Abstract: An artificial hand is provided. The artificial includes phalanges suitable to reproduce at least one finger, hinges hinging a first element identifying a phalanx to a second element identifying a second phalanx, and an implementation mechanism suitable to command a reciprocal rotation between the hinges defining a mutual rotation speed between the first and second element. The hinges define different damping coefficients so that, during a mutual rotation of the first and second element, they are subject to distinct damping forces opposing mutual rotation and proportional to the mutual rotation speed so as to vary the movement of the artificial hand as a function of the mutual rotation speed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein a system and a method to detect an amputee's hand muscles movements for controlling an artificial limb prosthesis. The system may comprise a plurality of passive tag positions and wearable band with a plurality of on-board position readers. The plurality of on-board position readers may be configured to capture data associated with a first plurality of passive tags positions at a first moment, and capture data associated with a second plurality of passive tags positions at a second moment. The system may further include one or more processors configured to detect at least one of the muscle contraction, the muscle relaxation, and the muscle inactivity based on the data captured at the first moment and at the second moment, and thereby control the artificial hand prosthesis movements responsive to detection at least one of the muscle contraction, the muscle relaxation, and the muscle inactivity.

Abstract: A link (1) for connecting two loops of a flexible tension-carrying construct (2, 2a). It solves the problem of providing effective means to connect two anchor points (7, 7a), typically on bones articulating at a joint by the flexible tension-carrying construct.

Abstract: A loading device for inserting a bushing into a through-aperture in a flexible wall or a cap, said bushing having flanges projecting transversely at each end thereof, said flanges being resiliently foldable towards the longitudinal axis of said bushing, said loading device comprising: an inserter rod, a pincher and a loading. When the inserter is pushed distally in an insertion direction, the bushing is forced towards the loading tube which will receive the bushing therein with said flanges folded and projecting substantially axially.

Abstract: An adjustable cranioplasty plate assembly is provided for use following a craniectomy. The assembly includes a ring which is attached to the skull around the skull opening and a plate adjustably mounted to the ring. The plate is moveable between a raised position spaced above the ring and a lower position substantially flush with the ring. The plurality of extendable and retractable struts extends between the ring and the plate to provide the plate adjustability. The plurality of stay cables extending between the ring and the plate provide lateral stability in the raised position. The assembly replaces the native bone and eliminates the need for subsequent cranioplasty surgery. In one embodiment, the plate includes a rigid central portion, three rigid mounting tabs, and a plurality of malleable tapered perimeter petals which provide a smooth interface between the plate and the skull of the patient.

Abstract: A middle ear prosthesis is made of a stiff deformable material and includes a planar head end with a central portion having a central diameter. The head end is adapted for engagement with a tympanic membrane from the middle ear of an implanted patient. An opposing pair of U-shaped stapes engagement legs bend down from the central portion so that an end distance between ends of the engagement legs is less than the central diameter. The engagement legs are adapted for adjustable length engagement with the stapes in the middle ear of the implanted patient. The head end and the engagement legs are adapted to transmit vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the stapes for perception as sound by the implanted patient.

Abstract: A suture securing assembly comprises a two-bodied anchor and an associated delivery system which enhances fixation of a micro anchor in a bone hole or tunnel, as well as improving suture lock within bone. Initially, the two bodies are separated by a length of an inner shaft of the delivery system. The proximal body is fixed on the inner shaft of the delivery system and cannot move relative to the handle until after insertion into the bone, when the delivery system is disengaged from the anchor. The distal body further includes expansion wings and/or other features for increasing suture lock within the bone hole.

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: A gait state determination apparatus includes: a foot attachment structure disposed in the walking assistance apparatus, the foot attachment structure to be attached to a foot of a user; a pressure detection device, disposed in the foot attachment structure, detecting a pressure exerted on a sole of the user; a pressure center calculation device successively calculating a center position of a pressure exerted on the sole during a gait motion of the user based on the pressure exerted on the sole detected by the pressure detection device; and motion determination device determining that it is a timing of a start of forward swinging of the leg to which the walking assistance apparatus is attached when the center position of the pressure calculated by the pressure center calculation devices is shifted from a position in a heel region of the sole to a toe region thereof, is disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthetic finger includes a main body and a terminal gripper at an end of the main body for enabling fine-motor grasping skills. The terminal gripper has at least two tongs movable relative to one another. The prosthetic finger includes a gripping mode and a flexion mode. In the gripping mode, the tongs of the terminal gripper are able to move relative to one another while the main body is not able to flex, and in the flexion mode, the main body is able to flex while the at two tongs is not able to move relative to one another.

Abstract: A urological medical device having a retrieval string is provided. The retrieval string has a proximal end connected the device and an opposed distal end. In a first embodiment, the retrieval string is configured in an initial confined form which, following a period of deployment in a patient's bladder, changes to an unconfined form in which the distal end of the retrieval string is extendible into the urethra to enable extraction of the device from bladder by pulling the retrieval string. The device may include a bioerodible component which permits the retrieval string to take the unconfined form following degradation of the bioerodible component in vivo. In another embodiment, the retrieval string includes a ferromagnetic material, which can be magnetically captured to facilitate removal of the device from the bladder. The ferromagnetic retrieval string may be buoyant in urine.

Abstract: An implant includes a hollow biocompatible shell, first and second electrodes, filling material, and circuitry. The hollow biocompatible shell is configured to be implanted in an organ of a patient. The first electrode is disposed inside the shell. The second electrode has at least one surface disposed outside the shell. The filling material, which includes carbon nanotubes (CNT), fills the shell and is configured, in response to a rupture occurring in the shell, to change a spatial orientation of the CNT and thus to cause a change in electrical conductivity of the filling material between the first electrode and the rupture. The circuitry is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes and is configured to detect the rupture by sensing the change in the electrical conductivity of the CNT, and to produce an output indicative of the detected rupture.

Abstract: Exosuit systems may be assistive, as it physically assists the wearer in performing particular activities, or can provide other functionality such as communication to the wearer through physical expressions to the body, engagement of the environment, or capturing of information from the wearer. In order to transmit assistance to the user of the exosuit, loads need to be translated by the exosuit. This is can be through the use of load distribution members. Load distribution members can be placed around the pelvis, waist, thighs, and other body parts.

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 method of augmenting a bladder including incising a native bladder to form an incised native bladder, implanting a tissue flap, which includes a bladder-expansion portion connected to a tubular portion; and suturing the bladder-expansion portion to an edge of the incised native bladder. The method forms an augmented bladder with a volume capacity that is 100%-250% larger than a volume capacity of the native bladder. The tissue flap may be a modified ileal segment or a biologically compatible tissue flap. The biologically compatible tissue flap having a biocompatible scaffold which includes a collagen mesh, which is coated by a biochemical factor, a cell derived matrix, and/or a synthetic biocompatible polymer. The biologically compatible tissue flap is configured with the bladder-expansion portion and a tubular portion.

Abstract: A cam system for an assistive device and related methods are disclosed. The cam system may comprise a cam profile and a cam follower. The cam profile has a curved outer edge comprising a concave portion. The cam follower is positioned within the concave portion when the assistive device is in an equilibrium position. The assistive device may further comprise a spring that deflects in response to a force applied by the cam system. The assistive device may have a sliding element to adjust the stiffness of the spring in deflection. The assistive device may take the form of a prosthesis or an orthosis.

Abstract: An osteo-implant is provided, having a fixing segment and an implant end. The fixing segment is provided with a thread and at least one bone healing chamber. The bone healing chamber is located at a thread root of the thread. The bone healing chamber is a chamber inwardly depressed from a surface of the fixing segment. The fixing segment has a central axis. In the same section of the fixing segment, an area of a section, which is parallel to and passes through the central axis, of the at least one bone healing chamber closer to the implant end is smaller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for prosthetic device control with a unified virtual constraint that controls an entire gait cycle of the prosthetic device.

Abstract: This disclosure features artificial tympanic membrane graft devices and two-component bilayer graft devices that include a scaffold having a plurality of ribs made of a first material and a plurality of spaces between the ribs filled or made with the first material, a different, second material, a combination of the first and a second materials, or a combination of a second material and one or more other different materials. The bilayer graft devices have two components or layers. One component, e.g., the underlay graft device, can include a projection, and the second component, e.g., the overlay graft device, can include an opening that corresponds to the projection (or vice versa) so that the opening and the projection can secure the two layers together in a “lock and key” manner. This disclosure also features methods of making, using, and implanting the three-dimensional artificial tympanic membrane and bilayer graft devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an acetabular defect reconstructive prosthesis, comprising: an iliac support, the iliac support including a support seat (11) and a connecting wing plate (12) provided on the support seat (11), and the support seat (11) being contacted and matched with an ilium (1); and an acetabular cup (20) rotatably connected with the support seat (11) together. The technical solutions of the present disclosure can effectively solve the problems of reconstruction and long-term stability of a peri-acetabular defect in the related technology.