Having Electrical Actuator Patents (Class 623/24)
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Patent number: 11946533Abstract: The present invention relates to a twisted string actuator. The present invention may comprise: a drive source; driving parts for receiving power from the driving source; driven parts installed in conjunction with the driving parts and receiving power; strings coupled to the ends of the driving parts and the driven parts so as to be twisted or untwisted, and a driving compensation part installed at the ends of the strings to compensate for uneven actuation of each of the strings.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: CHUNGANG UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATIONInventors: Dong Jun Shin, Seung Ryeol Lee
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Patent number: 11941177Abstract: An information processing device is provided which includes a first acquisition unit (214) configured to acquire a control command, inputted by a first user, including positional information for designating a presentation position at which to present a tactile stimulus by a tactile presentation device and mode information for designating a mode of the tactile stimulus, a generation unit (218) configured to generate a tactile control signal for presenting the tactile stimulus to the presentation position in response to the control command, and a first distribution unit (222) configured to distribute the tactile control signal to the tactile presentation device worn on a body of a second user, in which the first distribution unit distributes, according to a predetermined rule, the tactile control signal related to the control command inputted by each of a plurality of the first users to the tactile presentation device.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATIONInventors: Ryo Yokoyama, Takeshi Ogita, Osamu Ito, Yohei Fukuma, Ayumi Nakagawa
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Patent number: 11938044Abstract: A series elastic robotic limb may include an energy generator, an energy storage element, and a link assembly. The link assembly may include a plurality of links coupled, via one or more joints, at one or more pivot locations. The energy generator may output a first force that causes an accumulation of energy in the energy storage element while the link assembly is in a first configuration and transitions the link assembly from the first configuration to a second configuration. The energy storage element may release the energy accumulated in the energy storage element when the link assembly is in the second configuration. The link assembly in the second configuration may trigger a motion of the series elastic robotic limb by at least amplifying the first force output by the energy generator and a second force associated with the energy released from the energy storage element.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Mark Plecnik, Ronald Fearing, Duncan Haldane, Justin Yim
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Patent number: 11933683Abstract: A strain gauge includes a resistor formed of a doped silicon material, a conductive shield, and an isolation element disposed between the resistor and the conductive shield. The isolation element electrically isolates the resistor from the conductive shield.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignees: TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH, TYCO ELECTRONICS AMP KOREA CO., LTD.Inventors: David Eric Wagner, James Hoffman, Kim Young-Deok
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Patent number: 11931273Abstract: A method for controlling an artificial orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, on which a lower-leg component is arranged and with which a resistance device is associated, the bending resistance (R) of which resistance device is changed in dependence on sensor data that are determined by at least one sensor during the use of the orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, wherein a linear acceleration (aF) of the lower-leg component is determined, the determined linear acceleration (aF) is compared with at least one threshold value, and, if a threshold value of the linear acceleration (aF) of the lower-leg component is reached, the bending resistance (R) is changed.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBHInventors: Roland Auberger, Martin Seyr, Clemens Mandl, Dirk Seifert, Hans Dietl
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Patent number: 11903712Abstract: Proposed are concepts of identifying physiological stress of a user of a virtual reality environment by displaying to the user a virtual object at an object location within the virtual reality environment and instructing the user to interact with the displayed virtual object. A measure of physiological stress may then be determined based on a detected parameter of the user's movement in response to the instruction, and the measure of physiological stress may be associated with a part of the user's body based on the object location.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2018Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daniel T. Cunnington, Elizabeth Bowen, Gwilym B. L. Newton, Elizabeth J. Maple, Graham White
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Patent number: 11897122Abstract: Disclosed is a robot hand comprising a base, a first bracket provided on an upper portion of the base, a second bracket provided on an upper portion of the base and configured such that the other side of the second bracket is rotatable in a horizontal direction about one side of the second bracket, a plurality of finger modules coupled to upper portions of the first and second brackets, respectively, and configured to tilt in order to grip an object, finger drive units installed on the first and second brackets and configured to transmit driving power to the finger modules and a rotation drive unit installed at one side of the second bracket and configured to transmit driving power so that the other side of the second bracket is rotatable in the horizontal direction about one side of the second bracket.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignees: NAVER LABS CORPORATION, KOREA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATIONInventors: Yong Jae Kim, Jong In Kim, Jun Suk Yoon
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Patent number: 11883304Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device and method of control for an artificial prosthetic knee. A prosthetic knee according to the present disclosure relies on strictly passive means of providing support during weight bearing and supplements a resistive swing-phase mechanism with a small powered actuator. This actuator adds power to the knee, exclusively during swing phase, to improve swing-phase behavior. In particular, the knee still relies on the resistive swing-phase mechanism to provide nominal swing-phase knee motion, but supplements that motion as needed with the small powered actuator.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Vanderbilt UniversityInventors: Michael Goldfarb, Almaskhan Baimyshev, Harrison Bartlett, Jantzen Lee
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Patent number: 11883305Abstract: An ankle-foot prosthesis comprises a foot structure having a foot keel leaf spring, a heel leaf spring, and an upper J leaf spring above the keel leaf spring. An ankle bearing block is mounted to the keel leaf spring and a shank shell is mounted to the ankle bearing block. A shank interface mounts to the shank shell. A processor controlled active element extends along an axis between the shank shell and the upper leaf-spring.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Hugh M. Herr, Matthew Lawrence Handford, Christopher Charles Williams, Matthew Eli Carney, Daniel Visan Levine
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Patent number: 11843307Abstract: A motor includes a stator, a rotor, and a bearing. The stator includes a shaft that extends in a vertical direction. The rotor is rotatable around the shaft. The bearing supports the rotor in a rotatable manner. The rotor includes a magnet, a case, and a tooth groove. The magnet is radially outward of the stator and opposes the stator in a radial direction. The case covers a radially outer end of the magnet. The tooth groove is provided in a radially outer surface of the case.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2021Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATIONInventors: Hideki Nishimura, Tomohiro Hasegawa, Hiroaki Hirano, Yoichi Sekii
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Patent number: 11826275Abstract: A powered orthotic device for use with a limb having at least two joints includes at least two brace sub-assemblies. The first brace sub-assembly includes a first powered actuator assembly that receives a first sensor signal from a sensor selected from a group consisting of an electromyographic sensor, an inertial measurement unit, and combinations thereof. The first powered actuator assembly applies a first force for driving sections positioned with respect to a first joint to move relative to one another. The second brace sub-assembly includes a second powered actuator assembly that is configured to receive a second sensor signal from a sensor selected from a group consisting of an electromyographic sensor, an inertial measurement unit, and combinations thereof. The second powered actuator assembly applies a second force for driving sections positioned with respect to a second joint to move relative to one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Myomo, Inc.Inventors: Stephen R. Kelly, Gene Tacy, Samuel Kesner, Andrew Harlan
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Patent number: 11830499Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for training a dialog system using user feedback. According to one implementation, a method includes receiving, by a dialog engine and from a computing device, a voice input; determining, by the dialog engine, that the received voice input is classified as feedback to an answer of a question; identifying, by the dialog engine, a predetermined feedback score associated with the feedback; and adjusting a confidence score associated with the question and the answer based on the predetermined feedback score.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Gabriel Taubman, Andrew W. Hogue, John J. Lee
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Patent number: 11804753Abstract: A motor includes a stator, a rotor, and a bearing. The stator includes a shaft that extends in a vertical direction. The rotor is rotatable around the shaft. The bearing supports the rotor in a rotatable manner. The rotor includes a magnet, a case, and a tooth groove. The magnet is radially outward of the stator and opposes the stator in a radial direction. The case covers a radially outer end of the magnet. The tooth groove is provided in a radially outer surface of the case.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATIONInventors: Hideki Nishimura, Tomohiro Hasegawa, Hiroaki Hirano, Yoichi Sekii
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Patent number: 11786384Abstract: An assistance device is described to assist a joint motion of a lower limb. The assistance device includes a driving part, an elastic part, and a crank mechanism. The driving part includes a motor and a transmission mechanism to change a speed of the motor and converts a rotational motion of the motor into a linear motion. The elastic part includes at least: a series spring provided in series between the transmission mechanism and the crank mechanism, a first parallel spring provided between the driving part and the ankle part, and a second parallel spring provided between the ankle part and the foot part. The crank mechanism is provided between the driving part and the foot part and converts the linear motion to a rotational motion while changing a deceleration coefficient according to an ankle angle.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2019Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: BIONICM INC.Inventor: Xiaojun Sun
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Patent number: 11779473Abstract: Technology is described to provide a powered prosthetic wrist flexion device or elbow device. This device helps individuals with upper-limb loss to orient and position grasped objects.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Motion Control, Inc.Inventors: Edwin K. Iversen, Jeffrey Christensen, Gregory James Jacobs
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Patent number: 11780515Abstract: An example implementation involves receiving measurements from an inertial sensor coupled to the robot and detecting an occurrence of a foot of the legged robot making contact with a surface. The implementation also involves reducing a gain value of an amplifier from a nominal value to a reduced value upon detecting the occurrence. The amplifier receives the measurements from the inertial sensor and provides a modulated output based on the gain value. The implementation further involves increasing the gain value from the reduced value to the nominal value over a predetermined duration of time after detecting the occurrence. The gain value is increased according to a profile indicative of a manner in which to increase the gain value of the predetermined duration of time. The implementation also involves controlling at least one actuator of the legged robot based on the modulated output during the predetermined duration of time.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Blankespoor, Marco da Silva
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Patent number: 11707399Abstract: A motion assistance apparatus includes a proximal frame configured to support a proximal part of a user, a connecting frame rotatably connected to the proximal frame, a distal frame rotatably connected to the connecting frame and configured to support a distal part of the user, and a power transmitter including a slider configured to slide along the proximal frame, a pusher rotatably connected to the distal frame and the slider, and a coupler configured to connect the slider and the pusher and positioned closer to the proximal part of the user than a rotation axis of the connecting frame in the whole range of motion.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2019Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Byungjune Choi, Minhyung Lee, Youn Baek Lee, Se-Gon Roh
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Patent number: 11707366Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a powered prosthesis. In one embodiment, the powered prosthesis may include a first joint actuator; a second joint actuator; a connector to connect the first joint actuator with the second joint actuator; and a power source connected with both the first and second joint actuator; wherein the first joint actuator and the second joint actuator are both at least backdrivable and configured such that when one of the first or second joint actuator is drawing power from the power source, the other of the first or second joint actuator may be generating power for the power source. In some embodiments, the first motor is at least a high output torque motor. In other embodiments, the second motor is at least a high output torque motor.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Robert D. Gregg, Toby B. Elery, Christopher R. Nesler, Siavash Rezazadeh
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Patent number: 11684494Abstract: An orthopedic knee joint having an upper part with upper connecting features, a lower part which is mounted pivotably on the upper part and has connecting features for prosthetic components, and a stop for limiting an extension movement. The stop is coupled to an adjusting device, which is coupled to a control device that actuates the adjusting device as a function of sensor data and changes the position of the stop. If the knee joint is provided with an adjustable extension stop position, the extension stop can be shifted forward for walking which results in a greater inclination at heel strike in order to flex the knee joint and, therefore, increased damping upon initiation of the stance phase. For standing, the adjusting device can be activated so that the extension stop is reversed, such that a statically more secure orthosis or prosthesis set-up can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: OTTOBOCK SE & CO. KGAAInventors: Martin Pusch, Philipp Kampas
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Patent number: 11654035Abstract: A gait disorder support apparatus and gait disorder support method capable of detecting an onset sign of a gait disorder associated with motor symptoms in advance and performing motion assist are proposed. The onset sign of the gait disorder associated with the motor symptoms of a wearer is detected based on the correlation between a gait cycle and a reduction ratio of the gait cycle as compared to immediately preceding gait; and when the onset sign of the gait disorder is detected, a drive unit is controlled so that the drive unit applies assist power to a knee joint of the wearer; and on the other hand, when the onset sign of the gait disorder is not detected, the drive unit is controlled so that driving torque by the drive unit does not hinder the wearer's gait motion.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2017Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignees: CYBERDYNE Inc., University of TsukubaInventor: Yoshiyuki Sankai
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Patent number: 11638673Abstract: The disclosure belongs to the technical field of lower limb exoskeleton, and specifically discloses a hip-knee passive exoskeleton device based on clutch time-sharing control, comprising a waist support subassembly, connection subassemblies, thigh subassemblies, clutch subassemblies, shank subassemblies and elastic member subassemblies, the waist support subassembly is configured to be connected to the waist, the connection subassemblies are configured to include two connection subassemblies which are arranged in bilateral symmetry on two sides of the support subassembly, the thigh subassemblies are configured to include two thigh subassemblies which are respectively connected to the two connection subassemblies, the clutch subassemblies are configured to include two clutch subassemblies which are respectively mounted on the two thigh subassemblies, the shank subassemblies are configured to include two shank subassemblies which are arranged in bilateral symmetry below the two thigh subassemblies, the elasticType: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyInventors: Wenbin Chen, Tongtong Wei, Tiancheng Zhou, Shuang Wu, Caihua Xiong
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Patent number: 11628073Abstract: The walking canister system and method are for manufacturing a prosthetic socket. The system includes a rigid canister, a suspension bladder positioned within the rigid canister, and an outer chamber wicking material arranged in an outer chamber defined between the suspension bladder and the rigid canister. A foam insert includes a contoured exterior surface configured to transfer pressure through to an interior surface thereof to produce consistent surface contact with a residual limb, of a walking patient, having casting material thereon. An inner chamber wicking material is arranged in an inner chamber defined between the foam insert and the suspension bladder. An outer chamber vacuum port is in fluid communication with the outer chamber, and an inner chamber vacuum port is in fluid communication with the inner chamber. An outer chamber suspension sleeve is configured to extend from the residual limb and over the rigid canister.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Inventor: Marvin R. Fourroux
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Patent number: 11628557Abstract: A force applying auxiliary device and a control method thereof are provided. The force applying auxiliary device includes a sensor group, a processor, and a force applying driver. The sensor group includes a first sensor disposed on a first side and a second sensor disposed on a second side. The processor collects motion posture data of a user according to the first sensor and the second sensor, and determines whether a motion of the user is abnormal. When determining that the motion of the user is abnormal, the processor selects at least one preset abnormal pattern as a specific abnormal pattern according to the motion posture data, and controls the force applying driver to provide a force by using the specific abnormal pattern. A force difference between first and second forces applied to first and second side feet is adjusted based on a difference in sampling values between the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Wistron CorporationInventors: Min-Yen Li, Tsung-Yin Tsou, Hsiang-Min Chan, Ke-Yu Lan
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Patent number: 11617700Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: NEOFECT Co., Ltd.Inventors: Min Jae Park, Hyeon Jae Ju, Young Geun Choi
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Patent number: 11617665Abstract: A hybrid artificial limb device is provided. A hybrid artificial limb device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: a joint upper side connection member positioned at the upper side of a knee; a knee joint member connected to the joint upper side connection member; and a frame coupled to the knee joint member to be able to perform a pivot rotation, and forming a femoral part. When the frame performs a pivot rotation about the knee joint member, the passive power from the passive driving module and the active power from the active driving module may be selectively or simultaneously provided to the knee joint member.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2019Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: KOREA LABOR WELFARE CORPORATION CO., LTD.Inventors: Hyunjun Shin, Shinki Kim, Mankee Jeon, Hyeonseok Cho, Jong Kwon Kim, Jinkuk Park, Sehoon Park, Jongmoon Choi, Huitae Lee, Jeichung Ryu
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Patent number: 11534925Abstract: Techniques for a conformal gripping end effector such as a gripping finger are provided. In an example, a conformal finger mechanism can include a proximal link, a connecting link, a distal link, a finger link coupling and a spring. The proximal link can be coupled via a proximal link pivot to an actuator housing and the connecting link can be coupled to an actuator rod of the actuator and the distal link. The distal link can be coupled to the connecting link and the proximal link. The spring can be coupled to an offset portion of a proximal end of the proximal link.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: RE2, Inc.Inventor: Mario Campagna
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Patent number: 11529246Abstract: A prosthetic ankle and foot combination has an ankle joint mechanism constructed to allow damped rotational movement of a foot component relative to a shin component. The mechanism provides a continuous hydraulically damped range of ankle motion during walking with dynamically variable damping resistances, and with independent variation of damping resistances in the plantar-flexion and dorsi-flexion directions. An electronic control system coupled to the ankle joint mechanism includes at least one sensor for generating signals indicative of a kinetic or kinematic parameter of locomotion, the mechanism and the control system being arranged such that the damping resistances effective over the range of motion of the ankle are adapted automatically in response to such signals. Single and dual piston hydraulic damping arrangements are disclosed, including arrangements allowing independent heel-height adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Blatchford Products LimitedInventors: David Moser, Andrew John Sykes, Graham Harris, Stephen Terry Lang, Fadi Abimosleh, Mir Saeed Zahedi
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Patent number: 11504292Abstract: The gait motion assisting device according to the present invention replicates movement of user's leg including thigh and lower leg around hip joint by pendulum movement of a rod-like rigid body, estimates hip joint angle and hip joint angular velocity of thigh calculated based on equation of motion of the pendulum movement by a state estimator using angle-related signal received from a thigh orientation detecting means as the observation, calculates the thigh phase angle using the estimated hip joint angle and the estimated hip joint angular velocity, and outputs assisting force having torque value calculated based on the thigh phase angle.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2018Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Suncall CorporationInventors: Rei Takahashi, Yukinobu Makihara, Yuichi Sawada, Yoshiyuki Higashi, Tadao Tsuboyama, Noriaki Ichihashi, Koji Ohata
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Patent number: 11498203Abstract: A wearable system includes an exosuit or exoskeleton; an actuator(s) configured to generate force in the exosuit or exoskeleton; a sensor(s) configured to measure information for evaluating an objective function associated with providing physical assistance to the wearer, an interaction between the wearer and the exosuit or exoskeleton, and/or an operation of the exosuit or exoskeleton; and a controller(s) configured to: actuate the actuator(s) according to an actuation profile(s), evaluate the objective function based on the information measured by the at least one sensor to determine a resulting change in the objective function, adjust a parameter(s) of the actuation profile(s) based on the resulting change in the objective function, and continue to actuate, evaluate, and adjust to optimize the actuation parameter(s) for maximizing or minimizing the objective function.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2017Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Ye Ding, Ignacio Galiana Bujanda, Jinsoo Kim, Myunghee Kim, Scott Kuindersma, Sangjun Lee, Kathleen E. O'Donnell, Christopher J. Siviy, Conor J. Walsh
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Patent number: 11497641Abstract: The present disclosure is relates to an orthosis device. The orthosis device, in one embodiment, includes an actuator housing, and an electric motor coupled to the actuator housing, the electric motor including a motor stator and a motor rotor, and the electric motor further having high output torque. The orthosis device, in this embodiment, further includes a low-ratio transmission coupled to the actuator housing, the transmission including a gear system coupled to the actuator housing, and a drive system coupling the electric motor and the gear system, wherein a combination of the electric motor and transmission provide a user backdrivable orthosis device.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2018Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Robert D. Gregg, Hanqi Zhu
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Patent number: 11497630Abstract: A system can be used to record real-time pressure and/or shear force data within a socket for a prosthetic device. The system includes a socket for a prosthetic device that can be designed to fit a patient's residual limb. The system also includes a sensor array that can be placed within the socket for the prosthetic device to detect pressure and/or shear force on the patient's residual limb. The sensor array includes a piezo-electric material and a uniform distribution of a plurality of metal pads on either side of the piezo-electric material. Each of the plurality of metal pads on either side of the piezo-electric material comprises at least one wire connected to a common port.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITYInventors: Ming-Chun Huang, Hongping Zhao
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Patent number: 11491646Abstract: A layered actuation structure includes one or more actuation platforms interleaved with one or more mounting platforms to form one or more actuation cavities between platform pairs, each platform pair having an individual mounting platform and an individual actuation platform. The layered actuation structure also includes a support arm coupled to the one or more mounting platforms, an actuation arm coupled to the one or more actuation platforms, and one or more artificial muscles disposed in each of the one or more actuation cavities. The one or more artificial muscles each include an electrode pair that is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state to direct a dielectric fluid into an expandable fluid region of a housing of the artificial muscle, expanding the expandable fluid region thereby applying pressure to the one or more actuation platforms, generating translational motion of the one or more actuation platforms.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Michael P. Rowe
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Patent number: 11485013Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a map creation method of a mobile robot, the mobile robot working indoors, comprising the following steps: S1: obtaining Euler angles of a current point relative to a reference point according to a ceiling image taken from the current point and the reference point; S2: determining whether the roll angle of the Euler angles is lower than a set value, if so, saving the map data of the current point, otherwise, not saving the map data of the current point; S3: returning to step S1 after the mobile robot moves a predetermined distance or for a predetermined time; S4: repeating steps S1 through S3 until the map creation in the working area is complete. The present disclosure also discloses a mobile robot using the above method.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: GUANGZHOU COAYU ROBOT CO., LTD.Inventors: Feifan Qian, Kai Yang, Zhuobin Zheng, Huang Ding
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Patent number: 11446199Abstract: A hand orthosis for bending and/or stretching at least one finger of a patient's hand, comprising a force-introducing device fastened to a splint, which is coupled with at least one finger segment paired with the finger of the patient's hand, wherein the at least one finger segment comprises a plurality of modular members interconnected in an articulated manner. The modular members each have at least one bayonet link on a first front side and at least one bayonet hook, corresponding to the bayonet link, on a second front side for the formation of a bayonet connection between adjacent modular members providing a bayonet joint. In addition, the invention relates to a modular member for using in a hand orthosis and a method of producing a hand orthosis.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: HKK BIONICS GMBHInventors: Dominik Hepp, Tobias Knobloch
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Patent number: 11440175Abstract: A method may include receiving data from one or more sensing elements associated with a power tool. The method may also include measuring the detected data. The method may further include computing one or more data parameters based on the measuring. The method may include determining whether to permit operation of the power tool based on the data parameters. The method may further include permitting operation of the power tool when the data parameters satisfy an operation condition. The method may also include altering operation of the power tool when the data parameters does not satisfy the operation condition by performing at least one of: generating an alarm, or preventing operation of the power tool.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2018Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: INTERLINK ELECTRONICS, INC.Inventors: Chee Wai Lu, Wai Jye Chan, Kok Keong Law, Cheng Seong Lee
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Patent number: 11433552Abstract: The present invention is in the sector of wearable robotic devices, and in particular it concerns a method for the adaptive control of a wearable robot. In particular, the invention discloses a method for the adaptive control of the discrete or open-ended movements of a wearable robot such as a prosthesis or an orthesis.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2018Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSITARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO SANT'ANNAInventors: Nicola Vitiello, Francesco Lanotte, Simona Crea
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Patent number: 11421664Abstract: An artificial muscle drive unit includes a base and an artificial muscle disposed on the base. The artificial muscle includes an expandable reservoir and a fluid. The fluid is movable within said expandable reservoir to switch the artificial muscle between a non-actuated state in which a dimension of the artificial muscle in a movement direction is a minimum value, and an actuated state, in which the dimension of the artificial muscle is a maximum value. The artificial muscle drive unit also includes a load-bearing support disposed on the base, the load-bearing support comprising a dimension in the movement direction that is greater than or equal to the minimum value.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul S. Panwar, Maduran Palaniswamy
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Patent number: 11412945Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a muscle activity measurement device and a muscle activity measurement method which make it possible to measure the muscle activity of an object to be sensed with increased accuracy. The muscle activity measurement device is provided with a magnetic sensor unit which senses a magnetic field generated from a living body. The muscle activity measurement device identifies an installed direction of the muscle activity measurement device, and includes an indication, on a surface of a container, which comprises identification information for installing the muscle activity measurement device in such a way that a magnetism sensing direction X of the magnetic sensor unit and the direction in which the muscle fibers of the living body as the object to be sensed extend are substantially orthogonal to each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2017Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignees: National University Corporation Tokyo Medical and Dental University, TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Shigenori Kawabata, Shuichi Okawa, Shuta Ushio
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Patent number: 11383381Abstract: A method of footstep contact detection includes receiving joint dynamics for a swing leg of the robot where the swing leg performs a swing phase of a gait of the robot. The method also includes receiving odometry defining an estimation of a pose of the robot and determining whether an unexpected torque on the swing leg corresponds to an impact on the swing leg. When the unexpected torque corresponds to the impact, the method further includes determining whether the impact is indicative of a touchdown of the swing leg on a ground surface based on the odometry and the joint dynamics. When the impact is not indicative of the touchdown of the swing leg, the method includes classifying a cause of the impact based on the odometry of the robot and the joint dynamics of the swing leg.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Eric Whitman, Alex Khripin
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Patent number: 11376137Abstract: A prosthetic elbow includes a fixed member structure and a powered gearbox mechanism housed in a housing structure for rotating the forearm portion to varying angular positions. The powered gearbox mechanism includes a motor attached to the housing structure, a planetary frictional drive connected to a motor shaft of the motor and the housing structure, and a strain wave gear set having an input driven by the planetary fictional drive and an output attached to the fixed member structure, where the powered gearbox mechanism is configured to convert an output of the motor into a rotation of the housing structure relative to the fixed member structure, thereby causing the rotation of the forearm portion to varying angular positions relative to the upper arm. The fixed member structure and the housing structure each are connected to one of a forearm portion and an upper arm portion and rotatable relative to one another about an axis of rotation of the forearm portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Hugh Steeper LimitedInventors: Ryan Wahl, Aaron Taszreak
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Patent number: 11345879Abstract: A functionally graded material is formed by pipetting individual micro-or-nano-litter droplets with a variety of materials including multi-nanostructured material (nanowires, carbon nanotubes, enzymes, multi-element and/or multi-color, multi-biomolecules) and UV polymerization of the flat hydrogel meniscus surface formed at the carrier fluid interface. After step-by-step droplet pipetting and subsequent layer-by-layer UV polymerization via a digital mask, the complete fabricated part without supporting layers is taken out of the carrier fluid while the un-cured micro-litter residue is conveniently suctioned out of the carrier fluid.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Xiaoyu Zheng, Joshua R. Deotte
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Patent number: 11304829Abstract: An electromagnetic locking element for locking a joint orthosis or joint prosthesis such as a knee orthosis or knee prosthesis. The electromagnetic locking element includes a bistable solenoid with at least one coil and at least one permanent magnet, a pin, which can be retracted and extended with the aid of the solenoid for locking the joint, one or several electrical energy stores such as capacitors, and an electrical control system, which, with the aid of semiconductor switches, discharges the energy store or stores via the at least one coil of the solenoid in such a way that the pin is extended.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: OTTOBOCK SE & CO KGAAInventors: Arno Mecklenburg, Erik Albrecht-Laatsch, Michael Nolte, André Müller
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Patent number: 11285024Abstract: A prosthetic foot comprises an attachment member and two or more flexible members. The attachment member can include a connector configured to connect the attachment member to a user or another prosthetic device. The two or more flexible members can be rotatably attached to the attachment member by rotatable joints such that the flexible members can both rotate and flex relative to the attachment member when the prosthetic foot contacts the ground.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Össur Iceland ehfInventors: Arinbjorn Viggo Clausen, Bjarni Andresson, Vilhjalmur Freyr Jonsson, Christophe Lecomte
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Patent number: 11285031Abstract: An elbow brace is retrofitted to provide a motor-hinged orthotic elbow brace that stabilizes the elbow of a user and provides assisted motion to prevent or reduce buildup of scar tissue and maintain the range of motion of the elbow. A user interface is coupled to the brace for tracking exercises and the angle of the elbow brace. The orthotic elbow brace can also assist the patient in moving the arm at one or more predetermined angles according to physician instructions.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONAInventors: L. Daniel Latt, Michael Cameron Sveiven, Blakeley Louise Koziol, Carissa Liana Grijalva, Justin Hsieh, Adriana Barreda, Timothy Shimon
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Patent number: 11278235Abstract: A prosthetic device includes a frame defining an output axis, a cantilever beam spring attached to the frame, a moment arm attached to the spring, and a rigid output arm coupled to the frame and rotatable about the output axis. A connector assembly is configured to apply a moment to the cantilever beam spring via the moment arm while applying a torque about the output axis via the output arm. An ankle-foot device includes foot and ankle members connected for two-degree of freedom movement relative to one another, allowing for rotation about an ankle axis and rotation about a subtalar axis. Two linear actuators, each coupled to corresponding series elastic element, link the foot and ankle members. Driving the actuators in the same direction causes rotation about the ankle axis and driving the actuators in opposing directions causes rotation about the subtalar axis. A processor receives sensory information from a sensor and drives the actuators to control an equilibrium position of the series elastic elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Hugh M. Herr, Matthew Eli Carney, Emily Ann Rogers, Lucy Wei Du
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Patent number: 11234889Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an upper limb assist system including a back bracket, an arm bracket, a motor, and driving belts, wherein the arm bracket includes an upper arm, a forearm, and a hand portion, two ends of the forearm are configured to be rotatably coupled to the upper arm and the hand portion respectively, the upper arm is configured to be rotatably coupled to the back bracket, the upper limb assist system further includes driving members and corresponding rotating wheels disposed on the upper arm, the forearm and the hand portion respectively, wherein the driving member is configured to have a first state and a second state.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Inventors: Shaofei Guo, Zhonghua Li, Wei Gong, Shipeng Wang, Jian Sang
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Patent number: 11197769Abstract: A system and method for controlling a device, such as a virtual reality (VR) and/or a prosthetic limb are provided. A biomimetic controller of the system comprises a signal processor and a musculoskeletal model. The signal processor processes M biological signals received from a residual limb to transform the M biological signals into N activation signals, where M and N are integers and M is less than N. The musculoskeletal model transforms the N activation signals into intended motion signals. A prosthesis controller transforms the intended motion signals into three or more control signals that are outputted from an output port of the prosthesis controller. A controlled device receives the control signals and performs one or more tasks in accordance with the control signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignees: West Virginia University, University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher EducationInventors: Anton Sobinov, Sergiy Yakovenko, Valeriya Gritsenko, Matthew Boots, Robert Gaunt, Jennifer Collinger, Lee Fisher
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Patent number: 11185429Abstract: An impedance simulating motion controller for orthotic and prosthetic devices includes an equilibrium trajectory generator that receives locomotion data regarding the locomotion of a user, a dynamic trajectory compensator that generates one or more control parameters based on the locomotion data and one or more physiological characteristics of the user, and a dynamic gain tuner that adjusts the one or more control parameters based on a gain scaling factor that is calculated using a measured deflection point and an expected deflection point. The adjusted control parameters are used to control movement of an actuator of an orthotic or prosthetic device.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Victhom Laboratory Inc.Inventor: David Langlois
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Patent number: 11185460Abstract: A walker for use by a mobility impaired disabled user. The walker supports the user while moving them through a set of movements correlating to a walking motion. The walker includes an exoskeleton, a power source in the form of a battery pack or other similar onboard power pack together with its associated power supply cables, and a control system The exoskeleton includes a rigid pelvic support member including a pelvic harness and a pair of leg structures. Each of the leg structures comprise an upper leg structural member, a lower leg structural member, a foot member, a main hip actuator, a knee actuator and a main foot actuator.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: REX BIONICS LIMITEDInventors: Richard Little, Robert Alexander Irving
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Patent number: 11185426Abstract: Features for a prosthetic wrist and associated methods are described. The wrist couples with a prosthetic socket and a prosthetic hand. The wrist may rotate the hand. The wrist includes features to prevent or mitigate undesirable separation of the wrist from the socket. The wrist may have an expanding coupling, such as an expanding ring, to better secure the wrist with the socket. An actuator may cause the coupling to expand outward to prevent or mitigate undesirable separation of the wrist from the socket. Alternatively or in addition, the wrist may include torque control features to prevent undesirable or premature separation of the hand from the wrist, for example when using a “quick wrist disconnect” (QWD) apparatus. A torque control method may tailor or limit multiple torques to be applied by the wrist to the hand based on operational requirements and phases, such as anticipated torque loads and operational timing.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2018Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Touch Bionics LimitedInventors: Hugh Gill, Rodrigo Mercader Rivera