Abstract: A grasp assist system includes a glove having a glove palm and fingers, with the glove worn on a user's hand. A sensor measures flexion of the glove fingers, and thus a change of position and/or attitude of the fingers is determined. Finger saddles at least partially surround a phalange of a respective one of the user's fingers. The system uses one or more tendon actuators to pull on flexible tendons. Each tendon connects to a respective finger saddle. A controller is in communication with the actuators and sensor(s). The glove may use feedback from optional contact sensors to adjust tension, and may have a built-in restorative force. In executing a control method, the controller selectively applies tension to the tendons in response to finger flexion, via the tendon actuators, at a level sufficient for moving the user's fingers when the user executes a hand maneuver.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided to cushion between a prosthetic socket and an amputee's residual limb. A plurality of putty-filled packets are assembled into a liner that, when assembled, provides a generally smooth contact surface toward the residual limb. At least one of the packets has a fluid bladder positioned between the putty material and the socket, and the fluid volume in the bladder can be adjusted to affect the fit of the assembly on the residual limb. Methods of fabrication, fitting, and use of such prosthetic devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and an osseointegrated prosthesis system having an osseointegrated prosthesis member are provided having a monitoring system operably coupled to the osseointegrated prosthesis member configured to quantitatively assess the osseointegration of the osseointegrated prosthesis member, a wave-generating element coupled to the osseointegrated prosthesis member and configured to output guided waves along the osseointegrated prosthesis member interrogating an interface between bone and the osseointegrated prosthesis member, and a sensing system configured to sense a condition of the interface between bone and the prosthesis.

Abstract: A brain machine interface system for use with an electroencephalogram to identify a behavioral intent of a person is disclosed. The system includes an electroencephalogram configured to sense electromagnetic signals generated by a brain of a person. The electromagnetic signals include a time component and a frequency component. A monitor monitors a response of the person to a stimulus and a characteristic of the stimulus. A synchronization module synchronizes the sensed electromagnetic signals with the response and the characteristic to determine a set of electromagnetic signals corresponding to the monitored response and the characteristic. A processor processes the set of electromagnetic signals and extracts feature vectors. The feature vectors define a class of behavioral intent. The processor determines the behavioral intent of the person based on the feature vectors. A brain machine interface and a method for identifying a behavioral intent of a person is also disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthetic socket system having an interchangeable distal end, includes a prosthetic socket defining a substantially rigid base, and a funnel formed from a polymeric material and removably attached to the base of a prosthetic socket. The funnel is arranged to be positioned in the base, and is configured and dimensioned to accommodate a distal end of a residual limb.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot comprising a foot part, a proximal connecting member which is swiveled to the foot part and an adjustment device with which the foot part can be adjusted relative to the connecting member, and at least one position sensor being associated with the adjustment device and being coupled to a signal generating element.

Abstract: A prosthetic limb is made from a portable kit that is of relatively low cost and easy to assemble and custom fit to a person in need so that the person can wear the prosthetic immediately, without having to wait for the prosthetic to be manufactured off-site. The embodiments include a below the knee device and an above the knee device that includes an artificial knee. The improved prosthetic is suited for replacing a missing leg but can also be adapted to replace another body part such as an arm, hand or foot.

Abstract: Various bone anchor assemblies and methods are provided for anchoring tissue to bone. In one embodiment, an anchor assembly for anchoring a tendon to bone is provided and includes a substantially cylindrical sheath having bone-engaging surface features formed on an external surface thereof, and having an inner lumen formed therein and extending from an open proximal end to a substantially closed distal. The substantially closed distal end includes at least one tendon anchoring feature extending distally therefrom and configured to facilitate anchoring of a tendon to bone. The anchor assembly further includes an expander having a generally elongate cylindrical configuration and being sized and shaped to be received within the inner lumen of the sheath.

Abstract: The inventive concept relates to an upper-limb rehabilitation robot that includes a finger exercise device that is mounted on the back of a patient's hand and that exercises a finger of the patient for rehabilitation, a wrist exercise device that is provided on a wrist of the patient and that exercises the wrist of the patient, and an upper-limb exercise device that is spaced apart from the wrist exercise device and that exercises an upper limb of the patient.

Abstract: A variable gain impedance controller for use in a control system for controlling a motorized prosthetic or orthotic apparatus provided with a joint. The controller comprises a sensor input for receiving a signal indicative of an interaction between the apparatus and the ground, a torque sensor input for receiving a signal indicative of the torque at the joint, and a variable gain scheduler in communication with the sensor input to receive data therefrom thereby providing a variable torque gain. The variable gain impedance controller adjusts its control on the apparatus based on the variable torque gain and the indicated torque to increase the joint resistance to motion when the signal received from the sensor input indicates an interaction between the apparatus and the ground, and decrease the joint resistance to motion when the signal received from the sensor input indicates an absence of interaction between the apparatus and the ground.

Abstract: A silicone prosthetic liner for use with a prosthetic assembly that acts as the interface between the residual limb of an amputee and the socket assembly. The prosthetic liner comprises an open proximal end, a closed distal end, and sidewalls comprising an inner layer of molded silicone. The silicone is molded over a mandrel that has been sandblasted using #36 grit at 100 psi so as to form microcraters and reduce the coefficient of static friction.

Abstract: Various aspects of upper arm prosthetic system for a human subject having a body and a partial arm are described. According to one aspect, the system may comprise any one or more of a force amplification apparatus, a terminal unit apparatus, and/or an adjustable elbow apparatus. Each apparatus may be body-powered and/or comprise 3D printable structures. Related upper arm prosthetic apparatus, kits, methods, and systems also are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foot prosthesis (1, 61) comprising a heel (6, 71) and a tip (7, 62), both of which can bear on the ground, and an ankle support (2, 67), characterised in that the prosthesis also comprises at least one damping element (10, 76) designed to be at a distance from the ground.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint can include a first attachment member and a second attachment member coupled to the first attachment member. The second attachment member can include a cylindrical chamber. The prosthetic joint can include a fixation system disposed within the cylindrical chamber comprising at least one cam. The prosthetic joint can have an unlocked configuration, wherein in the unlocked configuration the first attachment member and the second attachment member can rotate relative to each other. The prosthetic joint can have a locked configuration, wherein in the locked configuration the first attachment member is substantially prevented from rotating relative to the second attachment member.

Abstract: In a powered actuator for supplying torque, joint equilibrium, and/or impedance to a joint, a motor is directly coupled to a low-reduction ratio transmission, e.g., a transmission having a gear ratio less than about 80 to 1. The motor has a low dissipation constant, e.g., less than about 50 W/(Nm)2. The transmission is serially connected to an elastic element that is also coupled to the joint, thereby supplying torque, joint equilibrium, and/or impedance to the joint while minimizing the power consumption and/or acoustic noise of the actuator.

Abstract: A handheld tool includes a handle; an implement mount configured to detachably accept and to rigidly hold a user-assistive implement; an actuator assembly mounted to the handle to physically manipulate the implement mount relative to the handle; a first sensor disposed to sense an orientation of the handle; a second sensor disposed to sense an orientation of the user-assistive implement; a controller disposed in or on the handle and coupled to the actuator assembly and the first and second sensors; and memory coupled to the controller. The memory stores instructions for identifying a type of the user-assistive implement attached to the implement mount, selecting a behavior routine based upon the type of the user-assistive implement identified, and manipulating the user-assistive implement relative to the handle according to the behavior routine to aid performance of a task with the handheld tool.

Abstract: A prosthetic socket cooling system and method includes a thermally conductive heat spreader including a curved shaped portion configured to maximize contact with a residual limb of a user. A heat extraction subsystem is coupled through a wall of the prosthetic socket and to the thermally conductive heat spreader and is configured to maintain a desired temperature inside the prosthetic socket.

Abstract: A wrist device for a prosthetic limb is provided. The device (1) comprises a base member (3) connectable to the wearer of the device, and a support member (13) connectable to the limb. The support member (13) is pivotably connected to the base member (3) such that the support member can pivot about a pivot axis (A) relative to the base member. A damping mechanism is located between the base (3) member and the support member (5). The damping mechanism comprises a pinion (47) connected to the support member (5) and rotatable about the pivot axis (A) relative to the base member (3). A rack (35) is engaged with the pinion (47) such that rotational motion of the pinion causes a linear motion of the rack, and at least one biasing member (41) extends between the base member (3) and the rack. The biasing member (41) biases the rack (35) and support member (13) into a neutral position. A prosthetic limb incorporating the wrist device is also provided.

Abstract: A system is provided for supporting an arm of a user that includes a harness configured to be worn by the user, and an arm support coupled to the harness and including an arm rest to support an arm of the user. The arm support is configured to accommodate and follow movement of the arm without substantially interfering in such movement. The arm support may at least partially offset a gravitational force acting on the arm as the user moves and the arm support follows the movement of the user's arm. For example, the arm support may transfer at least a portion of the weight of the user's arm to the torso or other region of the user's body and/or may apply an opposing force to at least partially offset the gravitational force acting on the arm.

Abstract: A continuous socket/suspension monitoring system according to principles of the present invention tracks relative displacement between amputee residuum and their socket using magnetic sensors. The system includes at least one magnetic sensor in a liner worn on the amputees' residuum which correspond to sensors provide in or on the prosthesis socket. The system allows for monitoring of pistoning continuously during locomotion and does not require socket modification, is safe to amputee patients, is easy to use, and is low cost.