Abstract: An exercise assist method includes receiving a user input signal comprising exercise setting information from an external device; measuring, based on the user input signal, a joint angle of a hip joint of a user wearing an exercise assist device configured to assist a user in performing a leg movement; and controlling torque of the exercise assist device to be applied to a leg of the user based on the measured joint angle and the exercise setting information.

Abstract: To support a movable arm attached to a base and rotatable around a movable rotation point relative to the base, a force-balancing support comprises an arm attachment connectable to the movable arm and at least rotatable around a center of rotation of which a position is movable relative to the base attachment. The support is attachable to the base with a base attachment at a distance from the arm attachment. The support has a cantilever mechanism which transfers force exerted on the arm attachment by the movable arm, when coupled thereto, to the base attachment. The cantilever mechanism has a fixed end attached to the base attachment and a free, arm-side, cantilever end movable, e.g. by suitable flexing. The arm attachment is suspended with respect to the base attachment at the free end.

Abstract: A knee extender device includes a central connecting portion, and a first support leg and a second support leg that each extend downwardly from the central connecting portion and that are positioned at an angle relative to each other. A terminal portion is attached to each support leg, with each terminal portion configured to be positioned against an upper leg or a lower leg of an individual. In use, as part of a method of rehabilitating a knee joint of an individual, the device is applied to a leg of the individual adjacent to and over the knee joint, and a cord or belt is extended over at least part of the central connecting portion and around a foot of the individual. Upon applying tension to the cord or belt, the knee extender device is then pushed downward to thereby extend the knee of the individual.

Abstract: An aortic stent-graft includes a main aortic stent-graft and a plurality of branch arterial stent-grafts. The main aortic stent-graft includes a proximal segment, a depressed segment, and a distal segment; steps are provided on a top surface of the depressed segment from left to right; one or two first orifices are formed on a middle-upper part of a right side wall of the proximal segment, and one or two second orifices are formed on a right side wall of the steps; a first inner chimney stent is fixed inside the first orifice and a second inner chimney stent is fixed inside the second orifice; the first inner chimney stent is sutured along an inner wall of the proximal segment, and the second inner chimney stent is sutured along an inner wall of the steps; and one of the branch arterial stent-grafts is placed inside each inner chimney stent.

Abstract: A soft wearable medical device may comprise a force actuation system at least partially disposed in a glove assembly. The force actuation system may be a passive or active actuation system. The force actuation system may be configured to adjust a grip of a patient during use of the soft wearable medical device. The soft wearable medical device may further comprise a force indication system including a plurality of force sensors and a light array, each force sensor disposed in a finger of the glove assembly and the light array mounted to the glove assembly.

Abstract: A tissue scaffold for use in a tendon and/or ligament is provided, which includes a weave formed by interlacing warp yarns and weft yarns, wherein the warp yarns include a plurality of fibers with an alternative shaped cross section structure, and the weave includes: a main body area with a bioactive component formed on the fiber surface, and a fixed area comprises the weft yarn having a bioceramic material. The tissue scaffold prepared in the present disclosure has the characteristics of stimulating the growth of tissues and inducing tissue repair, effectively improving the ability of tissue regeneration and bone healing, and is beneficial to the reconstruction of the tendon and/or ligament.

Abstract: A prosthetic socket, comprising a base for distal connection means for attaching a prosthesis component to the prosthetic socket and comprising at least one side wall, which extends from the base in the proximal direction and at least partially extends around a stump to be held in the prosthetic socket, and at least one support for fastening the side wall to the base being arranged on the base.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing optogenetics using X-rays or ultrasound waves are provided. Visible-light-emitting nanophosphors can be provided to a sample, and X-ray stimulation can be used to stimulate the nanophosphors to emit visible light. Alternatively, ultrasonic waves can be provided to the sample to cause sonoluminescence, also resulting in emission of visible light, and this can be aided by the use of a chemiluminescent agent present in the sample. The emitted light can trigger changes in proteins that modulate membrane potentials in neuronal cells.

Abstract: A lattice or solid structure for a medical device includes a first layer of first filaments discretely formed from at least one medical-grade silicone material. The first filaments are arranged in a predetermined pattern and may be directly adjacent to one another or spaced apart. Additional layers of filaments may be provided adjacent to the first layer, and chemically bonded thereto to form an integrated structure that is without interruption or with interstices therebetween.

Abstract: A method of using an ankle exoskeleton device is provided herein. The method includes collecting one or more biomechanical data points from an individual. The method also includes developing individualized musculoskeletal simulations based on the one or more biomechanical data points. In addition, the method includes creating predictive simulations by modeling effects of an ankle exoskeleton device on the individualized musculoskeletal simulations. The method also includes utilizing established device-user relationships with real-time measurements to adjust device control. Lastly, the method includes optimizing design parameters of the exoskeleton device based on the predictive simulations and user responses.

Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward prosthetic valves having leaflets of particular shapes that control bending character. In accordance with an embodiment, a prosthetic valve has a plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet includes a central region and two side regions on opposite sides of the central region. The central region is defined by a shape of an isosceles triangle defined by two central region sides, the leaflet base and the leaflet free edge, wherein the two central region sides converge from the leaflet base. Each of the two side regions has a shape of a triangle and each is defined by one of the central region sides, one of the leaflet sides, and the leaflet free edge.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device is disclosed. The exoskeleton device comprises a Bowden cable, a shank portion comprising a strut, and a foot portion coupled to the shank portion by a rotational joint. The foot portion comprises a heel lever and a pulley attached to the heel lever, wherein the strut of the shank portion is configured to redirect the Bowden cable toward the pulley, wherein the pulley is configured to redirect the Bowden cable back toward the shank portion, and wherein the Bowden cable is configured to generate torque by pulling the pulley. The exoskeleton device further comprises a midsole, wherein the midsole is releasably coupled to the lever, and wherein the midsole is configured to transmit force to a foot of a user.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treatment of bodily lumens and sphincters are disclosed. Some embodiments include methods and devices for inducing an inflammatory response and development of fibrosis, collagen, and/or scar tissue. In some embodiments, scaffolds may be composed of a matrix of filaments. Application of the methods and devices disclosed herein to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and other sphincter disorders are discussed. Biodegradable scaffolds configured to induce an inflammatory response are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treatment of bodily lumens and sphincters are disclosed. Some embodiments include methods and devices for inducing an inflammatory response and development of fibrosis, collagen, and/or scar tissue. In some embodiments, scaffolds may be composed of a matrix of filaments. Application of the methods and devices disclosed herein to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and other sphincter disorders are discussed. Biodegradable scaffolds configured to induce an inflammatory response are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus recognizes an exercise move of a user based on motion information of the user, determines torque reference information based on a result of the recognizing, determines torque command information based on the determined torque reference information and a predetermined factor, and outputs a torque based on the determined torque command information.

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 intraocular lens comprising an optic and four haptics extending from the optic, each haptic having a proximal end meeting with the optic at differing points about a periphery of the optic. The four haptics are arranged into a first pair comprising two arcuate haptics with curvature orientated toward each other such that a distal end of each of the two haptics of the first pair are in nearer relation than their proximal ends; and, a second pair comprising two arcuate haptics with curvature orientated toward each other such that a distal end of each of the two haptics of the second pair are in nearer relation than their proximal end.

Abstract: An assist device includes a first harness, a second harness, a belt body, an actuator and a controller. The controller is configured to perform operation control of the actuator. The controller is configured to, upon operation of the actuator being started in a state in which the first harness and the second harness is fitted to the user, perform winding of the belt body with a first winding force, and is configured to, upon the winding of the belt body being completed, change the winding force of the actuator to a second winding force that is smaller than the first winding force.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve has an annular frame including a plurality of strut members that is radially collapsible to a collapsed configuration and radially expandable to an expanded configuration. A leaflet structure is situated at least partially within the frame. The leaflet structure includes a plurality of leaflets, each leaflet having opposing commissure tab portions on opposite sides of the leaflet. Each commissure tab portion is paired with an adjacent commissure tab portion of an adjacent leaflet to form a commissure. The commissure tab portions of each leaflet are folded to form a plurality of layers positioned on the inside of the frame. A reinforcement member is positioned between the layers of each commissure tab portion.

Abstract: A gait motion assisting apparatus of the present invention can be connected to a knee-ankle-foot orthosis at three different positions in a vertical direction by upper, intermediate and lower connecting mechanisms. The intermediate connecting mechanism includes a ball stud arranged at the knee-ankle-foot orthosis extending outward in the user width direction on a brace-side pivot axis line X and an accommodation depression opened toward the knee-ankle-foot orthosis on the actuator-side pivot axis line Y so that the ball stud can be inserted thereinto. The accommodation depression is arranged at an innermost power-transmitting member among a driving arm and components of a transmission mechanism operatively transmitting rotational power from an electric motor to the driving arm.