Patents Assigned to The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
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Patent number: 7998094Abstract: An apparatus and method for examining fiber tension, fiber stress, sarcomere length, etc. in muscle fibers and tension and stress in ligament or tendon tissues as well as brain or nerve fibers by applying a lifting force to lift the fiber or tissue a lifting distance, measuring the lifting force and distance and calculating the axial tension on the fiber bundle or tissue. The apparatus and method also make it possible to illuminate and view the fiber bundle or tissue to examine and characterize visually observable properties.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventors: Li-Qun Zhang, Yi-Ning Wu, Yupeng Ren
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Patent number: 7922773Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the control of prosthetic limb rotation in amputees in which a permanent magnet is implanted into the distal end of a residual bone and the bone rotation is sensed from movement of the magnetic field of the magnet and used to effect corresponding rotation of the prosthetic limb.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventor: Todd A. Kuiken
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Patent number: 7803125Abstract: A pelvic support unit is coupled to a base by a powered vertical force actuator mechanism. A torso support unit, which is affixed to the patient independently of the pelvic support unit, is connected to the base by one or more powered articulations which are actuable around respective axes of motion. Sensors sense the linear and angular displacement of the pelvic support unit and the torso support unit. A control unit is coupled to these sensors and, responsive to signals from them, selectively control the displacement actuator and articulation(s).Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago EnterprisesInventors: Julio Santos-Munne, Alex Makhlin, Ela Lewis, Michael Peshkin, David A. Brown, J. Edward Colgate, James L. Patton, Benjamin L. Rush, Doug Schwandt
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Patent number: 7799366Abstract: A unique flexible cover and a method are provided for creating such a flexible cover for a prosthesis, orthosis or other dynamic or flexible supporting device. One implementation of the method includes the steps of capturing an image of a target object comprising at least a portion of an existing body part of a person or another object, digitally processing and manipulating the image of the target object to form a representation, printing the representation onto a flexible cover, and applying the cover to a prosthesis, orthosis, or other object.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2006Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventors: Todd A. Kuiken, Roger Good
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Publication number: 20090275867Abstract: A pelvic support unit is coupled to a base by a powered vertical force actuator mechanism. A torso support unit, which is affixed to the patient independently of the pelvic support unit, is connected to the base by one or more powered articulations which are actuable around respective axes of motion. Sensors sense the linear and angular displacement of the pelvic support unit and the torso support unit. A control unit is coupled to these sensors and, responsive to signals from them, selectively control the displacement actuator and articulation(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventors: Julio SANTOS-MUNNE, Alex Makhlin, Ela Lewis, Michael Peshkin, David A. Brown, J. Edward Colgate, James L. Patton, Benjamin L. Rush, Doug Schwandt
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Patent number: 7544172Abstract: A pelvic support unit is coupled to a base by a powered vertical force actuator mechanism. A torso support unit, which is affixed to the patient independently of the pelvic support unit, is connected to the base by one or more powered articulations which are actuable around respective axes of motion. Sensors sense the linear and angular displacement of the pelvic support unit and the torso support unit. A control unit is coupled to these sensors and, responsive to signals from them, selectively control the displacement actuator and articulation(s). Wheel modules are independently powered to both rotate and steer, and, responsive to the control unit, are capable of rolling the exercise device in a direction of travel intended by the patient.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2004Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago EnterprisesInventors: Julio Santos-Munne, Alex Makhlin, Ela Lewis, Michael Peshkin, David A. Brown, J. Edward Colgate, James L. Patton, Benjamin L. Rush, Doug Schwandt
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Patent number: 7472956Abstract: A pneumatic support system for a wheelchair is provided herein. An implementation includes a support unit that supports a portion of the body of a user, a control unit that permits the user to control whether the support unit gets inflated or deflated, and a compressor that provides pressurized air to the support unit to inflate the support unit. The wheelchair has a valve, such when the user indicates that the support unit is to be inflated, the control unit sends a signal to the valve to move the valve to a first position, thereby permitted the pressurized air to reach the support unit. The support unit may be implemented in a variety of ways, and may be one of many support units. In one implementation, the support unit supports a thoracic portion of the user's body.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2006Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventors: Mohsen Makhsous, Fang Lin, Susan J. Taylor
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Publication number: 20080194997Abstract: A system and method are provided for in vivo, noninvasive diagnosis of patellar and scapular malalignment and maltracking. The patellar system and method include a patella-engaging apparatus and a motion analysis system. The patella-engaging apparatus includes a member that has a custom-contoured posterior surface that is configured to engage an anterior surface of a subject's patella. A plurality of markers is coupled with the anterior surface of the member and the motion analysis system optically tracks the plurality of markers. The system and method may optionally include a second portion such as a goniometer that tracks relative movement of the tibial and femoral portions of the subject's leg proximate to the patella. The member that has the custom-contoured posterior surface may be employed in a method and system for treating malalignment and maltracking, and a method for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment of the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventor: Li-Qun Zhang
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Publication number: 20070038311Abstract: A system and method for improving the functionality of a prosthesis used by an amputee in which a portion of the user's skin is reinnervated with nerves that formerly provided sensory feedback from the lost limb, providing a haptic indication from the prosthesis, and providing a corresponding haptic effect at the surface of the reinnervated skin. The reinnvervated skin provides transfer sensation that supplies the user with the psychological reassurance of sensing touch in the prosthesis while helping to meet the practical needs of enabling goal confirmation and the application and sensing of graded pressure in the prosthesis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2006Publication date: February 15, 2007Applicant: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventors: Todd Kuiken, Richard Weir, Jon Sensinger
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Patent number: 7165778Abstract: A manually operable standing wheelchair includes an actuator for moving an occupant from a sitting position to a standing position. The manually operable standing wheelchair has a lifting mechanism including a ratchet, cable, pulley, and telescopic tubes, which the occupant may manually operate to shift from the sitting position to the standing position. There is also a drive system to enable the occupant to manually move himself or herself in and the wheelchair from the sitting position to the standing position, or in any position in between. The drive system may include adjustable lever drive arms with friction pads adapted for allowing the occupant to move in any position. The wheelchair is equipped with a set of spring loaded anti-tip wheels that automatically deploy when the manual wheelchair begins to lift from the sitting position to the standing position.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventor: Todd A. Kuiken
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Publication number: 20060229755Abstract: A unique flexible cover and a method are provided for creating such a flexible cover for a prosthesis, orthosis or other dynamic or flexible supporting device. One implementation of the method includes the steps of capturing an image of a target object comprising at least a portion of an existing body part of a person or another object, digitally processing and manipulating the image of the target object to form a representation, printing the representation onto a flexible cover, and applying the cover to a prosthesis, orthosis, or other object.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2006Publication date: October 12, 2006Applicant: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventors: Todd Kuiken, Roger Good
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Publication number: 20060192362Abstract: A pneumatic support system for a wheelchair is provided herein. An implementation includes a support unit that supports a portion of the body of a user, a control unit that permits the user to control whether the support unit gets inflated or deflated, and a compressor that provides pressurized air to the support unit to inflate the support unit. The wheelchair has a valve, such when the user indicates that the support unit is to be inflated, the control unit sends a signal to the valve to move the valve to a first position, thereby permitted the pressurized air to reach the support unit. The support unit may be implemented in a variety of ways, and may be one of many support units. In one implementation, the support unit supports a thoracic portion of the user's body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2006Publication date: August 31, 2006Applicant: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventors: Mohsen Makhsous, Fang Lin, Susan Taylor
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Patent number: 7044984Abstract: The present invention provides a prosthetic foot that provides both energy storage capabilities and stability. The prosthetic foot of the present invention provides medial-lateral rotation as compared to the slight tilting or rocking in the medial-lateral plane of the prior art devices. Furthermore, the prosthetic foot of the present invention provides a true hinge in the ankle joint region that may be adapted so that the degree of rotation is controlled.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2000Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventor: Todd A. Kuiken
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Publication number: 20060061067Abstract: Described and claimed herein is a manually operable standing wheelchair that is capable of shifting an occupant from a sitting position to a standing position, and of allowing the occupant to move himself or herself in the sitting position, the standing position, or in any position in between. The manually operable standing wheelchair has a lifting mechanism, with a cable, pulley, and ratchet, which the occupant may manually operate to shift from the sitting position to the standing position. The ratchet is manually operable, and the amount of force required for manually operating the ratchet is adjustable. There is also a lever drive system, comprising adjustable lever drive arms with friction pads adapted for allowing the occupant to move in any position. The present invention optionally includes a set of spring loaded anti-tip wheels that deploy when the manual wheelchair begins to shift from the sitting position to the standing position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2005Publication date: March 23, 2006Applicant: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventor: Todd Kuiken
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Publication number: 20060064176Abstract: The present invention provides a prosthetic foot that provides both energy storage capabilities and stability. The prosthetic foot of the present invention provides medial-lateral rotation as compared to the slight tilting or rocking in the medial-lateral plane of the prior art devices. Furthermore, the prosthetic foot of the present invention provides a true hinge in the ankle joint region that may be adapted so that the degree of rotation is controlled.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2005Publication date: March 23, 2006Applicant: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventor: Todd Kuiken
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Patent number: 6976698Abstract: A manually operable standing wheelchair includes an actuator for moving an occupant from a sitting position to a standing position. The manually operable standing wheelchair has a lifting mechanism, including, for example, a ratchet, cable, pulley, and telescopic tubes, which the occupant may manually operate to shift from the sitting position to the standing position. There is also a drive system to enable the occupant to manually move himself or herself in and the wheelchair from the sitting position to the standing position, or in any position in between. For example, the drive system may include adjustable lever drive arms with friction pads adapted for allowing the occupant to move in any position. In an embodiment, the wheelchair is equipped with a set of spring loaded anti-tip wheels that automatically deploy when the manual wheelchair begins to lift from the sitting position to the standing position.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventor: Todd A. Kuiken
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Publication number: 20040212177Abstract: Described and claimed herein is a manually operable standing wheelchair that is capable of shifting an occupant from a sitting position to a standing position, and of allowing the occupant to move himself or herself in the sitting position, the standing position, or in any position in between. The manually operable standing wheelchair has a lifting mechanism, with a cable, pulley, and ratchet, which the occupant may manually operate to shift from the sitting position to the standing position. The ratchet is manually operable, and the amount of force required for manually operating the ratchet is adjustable. There is also a lever drive system, comprising adjustable lever drive arms with friction pads adapted for allowing the occupant to move in any position. The present invention optionally includes a set of spring loaded anti-tip wheels that deploy when the manual wheelchair begins to shift from the sitting position to the standing position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2003Publication date: October 28, 2004Applicant: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventor: Todd A. Kuiken
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Patent number: 6599255Abstract: A portable intelligent stretching device for use by patients suffering from spastic and contractured joints and limbs. The intelligent stretching device has a motor and a motor shaft for rotating the joint or limb. The variable velocity and stretch distance of the device is determined by a torque sensor on the joint or limb that communicates information to a controller which subsequently instructs the motor as to the variable velocity and stretch distance.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventor: Li-Qun Zhang
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Patent number: 4955879Abstract: A urinary drainage device that can be used as both a nighttime drainage container and a daytime, ambulatory drainage device. The device is flexible and can be folded and strapped to a patient's leg for ambulatory use or hung on the side of a patient's bed for stationary use.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1988Date of Patent: September 11, 1990Assignee: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventor: Jeanne A. Mervine
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Patent number: 4204527Abstract: A disposable urethral catheter assembly includes a flexible bag in which are defined a number of chambers. In an upper chamber, a catheter is contained in a sterile environment. When the catheter is inserted into the urethra, the fluid flows into the bag and into a lower sample chamber, excess fluid being collected in the upper chamber. After catheter use, a cannula plug seals a first barrier between the upper and lower chamber and thus isolates the sample in the lower chamber. The upper chamber, its contents and the catheter are discarded, and the lower sample chamber and its contents are sent to a laboratory for analysis and culture.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1977Date of Patent: May 27, 1980Assignee: Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoInventors: Yeongchi Wu, Christopher A. Nowacki