Abstract: An artificial joint including a main body and a lower portion adapted to pivotally engage the main body about a control axis while having a locking means that is integral with the lower portion. An upper portion adapted to pivotally engage the main body about a flexing axis and has an engagement means adapted to engage and disengage the locking means upon the pivoting rotation of the upper portion relative the main body. A biasing means is adapted to engage both the main body and the lower portion thereby biasing the locking means to engage the engagement means, and at least one stopping surface adapted to limit motion between the main body and the lower portion. The locking means is activated when a load is imposed on the artificial joint and passes through a line posterior to the control axis, and is de-activated when the load passes through a line anterior to the control axis.
Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting swallowing activity is provided. In an embodiment, a method includes receiving an electronic signal from an accelerometer that represents swallowing activity, extracting at least two features from the signal, classifying the signal as a type of swallowing activity based on the extracted features, and generating an output of the classification. Exemplary activities include swallows, aspirations, movement and vocal artifacts. By indicating whether an activity is a swallow or an aspiration, the manner in which a patient afflicted with an increased likelihood for aspirations is fed can be adjusted to increase the likelihood of achieving a swallow instead of an aspiration during feeding. In turn this could reduce hospitalizations for aspiration pneumonia in patients with acute or chronic injury.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 10, 2009
Date of Patent:
July 6, 2010
Assignee:
Bloorview Kids Rehab
Inventors:
Thomas T. K. Chau, David J. Kenny, Michael J. Casas, Glenn Berall
Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting swallowing activity is provided. In an embodiment, a method includes receiving an electronic signal from an accelerometer that represents swallowing activity, extracting at least two features from the signal, classifying the signal as a type of swallowing activity based on the extracted features, and generating an output of the classification. Exemplary activities include swallows, aspirations, movement and vocal artifacts. By indicating whether an activity is a swallow or an aspiration, the manner in which a patient afflicted with an increased likelihood for aspirations is fed can be adjusted to increase the likelihood of achieving a swallow instead of an aspiration during feeding. In turn this could reduce hospitalizations for aspiration pneumonia in patients with acute or chronic injury.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 10, 2009
Publication date:
September 10, 2009
Applicant:
Bloorview Kids Rehab
Inventors:
Thomas T.K. Chau, David J. Kenny, Michael J. Casas, Glenn Berall
Abstract: A prosthesis is provided having a joint that allows for substantially quick-connection and quick-disconnection of a shell to a liner. The joint also allows for rotational movement and effects electrical connection and mechanical connection between the shell and the liner during connection of the shell to the liner and maintains the connection throughout rotation of the shell in relation to the liner.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 21, 2006
Publication date:
January 25, 2007
Applicant:
Bloorview Kids Rehab, a corporation registered under the Ontario Corporations Act
Inventors:
Ihsan Al-Temen, David Wells, Gillbert Chau