Abstract:
At least partial function of a human limb is restored by surgically removing at least a portion of an injured or diseased human limb from a surgical site of an individual and transplanting a selected muscle into the remaining biological body of the individual, followed by contacting the transplanted selected muscle, or an associated nerve, with an electrode, to thereby control a device, such as a prosthetic limb, linked to the electrode. Simulating proprioceptive sensory feedback from a device includes mechanically linking at least one pair of agonist and antagonist muscles, wherein a nerve innervates each muscle, and supporting each pair with a support, whereby contraction of the agonist muscle of each pair will cause extension of the paired antagonist muscle. An electrode is implanted in a muscle of each pair and electrically connected to a motor controller of the device, thereby simulating proprioceptive sensory feedback from the device.
Abstract:
A link (112) extends between a distal member (103) and a proximal member (104) of a wearable device (100), such as an exoskeleton, orthosis or prosthesis for a human lower limb. One or other of the distal member and the proximal member includes a crossing member (130). The link extends from the crossing member of the distal member or the proximal member, to the other of the distal member or the proximal member. Actuation of the link translates to a force at the distal or proximal member that is normal to a major longitudinal axis extending through the distal and proximal members.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a variable-torque magnetorheologically actuated prosthetic knee (110, 210) which utilizes a plurality of interspersed and alternating rotors (120, 220) and stators (130, 230) to shear magnetorheological fluid (130) in gaps formed therebetween. Advantageously, by operating in the "shear mode" there is substantially no or negligible fluid pressure buildup or change. Moreover, the multiple MR fluid gaps or flux interfaces desirably allow for the production of a large torque at low speed without the use of a transmission and also for a wide dynamic torque range to be achieved and add to the versatility of the invention. One embodiment of the invention allows the rotors (120, 220) and/or stators (130, 230) to close the gaps therebetween to create a frictional torque component, thereby forming a "hybrid" braking system which provides a total torque or damping which is a combination of viscous torque and frictional torque.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an automated speed-adaptive and patient-adaptive control scheme and system for a knee prosthesis (110). The control scheme and system utilizes sensory information measured local to the prosthesis (110) to automatically adjust stance and swing phase knee resistances to a particular wearer under a wide variety of locomotory activities. Advantageously, no patient-specific information needs to be pre-programmed into the prosthetic knee (110) by a prosthetist or the patient. The system (110) is able to adapt to various types of disturbances once the patient leaves the prosthetist's facility because it is patient-adaptive and speed-adaptive.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an automated speed-adaptive and patient-adaptive control scheme and system for a knee prosthesis (110). The control scheme and system utilizes sensory information measured local to the prosthesis (110) to automatically adjust stance and swing phase knee resistances to a particular wearer under a wide variety of locomotory activities. Advantageously, no patient-specific information needs to be pre-programmed into the prosthetic knee (110) by a prosthetist or the patient. The system (110) is able to adapt to various types of disturbances once the patient leaves the prosthetist's facility because it is patient-adaptive and speed-adaptive.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an automated speed-adaptive and patient-adaptive control scheme and system for a knee prosthesis (110). The control scheme and system utilizes sensory information measured local to the prosthesis (110) to automatically adjust stance and swing phase knee resistances to a particular wearer under a wide variety of locomotory activities. Advantageously, no patient-specific information needs to be pre-programmed into the prosthetic knee (110) by a prosthetist or the patient. The system (110) is able to adapt to various types of disturbances once the patient leaves the prosthetist's facility because it is patient-adaptive and speed-adaptive.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a variable-torque magnetorheologically actuated prosthetic knee (110, 210) which utilizes a plurality of interspersed and alternating rotors (120, 220) and stators (130, 230) to shear magnetorheological fluid (130) in gaps formed therebetween. Advantageously, by operating in the "shear mode" there is substantially no or negligible fluid pressure buildup or change. Moreover , the multiple MR fluid gaps or flux interfaces desirably allow for the production of a large torque at low speed without the use of a transmission and also for a wide dynamic torque range to be achieved and add to the versatility of the invention. One embodiment of the invention allows the rotors (120, 220) and/or stators (130, 230) to close th e gaps therebetween to create a frictional torque component, thereby forming a "hybrid" braking system which provides a total torque or damping which is a combination of viscous torque and frictional torque.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a variable-torque magnetorheologically actuated prosthetic knee which utilizes a plurality of interspersed and alternating rotors and stators to shear magnetorheological fluid in gaps formed therebetween. Advantageously, by operating in the “shear mode” there is substantially no or negligible fluid pressure buildup or change. Moreover, the multiple MR fluid gaps or flux interfaces desirably allow for the production of a large torque at low speed—eliminating the need for a transmission—and also for a wide dynamic torque range. One embodiment of the invention allows the rotors and/or stators to close the gaps therebetween to create a frictional torque component, thereby forming a “hybrid” braking system which provides a total torque or damping which is a combination of viscous torque and frictional torque.