independently controlling the means for supporting at least part of the arm, wrist and/or hand of said user.

Preferably, the one or more sensors are locatable within, or at least near to, the ear-canal of said user.

Preferably, the one or more sensors is/are configured to detect resultant movement of, or other change in a characteristic of, a tympanic membrane, malleus and/or ear-drum margin of said user.

Preferably, the one or more sensors is/are configured to detect one or more specific facial movements of said user through detecting resultant movement of, or other change in a characteristic of, a/the tympanic membrane, malleus, and/or eardrum margin of said user.

Preferably, the one or more sensors is/are configured to detect isolated and controllable ear-drum movements.

Preferably, the one or more sensors is/are configured to detect one or more voluntary and identifiable ear-drum movements of said user.

Preferably, the means for controlling is configured to: move the means for supporting from a lowered condition to a raised condition, relative said user, and/or vice versa; move the means for supporting uprightly; move the means for supporting laterally; move the means for supporting anteriorly; move the means for supporting posteriorly; move the means for supporting reciprocally; move the means for supporting to touch and/or grip an object; and/or move the means for supporting so as to raise a hand of said user to its mouth, or any combination of the above.

Preferably, the means for securing is configured to be mountable to a waist of said user.

Preferably, the means for securing is configured to support the weight of the apparatus and/or an arm, wrist and/or hand of said user through a torso of said user, reducing any downwards pull on a shoulder of said user.

Preferably, the means for securing is configured to directly support the weight of the means for supporting and the actuator means through a waist of said user. Preferably, the means for securing comprises an adjustable belt.

Preferably, the means for supporting is configured to support an arm of said user at, at least, an elbow or forearm, enabling movement of said elbow or forearm.

Preferably, the forearm support is configured to provide additional rotation of the forearm (pronation / supination).

Preferably, the means for supporting is configured to support a wrist and/or hand of said user, enabling movement of said wrist and/or hand.

Preferably, enabling upright, lateral and/or reciprocal movement thereof.

Preferably, the means for supporting is a glove or one or more finger supports configured to enable movement of one or more digits of a user's hand.

Preferably enabling touching, and/or a gripping or releasing movement thereof.

Preferably, enabling independent movement of the wrist and/or hand without movement of the forearm or elbow.

Preferably, the means for supporting comprises one or more movable linkages and/or mechanisms which are operatively connected so as to replicate normal movement of an arm, wrist, hand and/or finger of a user.

Preferably, the one or more linkages and/or mechanisms are, at or towards a first end, operatively connected to the means for securing and, at or towards a second end, operatively connected to an arm, wrist, hand and/or finger support.

Preferably, the arm support is a forearm support.

Most preferably, the arm, wrist, hand and/or finger support is/are cable-driven or hydraulics driven.

Preferably, the actuator means is operatively connected to the means for supporting, providing active-assisted or passive movement thereof.

Preferably, the actuator means comprises: one or more motors, linear actuators, solenoids, batteries, rods, pulleys, belts and/or cables; or hydraulics apparatus.

Preferably, the one or more motors, linear actuators, solenoids and/or batteries are directly located on the means for securing.

Preferably, the one or more motors, solenoids and/or batteries are mounted on an adjustable belt. Preferably, at least part of the hydraulics apparatus is mounted on an adjustable belt.

Preferably, the means for supporting and the means for securing are configured to provide a left-arm and right-arm configuration.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method for controlling a brace apparatus comprising: securing the brace apparatus to a torso of a user, which apparatus comprises at least means for supporting at least part of an arm, wrist and/or hand of the user and actuator means for affecting movement of the means for supporting; detecting a control signal from said user, and acting upon that control signal to control movement of the actuator means and, thereby, the means for supporting, to move the means for supporting from a first condition to a second condition.

Preferably, the method further comprising detecting: an electronic control signal; and/or resultant movement of, or other change in a characteristic of, a tympanic membrane, malleus and/or ear-drum margin of the user.

Preferably, the method further comprising detecting one or more specific 10 facial movements of said user through detecting resultant movement of, or other change in a characteristic of, a/the tympanic membrane, malleus and/or ear-drum margin of the user.

Preferably, the method comprising locating one or more sensors at least partially at or within an ear of the user. Most preferably, locating the one or more sensors within, or at least near to, the ear-canal of said user.

Preferably, detecting isolated and controllable ear-drum movements. Preferably, detecting one or more voluntary and identifiable ear-drum movements of the user.

Preferably, the method comprising: moving the means for supporting from a lowered condition to a raised condition, relative the user, and/or vice versa; moving the means for supporting uprightly; moving the means for supporting laterally; moving the means for supporting anteriorly; moving the means for supporting posteriorly; moving the means for supporting reciprocally; moving the means for supporting to touch and/or grip an object; and/or moving the means for supporting so as to raise a hand of the user to its mouth, or any combination of the above.

Preferably, the method comprising mounting the brace apparatus to a waist of the user.

Preferably, further comprising supporting the weight of the apparatus, and/or an arm, wrist and/or hand of the user through a torso of the user, and reducing any downwards pull on a shoulder of the user.

Preferably, directly supporting the weight of the means for supporting and the 5 actuator means through a/the waist of the user.

Preferably, further comprising: supporting an arm of the user at, at least, an elbow and/or forearm; and/or. supporting a wrist and/or hand of said user.

Preferably, providing upright, anterior, lateral and/or reciprocal movement 10 thereof.

Preferably, when the means for supporting is a glove or one or more finger supports, providing movement of one or more digits of the user's hand.

Preferably, enabling touching, and/or a gripping or releasing of an object. Preferably, the method comprising controlling movement of the actuator means to provide active-assisted or passive movement thereof.

Preferably, locating the one or more motors, linear motors, solenoids and/or batteries, or at least part of hydraulics apparatus, directly on a waist region of the brace apparatus. Most preferably, mounting the one or more motors, solenoids and/or batteries on an adjustable belt.

Preferably, one or more control signals act to operate the means for supporting at least part of an arm, wrist and/or hand of the user to provide collectively controlled movement of an arm, wrist, hand and/or finger of the user, or independently controlled movement.

Preferably, the brace apparatus comprises one or more features of the first 25 aspect.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides brace apparatus comprising: means for securing the brace apparatus to a torso of said user; and movable means for supporting at least part of an arm, wrist and/or hand of a user; wherein the means for supporting is configured to be responsive to an input movement from said user to move the means for supporting from a first condition to a second condition.

Preferably, the means for supporting comprises slide means or rail means for moving and supporting at least part of an arm, wrist and/or hand of a user. Preferably, the means for supporting is configured to move uprightly, laterally, anteriorly, posteriorly, and/or reciprocally.

Preferably, the means for supporting comprises one or more features of the means for supporting according to the first aspect. Preferably, the means for securing comprises one or more features of the means for securing according to the first aspect.

Advantageously, by providing the apparatus as a waist-worn apparatus (and not shoulder-worn), a regular functional range of movement of the user's arm is provided, and physical support and weight is conveyed through the waist of the user, such that the occurrence of joint contractures and/or the common painful problem of shoulder partial-dislocation (subluxation) in stroke survivors is reduced.

Advantageously, in an embodiment where the forearm is supported by a fixed support connected to the waist-band, movement of a hand of the user is independently controllable. Advantageously, such movement provides increased rehabilitation and flexor contracture reduction. Further, such movement is provided by actuators, controllers and/or batteries which are located within and/or on the forearm support and/or the waist band, such that weight is conveyed through the waist-band and not the shoulder or upper arm of the user.

Advantageously, location of control and components such as batteries on a waist-band or forearm support conveys weight through the waist-band, rather than an upper body encumbrance, and has significant benefits for users, reducing load in weakened areas, making the apparatus less conspicuous and easier to put on / remove.

Advantageously, the present invention provides control of upper limb prosthetics, for example robotic arms for people with amputations or poor arm growth from birth.

Advantageously, the present invention -in conjunction with an ear-located switching mechanism -provides hands-free control of upper limb prosthetics. An ear switch provides a non-invasive human-computer interface. It is incorporated as a sensor within, for example, an earphone, and provides hands-free device control by detecting voluntary movement of the ear-drum by a middle-ear muscle.

Advantageously, the invention provides (preferably hands-free), unobtrusive control to improve quality of life, and reduce carer dependency and care costs, enabling rehabilitation at home.

Advantageously, movement of the hand will be invisibly controlled and, advantageously reach, grip and hand to mouth movements are provided by the apparatus, preferably driven from control motors and batteries located in a waistband.

Advantageously, the invention can be controlled by a number of voluntary and identifiable ear-drum movements, which represent specific facial movements, such as a double eye-brow raise. Such detection provides additional voluntarily and detectable ear-drum movements which may provide alternative or additional control movements to move the brace apparatus.

Advantageously, hand / arm movement will be seamlessly controllable (preferably when controlled in association with an ear-located switch) and not rely upon the unaffected hand utilising a switch, or socially undesirable voice control, which would attract unwanted attention. Dual-hand control is made possible by not requiring a user's 'good' hand to operate any form of switch for controlling the orthoses.

The present invention will reduce the obtrusiveness and increase the acceptability of assistance, and enable more natural movements to support rehabilitation and continued use of the apparatus beyond the initial acute rehabilitation phase.

Advantageously, use of cable-driven mechanisms or hydraulics reduce the need for complex and expensive robotics. The hand and/or arm of the user may be moved using other simple (and inexpensive) mechanisms, including ratchet, slide and/or rail systems, robotic and/or mechatronic systems, or combinations thereof.

The invention will now be disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a brace apparatus as located on a user; Figures 2a to 2c are side-view, schematic drawings of a forearm support of the brace apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a plan-view schematic drawing of the brace apparatus of Figure 1.

Figures 1 to 3 show a brace apparatus, generally identified by reference 1.

The brace apparatus 1 includes an adjustable belt 2, forearm support 3, support mechanism 4, control apparatus 5, and a robotic glove 6.

The support mechanism 4 includes a pivoted support frame having a first frame member 7 and second frame member 8. The first frame member 7 is secured at one end 9 to the adjustable belt 2, and the second frame member 8 is mounted to the first frame member 7 towards a mid-region 10 thereof, where the second frame member 8 is capable of pivoting with respect to the first frame member 7. The second frame member 8 includes one or more runners 11 upon which the forearm support 3 is mounted, so as to enable the forearm support 3 to slide, varying its position relative to the first frame member 7. Those skilled in the art will understand that this provides movement anteriorly (forwards of the user) and a corresponding return movement. The support mechanism 4 includes one or more actuators 12, which include associated motors, solenoids, batteries, etc., for actuating the support mechanism 4 to provide movement thereof. By way of an alternative, the runners may be arcuate providing elements of anterior and upright movement at the same time.

The adjustable belt 2 includes one or more fastenings in the form of hook and loop fastenings (not shown) and/or one or more conventional buckles (not shown), enabling the adjustable belt 2 to be comfortably worn by a user 100. It is capable of acting to convey the weight of the brace apparatus 1 through a waist of the user 100. By way of an alternative, or in addition, a ratchet system may be used alone or in combination with the fastenings mentioned above.

The control apparatus 5 includes an ear apparatus 13 and at least one sensor 14, which is located in the ear-canal of the user 100 such that the sensor 14 is capable of detecting resultant movement of the tympanic membrane, malleus, and/or proximal ear-canal wall of the user 100. The control apparatus 5 also includes a processor 15, and associated electronics, which are preferably, but not essentially, located on the adjustable belt 2. The ear apparatus 13 and processor 15 are operatively connected through wireless communications 16, such that the processor 15 is capable of receiving a control signal through the wireless communications 16. The processor 15 is operatively connected to the one or more actuators 12, so that, in response to that control signal, the processor 15 is capable of controlling movement of the one or more actuators 12 and, thereby, the support mechanism 4, to move the forearm support 3. Alternatively, a wired connection may be provided between the ear apparatus 13 and the processor 15, but this is somewhat less preferred.

The robotic glove 6 is optional. As such the brace apparatus 1 may be used with or without the robotic glove 6, without affecting its function. The robotic glove 6, when used, is cable-driven such that movements of fingers (not shown) of a hand of the user 100 may be assisted or simply controlled and moved by one or more cables 17. The cables 17 are connected a first ends 18 to the robotic glove 6, and connected at second ends 19 to further actuators 20, located on the adjustable belt 2. By way of an alternative, control of the robotic glove may be provided by other flexible means, linkages, and/or mechanisms, or through hydraulics. Ideally, no matter how moved, the robotic glove moves one or more digits of the user.

Apparatus associated with control and movement may be located on the glove per se, on the forearm support or support mechanism, or though combinations thereof. By way of a further alternative, control of the robotic glove may be by an antagonistic system, including active or passive control, such as elastic antagonism and/or push-pull systems.

In use of the brace apparatus 1, the apparatus 1 must first be secured to the user 100 who would benefit from either active-assisted or passive movement, following injury, congenital limb difference and/or illness. The adjustable belt 2 is located around a waist region 101 of the user 100, and appropriately tightened or secured. A forearm 102 of the user 100 is placed onto the forearm support 3.

From this condition, which is represented in Figure 2a, both the weight of the brace apparatus 1 and the forearm 102 of the user 100 is conveyed through the adjustable belt 2 to the waist region 101 of the user 100. The brace apparatus 1 is movable to a plurality of further conditions. Figures 2a and 2b demonstrate approximately anterior movement 21 (forwards of the body and a corresponding return movement) in which the forearm support 3 has been slid along the runners 11, to extend the forearm 102. Figure 2b shows the extended condition of the forearm 102, whereas Figure 2a shows the rest condition. Figure 2c demonstrates approximately upright movement 22 of the forearm support 3, such that it will be understood the forearm support 3 can be raised from the rest condition of Figure 2a, and moved to a plurality of upright conditions through movements 22. Although only a limited number of conditions have been exemplified, the skilled person will understand that there are a plurality of potential conditions to which the forearm support 3 may be moved.

Through detecting resultant movement of the tympanic membrane and/or malleus of the user 100 in response to an isolated and controllable ear-drum movement, a control signal is sent wirelessly 16 from the ear apparatus 13 to the processor 15, and the processor 15 controls movement of the forearm support 3 through the actuator 12, which acts upon the support mechanism 4 to move the forearm support 3. The user 100 may raise its forearm 102 through it being directly supported by the forearm support 3, as exemplified in Figure 2c. Further control signals may lower, or raise further, the forearm 102, or, indeed, move the forearm 102 to a number of other conditions. By way of an alternative, a simple switch, such as one located in the other hand of the user, or a controller may be used to provide a control signal for moving the forearm support.

With respect to the robotic glove 6, whose function may be independently controlled, or controlled in conjunction with the forearm support 3, a control signal from the ear apparatus 13 is sent wirelessly from the ear apparatus 13 to the processor 15, and the processor 15 controls movement of the robotic glove 6 through the further actuators 20. The further actuators 20 lengthen or shorten cables 17 to cause a change in a condition of the glove, which results in a change in a condition of a user's hand as located in the glove 6. For instance, movement of the cables 17 can be used to cause the robotic glove 6 to move from an open-hand condition to a closed hand condition. By way of an alternative, a simple switch, such as one located in the other hand of the user, or a controller may be used to provide a control signal for moving the robotic glove.

The combined effect of movement of the forearm support 3 and robotic glove 6 will be understood to provide a plurality of different conditions, at least providing gripping of an object, forward reach and also raising that object to a mouth region of a user.

By way of an alternative, and with reference to Figures 2a and 2b which show anterior movement of the forearm support as isolated from upright movement, the forearm support may be fixed in a preferred upright orientation required by the user, and moveable between one or more anterior conditions only, using the runners. This provides anterior movement (and return movement) for a user with reduced power, potentially aiding rehabilitation, and providing a functional brace in which the weight of the arm / forearm is supported.

By way of a further alternative, a forearm support (not shown) may be fixed or, indeed, the means for supporting at least part of an arm, wrist and/or hand of the user be fixed and, essentially immovable. The robotic glove may be independently controlled to move between at least open-hand and closed-hand configurations.

By way of a further alternative, a mount used to connect the forearm support to the waist-band may provide increased mobility, providing lateral movement allowing abduction / adduction (an approximately sideways motion of the arms) at the shoulder of the user. In addition or alternatively, the forearm support may be configured to provide additional rotation of the forearm (pronation / supination).

By way of a further alternative, the brace apparatus may comprise means for securing and means for supporting, as indicated in the third aspect of the invention. 15 The brace apparatus would, instead of being controlled by said user through means for controlling and actuator means, be responsive to movement of said user, which would have an effect on the means for supporting such that a number of different conditions of the means for supporting may be provided. In a preferred version, musculature of the user would provide movement of the means for supporting. In a further preferred version, the means for supporting includes either slide means or rail means for moving and supporting at least part of an arm, wrist and/or hand of said user. This simplified version provides a non-powered prothesis.

Claims

Claims: 1.) Brace apparatus comprising: means for securing the brace apparatus to a torso of said user; means for supporting at least part of an arm, wrist and/or hand of a user; actuator means, capable of affecting movement of the means for supporting; and means for controlling, operatively connected to the actuator means, to affect movement thereof; wherein the means for controlling is configured to detect a control signal from said user, and is capable of acting upon that control signal to control movement of the actuator means and, thereby, the means for supporting, to move the means for supporting from a first condition to a second condition.
2.) Brace apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for controlling comprises: a switch; a controller; and/or one or more sensors locatable at least partially at or within an ear of said user.
3.) Brace apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the means for controlling is configured to: move the means for supporting from a lowered condition to a raised condition, relative said user, and/or vice versa; move the means for supporting uprightly; move the means for supporting laterally; move the means for supporting anteriorly; move the means for supporting posteriorly; move the means for supporting reciprocally; move the means for supporting to touch and/or grip an object; and/or move the means for supporting so as to raise a hand of said user to its mouth.
4.) Brace apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for securing is configured to support the weight of the apparatus and/or an arm, wrist and/or hand of said user through a torso of said user, reducing any downwards pull on a shoulder of said user.
5.) Brace apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for securing is configured to be mountable to a waist of said user.
6.) Brace apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means for securing is configured to directly support the weight of the means for supporting and the actuator means through said waist of said user.
7.) Brace apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for supporting is configured to support an arm of a user at, at least, an elbow or forearm, enabling movement of said elbow or forearm.
8.) Brace apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for supporting is configured to support a wrist and/or hand of said user, enabling movement of said wrist and/or hand.
9.) Brace apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the means for supporting is a 20 glove or one or more finger supports configured to enable movement of one or more digits of a user's hand.
10.) Brace apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for supporting comprises one or more movable linkages and/or mechanisms which are 25 operatively connected so as to replicate normal movement of an arm, wrist, hand and/or finger of a user.
11.) Brace apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more linkages and/or mechanisms are, at or towards a first end, operatively connected to the 30 means for securing and, at or towards a second end, operatively connected to an arm, wrist, hand and/or finger support.
12.) Brace apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the actuator means is operatively connected to the means for supporting, providing active-assisted or passive movement thereof.
13.) Brace apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the actuator means comprises: one or more motors, linear actuators, solenoids, batteries, rods, pulleys, belts and/or cables; or hydraulics apparatus.
14.) Brace apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the one or more motors, linear actuators, solenoids and/or batteries are directly located on the means for securing.
15.) A method for controlling a brace apparatus comprising: securing the brace apparatus to a torso of a user, which apparatus comprises at least means for supporting at least part of an arm, wrist and/or hand of the user and actuator means for affecting movement of the means for supporting; detecting a control signal from said user, and acting upon that control signal to control movement of the actuator means and, thereby, the means for supporting, to move the means for supporting from a first condition to a second condition.
16.) A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the method further comprising 25 detecting: an electronic control signal; and/or resultant movement of, or other change in a characteristic of, a tympanic membrane, malleus and/or ear-drum margin of the user.
17.) A method as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 further comprising locating one or more sensors at least partially at or within an ear of said user.
18.) A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the method comprising: moving the means for supporting from a lowered condition to a raised condition, relative the user, and/or vice versa; moving the means for supporting uprightly; moving the means for supporting laterally; moving the means for supporting anteriorly; moving the means for supporting posteriorly; moving the means for supporting reciprocally; moving the means for supporting to touch and/or grip an object; and/or moving the means for supporting so as to raise a hand of the user to its mouth.
19.) A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18 further comprising mounting the brace apparatus to a waist of the user.
20.) A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19 further comprising supporting the weight of the apparatus, and/or an arm, wrist and/or hand of the user through a torso of the user, and reducing any downwards pull on a shoulder of the user.
21.) A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 20 further comprising: supporting an arm of the user at, at least, an elbow and/or forearm; and/or. supporting a wrist and/or hand of the user.
22.) A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein, when the means 25 for supporting is a glove or one or more finger supports, providing movement of one or more digits of the user's hand.
23.) A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 22 further comprising controlling movement of the actuator means to provide active-assisted or passive 30 movement thereof.
24.) Brace apparatus comprising: means for securing the brace apparatus to a torso of said user; and movable means for supporting at least part of an arm, wrist and/or hand of a user; wherein the means for supporting is configured to be responsive to an input movement from said user to move the means for supporting from a first condition to a second condition.
25.) Brace apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the means for supporting comprises slide means or rail means for moving and supporting at least part of an arm, wrist and/or hand of said user.