Patents Assigned to Dynamics Inc.
  • Publication number: 20200172183
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Blankespoor, Marco da Silva
  • Publication number: 20200172862
    Abstract: Methods are provided, in some aspects, for differentiating pluripotent cells into midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons using a mono-SMAD inhibition or inhibition of SMAD signaling with only one SMAD inhibitor. In some embodiments, mono-SMAD inhibition utilizes a single inhibitor of bone morphogenic protein (BMP) for differentiating pluripotent cells into midbrain DA neurons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. McMAHON, Lauren E. LITTLE, Wen Bo WANG, Nathaniel A. ELLIOTT
  • Patent number: 10667583
    Abstract: A control docking station system for controlling locking engagement between a first female member and a male member that together form a locking mechanism. The first female member is connected to a safety device. The male member can be locked to and released from the first female member. The system includes a controller configured to sense an unsafe interlock signal. A second female member is operably connected to the controller's housing. Each female member includes a receiver base and a pair of pivoting locking tabs that is engageable with a key-like projection on the male member. The male member may be unlocked from the first female member when the controller senses an interruption to the unsafe interlock signal or if the unsafe interlock signal is overridden. The male member may be docked in the second female member during safe circumstances and/or the safety device is unused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Control Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric M. Moran
  • Patent number: 10668624
    Abstract: An example method may include i) detecting a disturbance to a gait of a robot, where the gait includes a swing state and a step down state, the swing state including a target swing trajectory for a foot of the robot, and where the target swing trajectory includes a beginning and an end; and ii) based on the detected disturbance, causing the foot of the robot to enter the step down state before the foot reaches the end of the target swing trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Blankespoor, Benjamin Stephens, Marco da Silva
  • Patent number: 10654168
    Abstract: A control system may receive a first plurality of measurements indicative of respective joint angles corresponding to a plurality of sensors connected to a robot. The robot may include a body and a plurality of jointed limbs connected to the body associated with respective properties. The control system may also receive a body orientation measurement indicative of an orientation of the body of the robot. The control system may further determine a relationship between the first plurality of measurements and the body orientation measurement based on the properties associated with the jointed limbs of the robot. Additionally, the control system may estimate an aggregate orientation of the robot based on the first plurality of measurements, the body orientation measurement, and the determined relationship. Further, the control system may provide instructions to control at least one jointed limb of the robot based on the estimated aggregate orientation of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Khripin, Alfred Anthony Rizzi
  • Patent number: 10653513
    Abstract: Systems and methods for screening a subject for a therapy are described. A mechanical stimulation device positioned near at target location of a blood vessel to provide a mechanical stimulus to the blood vessel. The mechanical stimulus increases strain in one or more regions of the blood vessel, such as by modifying the cross-sectional geometry and/or area of the blood vessel to have different regions of different curvature A baroreflex or related physiological response in response to the mechanical stimulation is detected. In response to the detected response, it is determined whether the subject is appropriate for the therapy and/or which of a plurality of implants with different geometries and/or cross-sectional areas is most optimally suited for deployment in the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Vascular Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Seybold, Christopher Ken, Jennifer Gong, Suji Shetty, Robert Stern, Edmund Roschak
  • Patent number: 10655684
    Abstract: An example robot includes: a motor disposed at a joint configured to control motion of a member of the robot; a transmission including an input member coupled to and configured to rotate with the motor, an intermediate member, and an output member, where the intermediate member is fixed such that as the input member rotates, the output member rotates therewith at a different speed; a pad frictionally coupled to a side surface of the output member of the transmission and coupled to the member of the robot; and a spring configured to apply an axial preload on the pad, wherein the axial preload defines a torque limit that, when exceeded by a torque load on the member of the robot, the output member of the transmission slips relative to the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary John Jackowski, Adam Young
  • Publication number: 20200141853
    Abstract: A particle growth apparatus includes a temperature-controlled humidifier coupled to a water-based condensation growth system. The humidifier may include a tube of sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer and surrounded by a region containing water or water vapor. The apparatus includes a wetted wick and wick sensor in the condensation growth system, configured such that the gas sample flows through the sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer tube into the condensation growth system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.
    Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Arantzazu Eiguren Fernandez, Gregory Stephen Lewis, Steven Russel Spielman, Philip Bougouis
  • Patent number: 10639863
    Abstract: This specification discloses an article of manufacture. The article of manufacture has at least one structural blank and at least one guide. The structural blank has a plurality of oriented fiber plies in a thermoplastic matrix. The guide has a plurality of random dispersed fibers in a thermoplastic matrix. The guide is affixed to the structural blank by injection molding and over molding the guide onto the structural blank. The article of manufacture can take a number of forms for use in industries such as aircraft, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, trains or watercraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Cutting Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: William V. Carson, Jr., George Bielert, Rocco DeAngelis
  • Publication number: 20200123501
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the production of antigen-specific effector T cells and NK cells from pluripotent stem cells which express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Further provided herein are methods for the adoptive cell therapy by administering the effector T cells and/or NK cells provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Maksym A. VODYANYK, Xin ZHANG, Andrew J. BRANDL, Deepika RAJESH, Bradley SWANSON, Christie MUNN, Sarah BURTON, Wen Bo WANG, Ethan McLEOD
  • Publication number: 20200116619
    Abstract: A wick liquid sensor suitable for use in a particle condensation device is provided. The sensor includes a light source configured to illuminate a surface of the wick. A detector is configured to detect wick reflected light from the light source and determine the intensity of reflected light. The wick is formed from a porous media that is wettable by the liquid, and becomes translucent when filled with the liquid. The amount of reflectivity decreases as the saturation content of the liquid in the wick increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.
    Inventors: Susanne Vera Hering, Steven Russel Spielman, Gregory Stephen Lewis
  • Publication number: 20200117198
    Abstract: A method for terrain and constraint planning a step plan includes receiving, at data processing hardware of a robot, image data of an environment about the robot from at least one image sensor. The robot includes a body and legs. The method also includes generating, by the data processing hardware, a body-obstacle map, a ground height map, and a step-obstacle map based on the image data and generating, by the data processing hardware, a body path for movement of the body of the robot while maneuvering in the environment based on the body-obstacle map. The method also includes generating, by the data processing hardware, a step path for the legs of the robot while maneuvering in the environment based on the body path, the body-obstacle map, the ground height map, and the step-obstacle map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Whitman, Gina Christine Fay
  • Publication number: 20200117214
    Abstract: A robot includes a drive system configured to maneuver the robot about an environment and data processing hardware in communication with memory hardware and the drive system. The memory hardware stores instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations. The operations include receiving image data of the robot maneuvering in the environment and executing at least one waypoint heuristic. The at least one waypoint heuristic is configured to trigger a waypoint placement on a waypoint map. In response to the at least one waypoint heuristic triggering the waypoint placement, the operations include recording a waypoint on the waypoint map where the waypoint is associated with at least one waypoint edge and includes sensor data obtained by the robot. The at least one waypoint edge includes a pose transform expressing how to move between two waypoints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dom Jonak, Marco da Silva, Joel Chestnutt, Matt Klingensmith
  • Patent number: 10617454
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fracture fixation plate assembly comprised of a body, a hinge, a pin, and one or more heads, in which the head or heads can pivot and displace laterally/medially and can tilt vertically with respect to the body of the plate, more efficiently and flexibly enabling the fastening of the body of the plate to a stable part of the bone prior to reduction of the fractured portion or portions of the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Skeletal Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge L. Orbay, Alexander Gil
  • Patent number: 10610131
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide a limb motion sensor system (100) used to objectively assist detection of equine lameness and even monitor change in gait quality over time. Biosensors (102) may be attached to the pair of front and/or hind limbs. Each conformally shaped biosensor device may be placed lateral to the metacarpal/metatarsal bone (e.g., attached to the lower limb). Inertial data may be collected by the set of sensor devices and may be wirelessly transferred to a portable, perhaps wearable, mobile controller and analytics unit (104) (e.g., smart phone, tablet, or the like). A signal processor application (108) may automatically segment each stride into phases and perform analyses to quantify limb motion metrics and uniformity over time for a single limb (unilateral consistency) or between the contralateral limbs (bilateral symmetry). Three-dimensional motion metrics may be processed, displayed, stored on, and even transmitted from the mobile information system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Cadence Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Thompson, Leah Estberg
  • Patent number: 10611034
    Abstract: An example method includes identifying an operating state at which a velocity of a hydraulic actuator configured to operate a movable member of a robot is less than a threshold velocity and an actuator force is less than a threshold force, determining a valve command that corresponds to the operating state, such that the valve command is provided to a valve configured to control flow to and from the hydraulic actuator, and the valve includes a spool movable within a body of the valve, and the valve command causes the spool to move within the body of the valve to a position that induces the operating state, and determining a null bias signal based on the valve command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Scott Rose, Zachary John Jackowski
  • Patent number: 10604739
    Abstract: Methods and composition for the production of cardiomyocytes from differentiation of pluripotent stem cells are provided. For example, in certain aspects methods including differentiating pluripotent stem cells in a large volume of suspension culture in the presence of ROCK inhibitors are described. In further aspects, methods for differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes that overcome variability between different stem cell clones and different batch of culture medium are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Casey Stankewicz, Matt Riley, Nathaniel Beardsley, Wen Bo Wang, Peter Fuhrken, Steven Kattman
  • Patent number: 10590383
    Abstract: Methods are provided, in some aspects, for differentiating pluripotent cells into midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons using a mono-SMAD inhibition or inhibition of SMAD signaling with only one SMAD inhibitor. In some embodiments, mono-SMAD inhibition utilizes a single inhibitor of bone morphogenic protein (BMP) for differentiating pluripotent cells into midbrain DA neurons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. McMahon, Lauren E. Little, Wen Bo Wang, Nathaniel A. Elliott
  • Patent number: 10583879
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Blankespoor, Marco da Silva
  • Publication number: 20200074970
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for a magnetically and releaseably attachable trigger for an instrument is provided. Additionally, the trigger provides for an increased sensitivity of sound by being in direct physical contact with the surface on which it is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: Rare Earth Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Riley Suitor