Abstract: A jaw closure transmission system is presented that includes an input sub-system, output sub-system and a transmission sub-system. These transmission sub-systems may utilize the transmission member as an energy storing device over a certain portion of an input stroke, to achieve a specific desired performance of the surgical tool. These apparatuses and methods may be particularly useful with hand-held, minimally invasive surgical tools having jaws.

Abstract: Surgical tools and assemblies are employed for use in minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures. A surgical tool assembly includes a handle assembly and a frame assembly. The handle assembly and frame assembly are designed and constructed to have an articulation input joint and a grounding joint between them. A pitch rotational degree of freedom and a yaw rotational degree of freedom are provided by way of the articulation input joint. The handle assembly is translationally constrained relative to the frame assembly by way of the grounding joint. Intermediate bodies and joints can be provided in certain surgical tool assemblies and architectures.

Abstract: A jaw closure transmission system is presented comprising an input sub-system, output sub-system and a transmission sub-system.

Abstract: Surgical tools and assemblies are employed for use in minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures. A handheld surgical tool assembly includes a handle assembly and a frame assembly, among other possible components. Intermediate bodies and joints are provided in certain handheld surgical tool assemblies and architectures. A yaw rotational degree of freedom is furnished between certain intermediate bodies, and a pitch rotational degree of freedom is furnished between certain intermediate bodies. Amid use, a mechanical advantage generated about the yaw rotational degree of freedom is unequal to a mechanical advantage generated about the pitch rotational degree of freedom.

Abstract: Many embodiments of a surgical tool are set forth herein that can be employed for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures and in remote access surgical procedures. The surgical tool has multiple bodies with one or more detachable structural interfaces that can be established between one or more pairs of the bodies. Certain locks, interlocks, and/or joints can be present in the surgical tool and among the bodies in various embodiments in order to provide certain functionalities during use.

Abstract: Surgical tools and assemblies are employed for use in minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures. A surgical tool assembly includes a handle assembly and a frame assembly. The handle assembly and frame assembly are designed and constructed to have an articulation input joint and a grounding joint between them. A pitch rotational degree of freedom and a yaw rotational degree of freedom are provided by way of the articulation input joint. The handle assembly is translationally constrained relative to the frame assembly by way of the grounding joint. Intermediate bodies and joints can be provided in certain surgical tool assemblies and architectures.

Abstract: A locking device for an exercise system may include a locking member having a contact portion and configured to move between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the contact portion of the locking member is not in mechanical communication with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. When in the second position, the contact portion of the locking member is in mechanical communication with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly.

Abstract: A jaw closure transmission system is presented comprising an input sub-system, output sub-system and a transmission sub-system.

Abstract: A locking device for an exercise system may include a locking member having a contact portion and configured to move between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the contact portion of the locking member is not in mechanical communication with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. When in the second position, the contact portion of the locking member is in mechanical communication with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly.

Abstract: A physical exercise device providing a stepper like motion for a user may include a pair of foot pedals and a pair of arms for engagement by the user while seated on the seat of the physical exercise device. The pair of foot pedals and the pair of arms may be connected to a drive train which provides contralateral motion between the pair of arms and the pair of foot pedals. A pedal and arm lock mechanism may also be provided which prevents the pedals and arms to be moved in a lock state, while allowing movement of the pedals and the arms when in the unlock state. The physical exercise device may also include computational and data acquisition units for receiving a position signal and pedal force signals and recording the signals.

Abstract: A locking device for an exercise system may include a locking member having a contact portion and configured to move between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the contact portion of the locking member is not in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. When in the second position, the contact portion of the locking member is in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. The device may also include an electrical actuating device having an actuator for selectively engaging the locking device and moving the locking device between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A locking device for an exercise system may include a locking member having a contact portion and configured to move between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the contact portion of the locking member is not in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. When in the second position, the contact portion of the locking member is in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. The device may also include an electrical actuating device having an actuator for selectively engaging the locking device and moving the locking device between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A locking device for an exercise system may include at least one moveable assembly that is in communication with a resistance mechanism. The locking device has an actuating device for selectively engaging the locking device, a locking member having a contact portion, wherein the contact portion of the locking member is not in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system when the actuating device is in a first position, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly, and wherein the contact portion of the locking member is in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system when the actuating device is in a second position, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly.

Abstract: A physical exercise device providing a stepper like motion for a user may include a pair of foot pedals and a pair of arms for engagement by the user while seated on the seat of the physical exercise device. The pair of foot pedals and the pair of arms may be connected to a drive train which provides contralateral motion between the pair of arms and the pair of foot pedals. A pedal and arm lock mechanism may also be provided which prevents the pedals and arms to be moved in a lock state, while allowing movement of the pedals and the arms when in the unlock state. The physical exercise device may also include computational and data acquisition units for receiving a position signal and pedal force signals and recording the signals.

Abstract: A recumbent stepper system has a tubular frame, a left leg assembly, a right leg assembly and a resistance mechanism. The leg assemblies are supported by the frame for pivoting movement about a central pivot axis. The leg assemblies each include an upwardly extending pedal arm terminating in a pedal. A left belt is coupled to the pedal arm of the left leg assembly and engages a left one way clutch and a left pulley. A right belt is coupled to the pedal arm of the right leg assembly and engages a right one way clutch and a right pulley. The resistance mechanism directly engages the left and right one way clutches via a resistance mechanism belt.

Abstract: A locking device for an exercise system may include at least one moveable assembly that is in communication with a resistance mechanism. The locking device has an actuating device for selectively engaging the locking device, a locking member having a contact portion, wherein the contact portion of the locking member is not in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system when the actuating device is in a first position, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly, and wherein the contact portion of the locking member is in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system when the actuating device is in a second position, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly.

Abstract: A recumbent stepper system has a tubular frame, a left leg assembly, a right leg assembly and a resistance mechanism. The leg assemblies are supported by the frame for pivoting movement about a central pivot axis. The leg assemblies each include an upwardly extending pedal arm terminating in a pedal. A left belt is coupled to the pedal arm of the left leg assembly and engages a left one way clutch and a left pulley. A right belt is coupled to the pedal arm of the right leg assembly and engages a right one way clutch and a right pulley. The resistance mechanism directly engages the left and right one way clutches via a resistance mechanism belt.