Abstract: A system and method for a compliant four-bar linkage mechanism for a robotic finger that includes: a monolithic bone structure comprised of a compliant joint region and an input link segment and a coupler link segment, wherein the input link segment and the coupler link segment are connected through the compliant joint; an output link; a ground structure; wherein the monolithic bone structure, output link, and ground structure are connected through a set of joints in a configuration of a compliant four-bar linkage mechanism which comprises: the output link on a first end and the coupler link segment connected through an output joint, the output link on a second end connected to a ground joint on the ground structure, and the monolithic bone structure connected to an input joint connected to the ground structure; and an actuation input coupled to the input joint.

Abstract: A haptic stimulator includes a multilayer sheet with a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer layer adapted to mechanically deform upon application of voltage, the multilayer sheet secured to a substrate, and a source of electrical stimulation coupled to drive electrodes on the polymer layer with an AC signal to vibrate the polymer layer. In particular embodiments, the polymer contains polyvinylidene fluoride, and electrodes are patterned to control local electric fields. Another haptic stimulator has first and second electrodes with an air gap and an insulating sheet between first and second electrodes, with an AC voltage driver connecting to the electrodes. In a method of providing haptic stimulation to skin an alternating current supply drives first and second electrodes, the electrodes disposed upon either a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer sheet, vibrating the polymer layer by driving the electrodes; and coupling vibrations of the polymer layer to the sensate skin.

Abstract: A hand-held device is used to deliver and hydrate a temporary polymeric implant having a length, an outer surface and a cross-section, with a disruptable cover over the implant. A lumen may pass through the entire length, the lumen having a surface forming an equivalent diameter in the polymeric stent. The temporary polymeric implant includes a first aqueous-swellable, biocompatible and biodegradable composition (e.g., polymer) having a thickness. The aqueous-swellable and biodegradable polymer retaining structural integrity for at least 1 hours up to thirty days when swollen and kept moist by a moist aqueous environment. Barrier layers of biodegradable polymer(s) may be used to prevent migration of liquids into the lumen.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for non-continuous rotation (cogging-torque actuator (CTA)) (100) comprises a support structure (116), an output shaft (104) rotatable about and defining an axis of rotation (X), a permanent magnet rotor (106) comprising at least two magnetic poles (108a, 108b) attached to the output shaft (104), and a stator device (110) comprising a ferromagnetic pole body (112) attached to the support structure (116) and surrounding the at least two magnetic poles (108a, 108b). The ferromagnetic pole body (112) can have at least four ferromagnetic stator poles (112a-d) each wrapped in a conductive wire (114a-d) to define a stator coil. The at least four ferromagnetic stator poles (112a-d) are sized, and spaced radially from each other, so as to define a maximum cogging torque of the electromagnetic actuator (100). The CTA (100) can operate as an actuator, an elastic spring, a clutch, and/or a load support device.

Abstract: An intraocular lens has an upper surface and a lower surface, and comprising an optic portion, and at least one haptic portion connected to the optic portion and extending outward from the optic portion, and a channel disposed in the intraocular lens and having a first end being disposed in the optic portion and a second end disposed in the haptic portion. The channel extends generally radially outward from the optic portion into the haptic portion and is generally linear in a radial direction, but can have some curvature if desired. The channel is open to a top surface of the optic portion and haptic portion along the length of the channel or is disposed below the top surface of the optic portion and haptic portion, with openings in the top surface of the optic portion and haptic portion on each end of the channel.

Abstract: An actuator unit of the present invention includes upper and lower frames respectively connectable to a thigh frame and a lower leg frame, an actuator-side rotational connecting part connecting both frames in a rotatable manner around a pivot axis, a driver producing driving force for rotating the lower frame around the pivot axis, upper and lower connecting bodies respectively connecting the upper frame to the thigh frame and the lower frame to the lower leg frame, and an intermediate connecting body connecting the vicinity of the actuator-side rotational connecting part to the vicinity of a brace-side rotational connecting part, the intermediate connecting body having a ball stud and an accommodation depression respectively provided on one and the other of the knee-ankle-foot orthosis and the actuator unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a powered, robotic exoskeleton, or exosuit, for a user's limbs and body are provided. The exosuit may be equipped with airbag devices mounted at various locations on the suit. The exosuit may include on-board computing equipment that can sense, compute control commands in real-time, and actuate limbs and airbags to restore stability (fall prevention) and minimize injuries due to falls, should they happen (fall protection).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing a motion of a user are provided. The apparatus may map each of right leg angle information and left leg angle information to context information by comparing each of the right leg angle information and left leg angle information to a comparison value and/or preset threshold, may generate a motion event corresponding to the context information based on a criterion, and may recognize the motion of the user based on the motion event and a previous motion of the user.

Abstract: A leg brace configured to be attached to a leg of a user, includes a rear thigh link extending along a thigh of the user, and a lower-leg link rotatably connected to the rear thigh link and extending along a lower leg of the user. A handle is provided in the thigh link, the handle being configured to project forward when the user is in the sitting position. The rear thigh link and the lower-leg link are connected to each other near the knee joint of the user. Specifically, the rear thigh link and the lower-leg link are connected to each other at a rear connection part disposed near the knee joint. Further, the rear thigh link and the handle are also connected to each other near the knee joint.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot has a frame, a forefoot keel, a heel keel, and an adjustable spring member. The frame couples to a prosthetic leg. The forefoot keel includes a first resilient substrate extending from the frame to the anterior end of the foot. The heel keel member includes a second resilient substrate extending from the frame to the posterior end. The first and second resilient substrates are load bearing substrates for a walking human. The adjustable spring member includes a third resilient substrate and a brake. The third resilient substrate has a first end directly or indirectly coupled to the brake, and a second end coupled to the forefoot keel proximate to the anterior end. The third resilient substrate extends through or around the first resilient member and the second resilient member. The brake provides resistance to the travel of the first end of the third resilient substrate in the superior direction.

Abstract: An exosuit includes a first structure including a series of link elements joined together by joints. The series of link elements extends along a length of the first structure. The joints are configured to flex such that, when the exosuit is worn by a user, the first structure at least partially conforms to a shape of the user's anatomy at a first side of the first structure that extends along the length. The joints restrict flexing that would deform a second side of the first structure extending along the length of the first structure. The exosuit includes a second structure and an actuator coupled to the first structure and the second structure. The actuator causes movement of the first structure relative to the second structure. The exosuit includes an attachment portion to attach the exosuit to the user with the first side of the first structure facing toward the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a three-lens IOL system including a first, anterior lens, a second, posterior lens rigidly connected to the first lens by at least one rigid member such that the second lens is a fixed distance from the first lens along an axis, a third, center, moveable lens positioned between the first lens and the second lens and adapted to move linearly along the axis anteriorly in a direction of the first lens or posteriorly in a direction of the second lens to change an optical power of the system, and an articulating actuator that contacts the moveable lens and a capsular bag of an eye when the IOL system is implanted in the capsular bag, the articulating actuator adapted to move the moveable lens linearly along the axis.

Abstract: A multifocal IOL including at least one diffractive surface including a plurality of discrete, adjacent, diffractive, concentric rings, having a radial phase profile cross-section with a near-symmetrical diffractive surface topography, and an odd number, greater than three, of diffractive orders and an asymmetrical distribution of energy flux over the diffractive orders.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens assembly can include a first lens, a first stanchion, a second lens, and a second stanchion. The first lens can have a first anterior side and a first posterior side. The first stanchion can have a first distal end connected to the first lens and a first base end. The second lens can have a second anterior side and a second posterior side. The second stanchion can have a second distal end connected to the second lens and a second base end. The first lens and the second lens can move laterally relative to one another during contraction of the ciliary muscle in a vertically-extending plane containing the optic axis of the eye and substantially centered in the eye.

Abstract: The wearable gravity compensation apparatus capable of multiple degrees of freedom of movement according to an example embodiment includes a main frame configured to be fixable to a back of a user, a base link rotatably connected to the main frame around a first rotation axis, a front extension link having one end rotatably connected to the base link around a second rotation axis intersecting the first rotation axis, the front extension link extending to a front of the base link, a rear extension link connected to the base link, the rear extension link extending to a rear of the base link, a guide positioned above the base link, the guide provided on the main frame, a slider configured to be slidable along the guide, a gravity compensation elastic member having one end fixed to the main frame, and the other end fixed to the slider.

Abstract: Devices and methods for inserting an implant into skin or other tissue of a patient can include a hyaluronic thread coupled with an insertion device that can provide a supportive enclosure for the thread as it is injected into a patient's skin or other tissue. The device can include a moveable member and laterally extending portions, a closed distal portion, and an inner cavity so that the thread can be positioned within the inner cavity and extend along the moveable member. The laterally extending portions can move, relative to the thread, to expose the thread. In use, the moveable member is insertable into a patient and at least a portion of the moveable member is configured to move within a patient to expose the thread.

Abstract: A multifocal IOL including at least one diffractive surface including a plurality of discrete, adjacent, diffractive, concentric rings, having a radial phase profile cross-section with a near-symmetrical diffractive surface topography, and an odd number, greater than three, of diffractive orders and an asymmetrical distribution of energy flux over the diffractive orders.

Abstract: An assist device includes a first worn component worn on at least one of a shoulder and a chest of a user, a second worn component worn on one of a hip and a pair of right and left legs of the user, a belt member provided along a back side of the user over the first worn component and the second worn component, an actuator provided on one of the first worn component and the second worn component, a position detection unit configured to obtain a position parameter indicating a position of the user, and a controller configured to obtain a required output in a direction to wind up the belt member from the actuator based on the position parameter and configured to control operation of the actuator.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a hip joint link apparatus including: an upper body link fixed to an upper body of a wearable robot, and a hip joint jointer linking a thigh link linked to a thigh of the wearable robot, wherein the hip joint jointer has a four-revolute joint structure including a plurality of revolute joints and a plurality of links; an arbitrary input moment to the hip joint jointer is changed to an output moment in a predetermined direction based on a state of being transmitted to the plurality of links through the plurality of revolute joints; and the hip joint jointer assists a flexion moment, an extension moment, an abduction moment, and an adduction moment.

Abstract: A method of inserting an intraocular optic assembly having at least an optic and ring members that are interconnected to one another with a plurality of stanchions can include winding at least one of the structures relative to at least another one of the other structures about a central optic axis whereby at least some of the stanchions are drawn around an intermediate or middle ring member and in between the optic and an outer ring member. The method can also include folding, after the winding, the intraocular optic assembly in half while retaining the at least some of the plurality of stanchions in between the optic and the outer ring member. The method can also include inserting, after the folding, the intraocular optic assembly in an eye through a slit in a cornea of the eye.