Abstract: A device controls movement of a prosthetic joint or an orthotic joint. The device includes a hydraulic damper having a movable piston in a hydraulic housing of the hydraulic damper. The movable piston forms a first chamber and a second chamber in the hydraulic damper. The device has a first fluid channel coupled to the first chamber. The device has a latch in communication with the first fluid channel. The device has a poppet valve configured to set the latch in a locked position when a defined pressure in the first chamber is reached and restrict movement of the movable piston in a first direction. The device has a manual valve configured to be moveable to an open position when the latch is in the locked position, the manual valve in the open position to allow fluid to flow between the first chamber and the second chamber.

Abstract: Technology is described to provide a locking device to control movement of a prosthetic limb. The technology may include a hydraulic damper having a movable damper wall in a hydraulic housing of the hydraulic damper, and the movable damper wall may form a first chamber and second chamber in the hydraulic damper. A first fluid channel may be coupled to the first chamber. In addition, a latch may be in fluid communication with the first fluid channel. A poppet valve can be configured to set the latch in an open position when pressure is reduced in the first chamber and to stop fluid movement when pressure is increased in the first chamber. A second fluid channel between the second chamber and the latch may enable fluid to flow between the second chamber and the latch.

Abstract: Technology is described which can provide a quick disconnect and overload protection mechanism for a prosthetic limb that is used with an osseointegrated percutaneous post. The technology can provide a way to easily don and doff a prosthetic limb. This quick disconnect may also provide a resettable torsional overload protection mechanism and/or a fusible link that may act to protect the osseointegrated percutaneous post from both axial and bending over-loads.

Abstract: Technology is described which can provide a quick disconnect and overload protection mechanism for a prosthetic limb that is used with an osseointegrated percutaneous post. The technology can provide a way to easily don and doff a prosthetic limb. This quick disconnect may also provide a resettable torsional overload protection mechanism and/or a fusible link that may act to protect the osseointegrated percutaneous post from both axial and bending over-loads.

Abstract: A cutting system for cutting sheets of material can automatically transfer original registration marks or other indicia from one side of the material to an opposite side, in direct alignment with the original registration marks or other indicia. The cutting system includes a cutting station, a feed station, and a registration transfer system between the feed and cutting stations. The registration transfer system includes a camera or other detector that moves in unison with a pen or other marker-type device to respectively detect the original registration marks or other indicia and apply a registration marks or other indicia on the sheets.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Technology is described for easy and safe attachment of a prosthetic limb to a percutaneous post that has been osseointegrated into the remnant limb of an individual with limb loss. A quick-disconnect device for a prosthetic limb can comprise a percutaneous post support assembly comprising a post locking assembly attached to a percutaneous post. A roller support can be coupled to the percutaneous post support assembly and can support torsional breakaway rollers. A release housing assembly can be coupled to the percutaneous post support assembly, and can comprise a limb support housing supporting a limb attachment structure to support a prosthetic limb. The release housing assembly comprises a torsional breakaway spring. The plurality of torsional breakaway rollers are each biased to the torsional breakaway spring to generate a spring force to restrict or limit rotation of the percutaneous post support assembly. Other breakaway springs and rollers are provided for bending release and axial release.

Abstract: A technology for a prosthetic above-knee device is provided. A socket may be used to attach the device to a residual limb, and may have a rigid body coupled to the socket. The device may include a first link with a first link end coupled through the rigid body to the socket and a second link end coupled to the rigid body. The second link of the device may have a third link end attached to the rigid body, and a fourth link end coupled to a housing. The device may include a hydraulic cylinder with a piston and a hydraulic cylinder link coupled between the rigid body and the piston of the hydraulic cylinder. The stability adjustment nut may adjust a travel distance of the hydraulic cylinder link with respect to the hydraulic cylinder to provide an adjustment of an instant center for stability modification.

Abstract: A high load capacity bearing that includes a cylindrical outer sleeve that fits around a separable cylindrical outer race assembly. The outer race assembly includes a set of non-helical grooves formed on its inside surface that mesh and engage teeth formed on the outside surface of a plurality of rotating rollers that are longitudinally and axially aligned inside the outer race assembly. The rollers are longitudinally aligned and evenly space apart and rotated as a unit inside the outer race assembly. Located in side the rollers is an inner race with non-helical grooves formed on its outside surface that mesh and engage the teeth on the rollers. The inner race includes a smooth inside bore that fits around the support surface on a shaft.

Abstract: An improved dimensional detection system is portable and can be used to characterize a workpiece. The dimensional detection system employs as few as a single focused light source and as few as a single camera along with a calibration data set to convert the illuminated pixels of an image of a beam on the workpiece into a cloud of real world points in space on an outer surface of the workpiece. The cloud of points can be processed to characterize the workpiece, such as by determining the right hexahedron that would encompass all of the real world points in space and which could be used to determine a dimensional weight of the workpiece.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a permanent magnet, brushless motor comprising a primary rotor having alternating magnetic poles around a circumference, a secondary rotor similar to the primary rotor. The primary rotor may be free to rotate by approximately plus or minus one pole of the secondary rotor. As such, when the two rotor components have opposite polarities aligned, the motor may be in a field weakened state. Generally, the field weakened state may be the normal state of the motor. As a significant load is encountered, the rotors may automatically transition to a non-weakened state wherein similar polarities are aligned on the rotors. A permanent magnet, brushless motor as described herein may be employed at a motor level or integrated into a linear actuator, wherein the rotor of the permanent magnet, brushless motor may include a hollow shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a permanent magnet, brushless motor comprising a primary rotor having alternating magnetic poles around a circumference, a secondary rotor similar to the primary rotor. The primary rotor may be free to rotate by approximately plus or minus one pole of the secondary rotor. As such, when the two rotor components have opposite polarities aligned, the motor may be in a field weakened state. Generally, the field weakened state may be the normal state of the motor. As a significant load is encountered, the rotors may automatically transition to a non-weakened state wherein similar polarities are aligned on the rotors. A permanent magnet, brushless motor as described herein may be employed at a motor level or integrated into a linear actuator, wherein the rotor of the permanent magnet, brushless motor may include a hollow shaft.

Abstract: A system and method of grip force feedback for use with a prosthetic device is provided in the present invention. The system can include a prosthetic hand having a plurality of digits for use with the prosthetic device. A force sensor can be provided to produce a force signal and the force sensor is configured to be associated with the plurality of digits for the prosthetic hand. In addition, a force feedback controller can receive the force signal from the force sensor. A force feedback actuator is also in communication with the force feedback controller. The force feedback actuator can provide feedback vibrations to a user of the prosthetic device.

Abstract: A multi-axis wrist device is provided for use with a prosthetic limb. The wrist device includes a base plate that is configured for attachment to a prosthetic limb. A cross piece, having first and second axes, can be coupled to the base plate. A prosthetic attachment can be coupled to the cross piece. The cross piece can enable a user to simultaneously flex the prosthetic attachment in two different axes. A first and second torsional spring can be coupled to the first and second axes, respectively, to enable the prosthetic attachment to be biased toward a center point.

Abstract: A method for winding a stator of a multi-phase motor includes successively winding each of a plurality of teeth on the stator with a continuous winding wire to connect each of the phases in the motor together. The wound wire is disconnected between any two phases where respective ends of the two phases connected by the winding wire are not neutral ends. A jumper wire is connected between a neutral end of any one of the phases to a neutral end of at least one other phase if the neutral end of any one of the phases is not connected to the neutral end of at least one other phase by the winding wire.

Abstract: A wrist device is provided for use with a prosthetic limb. The wrist device includes a base plate that is configured for attachment to a prosthetic limb and a sliding lock plate that is slidably engaged with the base plate. Both the base plate and the sliding lock plate have openings. Also included in the invention is a semi-cylindrical rotator that is configured for attachment to a prosthetic hand. The semi-cylindrical rotator has slots configured to receive the sliding lock plate and is coupled to the base plate in a manner that allows the sliding lock plate to lock into the slots.

Abstract: A method for winding a stator of a multi-phase motor includes successively winding each of a plurality of teeth on the stator with a continuous winding wire to connect each of the phases in the motor together. The wound wire is disconnected between any two phases where respective ends of the two phases connected by the winding wire are not neutral ends. A jumper wire is connected between a neutral end of any one of the phases to a neutral end of at least one other phase if the neutral end of any one of the phases is not connected to the neutral end of at least one other phase by the winding wire.

Abstract: A grip device for an artificial or prosthetic arm, including at least two opposable digits and a drive linkage powered by a drive motor. When the drive motor is powered it enables the two opposable digits to grip. The drive linkage includes a drive and transmission attached to the drive motor. A backlock is connected to the drive and transmission. Surrounding the backlock is a backlock housing which contains the drive, selected transmission elements, and a backlock. A stop element is also included for holding the backlock housing fixed with respect to ground. The stop element can be released to allow the backlock housing to move freely and to avoid power transmission without disrupting the operating structure of the transmission.

Abstract: The invention relates to motors and motor assemblies that can be washed without causing corrosion of components, and without causing premature motor failure as a result of corrosion. The motor and motor assembly comprise components constructed from non-corroding materials, such as stainless steel. The motor and motor assembly are constructed according to an unsealed design, in which washing fluid can enter the motor and the motor housing during washing. The washing fluid can drain away after washing is completed. The unsealed design permits heat generated during operation of the motor to drive off residual washing fluid. The motor and motor assembly can be readily cleaned, easily can be maintained in an corrosion-free state, and are not subject to premature failure from corrosion induced by trapped washing fluid.