Abstract: A prosthesis or orthosis for a joint, such as an ankle, which includes a first body, a second body, and an articulated joint between the first and second bodies, the articulated joint allowing the rotation of the first and second bodies with respect to one another around a joint rotation axis. It further includes a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the rotation between the first and second bodies in one direction, when it is in a locked configuration, and a transmission mechanism such that a rotation of the joint rotation axis generates a movement of a lockable part of the locking mechanism. The axis of the movement of the lockable part is shifted relative to the joint rotation axis and the transmission mechanism includes a reducer configured to reduce effort to lock the rotation of the first body with respect to the second body.

Abstract: A joint assembly for a robot, comprising a housing connected with an output part. The housing comprising a housing wall and a strain wave gearing system. The strain wave gearing system comprising a wave generator, a flexspline, and a circular spline connected to the output part. The wave generator is rotated by a rotor shaft. The rotor shaft is driven by an electric motor comprising a rotor magnet and a stator. The rotor magnet being affixed to the rotor shaft. The joint assembly further comprises one or more sensors comprising one or more magnetic field sensors and one or more pole rings arranged to measure a position of the output part in relation to the housing.

Abstract: A wrist joint actuating structure of a hand rehabilitation device includes a palm orthosis body, a forearm orthosis body and a joint unit. The palm orthosis body includes a plurality of finger support rods and a thumb support rod. The joint unit is a universal joint and is connected between the palm orthosis body and the forearm orthosis body. The palm orthosis body can be turned an angle relative to the forearm orthosis body through actuation of the joint unit according to the bending degree of a user's wrist joint. A tension adjustment unit includes elastic members connected to the finger support rods and the thumb support rod. According to the different stretching tensions required by the fingers or the thumb for rehabilitation, the respective lengths of the other ends of the elastic members to be pressed by a fixing seat are adjustable, so as to adjust different stretching tensions.

Abstract: A locking hinge with a first component and a second component which are mounted against each other in a pivotal manner relative to each other about a pivot axis. The first component has a latching recess, and the second component has a latching element which is designed to penetrate the latching recess in a latching position of the first component relative to the second component, thus preventing a pivoting movement of the first component relative to the second component in at least one direction. The latching element is designed to penetrate the latching recess to different depths in at least two different latching positions.

Abstract: Disclosed are a body channel communication method and an apparatus performing the same. An operating method of a transmitter includes obtaining an input signal including biometric information, generating an encoded signal and a control signal by encoding the input signal, generating a return-to-zero (RZ) signal of a biphasic waveform based on the encoded signal, and transmitting the RZ signal through a body channel.

Abstract: An artificial joint for lower extremities, comprising an upper part, which has mechanisms for attaching to a user, and a lower part mounted thereon in a pivotal manner about a joint axis. The lower part can be bent in from an extended position into a flexed position. A force accumulator is associated with the joint and is loaded via a force transmission mechanism through a flexing movement of the upper part relative to the lower part and supports an extension movement of the lower part relative to the upper part at least over a part of the extension movement. The force transmission device exerts a maximum moment of extension at a bending angle between 45° to 80°.

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: Described is a fail-safe actuating system, comprising an actuator with an actuator housing and an output element. The output element is couplable to a controlled device. The fail-safe actuating system also comprises a biasing element, coupled to the actuator housing, which gets biased by a movement of the actuator housing in a first predefined direction; a locking device that locks the actuator housing for holding the biasing element in a biased state; and a controller configured to operate the actuator in a first operating mode, in which the actuator housing moves with respect to the output element for biasing the biasing element, and in the second operating mode, in which the output element moves with respect to the actuator housing for moving the controlled device.

Abstract: A robot includes a base, first and second arms, first and second drive sources, first and second inertia sensors, and first and second angle sensors. A rotation axis of the first arm and a rotation axis of the second arm are orthogonal to each other. The first inertia sensor is installed at the first arm, and the second inertia sensor is installed at the second arm. The first angle sensor is installed at the first drive source, and the second angle sensor is installed at the second drive source. Angular velocities obtained from the first inertia sensor and the first angle sensor are fed back to a first drive source control unit. Angular velocities obtained from the second inertia sensor and the second angle sensor are fed back to a second drive source control unit.

Abstract: A methodology for using cortical signals to control a multi jointed prosthetic device for direct real-time interaction with the physical environment, including improved methods for calibration and training.

Abstract: A rotary actuator comprises a motor, gearing connected for driving by the motor, an output drive member and bearings for carrying the output drive member, wherein the gearing comprises wave generator gearing and the gearing is at least partially located radially within the bearings. In addition, an artificial limb member comprises an actuator to effect movement of the limb member, wherein the actuator comprises a motor connected to wave generator gearing.

Abstract: A control device for a robot arm is designed such that, based on information on a transportation state database in which information on a transportation state of a person operating the arm is recorded, an impedance setting unit sets a mechanical impedance set value of the arm, and an impedance control unit controls a mechanical impedance value of the arm to the mechanical impedance set value thus set.

Abstract: A system for assisting the motion of a body connected through joints provides a system for imparting a suitable torque to the connected body at the time of various turns including the bending of the joints. The torque imparting system has first and second measuring means, a reference work volume determining means, and an external torque determining means. The first measuring means measures the internal work volume of the around-joint leg. The second measuring means measures an external work volume around a joint imparted to the leg. The reference work volume determining means determines a reference work volume based on the internal work volume. The external torque determining means determines an external torque imparted to the leg so as to reduce the difference between the internal work volume of the leg and the reference work volume, based on the external work volume.

Abstract: An object taking-out apparatus for taking out objects randomly stacked in a container according to a condition of how each object is placed, which includes a robot hand having telescopic means and a coupling member whose one ends are connected to a robot arm end, and holding means coupled to their other ends. The telescopic means expands and contracts to cause the holding means to assume either a first orientation where a small angle is formed or a second orientation where a large angle is formed between a holding direction axis of the holding means and a rotary axis of the robot arm end, thereby taking out objects without causing interaction between the robot and the container.

Abstract: A bandage which may be used for the forearm or as an upper arm triple traction bandage includes a bandage strap (3) that engages a ring (2) to form a loop. At least one elastic bandage strap (4) engages the ring (2) and encloses a cable (6) which at one end is secured to the ring (2) and has a fastening device at its other end (4a). The fastening device is formed by a strap connector (11, 12, 13) having a flat lower part (11) which is adapted to the strap width. The upper side is covered by a flat upper part (12) onto which a clamp slide (13) is pushed that engages under the lower part (11) and firmly presses the lower part and upper part together with the strap end (4a) lying between them. The strap connector (11, 12, 13) has a clamp-free cable passage (14, 15, 16) and a bracket (19) for securing the strap connector (11, 12, 13) to a prosthesis part.

Abstract: A forearm lifter for assisting in the articulation of a mating forearm part of an arm prosthesis with respect to a mating upper arm part about at least one elbow axis is disclosed. The forearm lifter includes: (i) a spring element; (ii) a mechanism having an input and an output, with the spring element directly or indirectly applying a tensile force to the input of the mechanism; and (iii) a tension element having one end acted upon by the output of the mechanism, and having another end which can be fastened at a fixed point on said mating upper arm part. The fixed point and the elbow axis define a torque lever, such that the force that is transmitted through the mechanism from the spring element applies torque to the mating upper arm part in such a manner that the curve of the torque acting at the fixed point, plotted against the angle of articulation of said forearm part, is approximately parabolic. The torque has its minimum values in both the forearm extended position and at maximum forearm bending.

Abstract: An artificial manually positionable elbow joint for use in an upper extremity, above-elbow, prosthetic which provides a locking feature that is easily controlled by the wearer. The instant elbow joint is very strong and durable to withstand the repeated heavy loadings encountered by a wearer who works in an industrial, construction, farming or similar environment. The elbow joint of the present invention comprises a turntable, a frame, a forearm and a locking assembly. The frame generally includes a housing for the locking assembly and two protruding ears. The forearm includes an elongated beam having a cup-shaped cylindrical member at one end and a locking wheel having a plurality of holes along a circular arc on its other end with a central bore for pivotal attachment to the protruding ears of the frame.

Abstract: An artificial arm capable of being used as a prosthesis on a human body and controlled through activating sensors secured to the human body adjacent the attachment site of the artificial arm and operating a plurality of drive motors. Three independent drive motors are mounted between foundation bases including an upper arm base, forearm base and hand base wherein the latter two move relative to one another and to the forearm base and each of the three drive motors are positioned and structured to cause relative movement of one foundation base relative to the other, thereby adding strength and simplicity to an artificial arm structure having a high degree of versatility and range of movements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a releasing means for a prosthetic elbow locking mechanism. When an elbow unlocking cable is tensed by the amputee, a switch is closed, triggering a one-shot circuit. The one-shot circuit emits a single pulse which drives the motor of the prosthetic elbow, turning the motor a few degrees and lifting the arm such that any frictional engagement between an elbow locking pawl and an elbow gear is relaxed. The locking pawl is readily withdrawn from engagement with the gear, once the motor is pulsed, upon continued application of further tension to the elbow unlocking cable.