Abstract: An artificial joint for lower extremities, comprising an upper part, which has mechanisms for attaching to a user, and a lower part mounted thereon in a pivotal manner about a joint axis. The lower part can be bent in from an extended position into a flexed position. A force accumulator is associated with the joint and is loaded via a force transmission mechanism through a flexing movement of the upper part relative to the lower part and supports an extension movement of the lower part relative to the upper part at least over a part of the extension movement. The force transmission device exerts a maximum moment of extension at a bending angle between 45° to 80°.

Abstract: A laminate useful as a component of a medical implant, for example, useful as a component of an inflatable tissue expander. The laminate includes a base layer, an intermediate layer, and a top layer. When used as a component of a tissue expander, the laminate enables an internal chamber pressure of about 2.5 psi with an expander exterior compressive force of about 40 lbs.

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: The present invention relates to a an attachment device for attaching a prosthesis to a bone, comprising: a base plate having an extension in an xy-plane; a first holder for holding a first abutment; a second holder for holding a second abutment; a locking plate attached to the base plate to restrict movement of the holders in a z-direction away from the base plate. The locking plate is configured to allow rotation of the first and second holder around a z-axis perpendicular to the xy-plane. The locking plate and the base plate is configured to allow movement of the first holder along the x-direction and to prevent movement the y-direction and to prevent movement of the second holder in the x- and y-direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for sensor systems. In one embodiment, a system may include an implantable component and an external component. The implantable component may comprise a housing and an electrode array configured to receive a plurality of biopotential signals. The housing may comprise a wireless power receiver and a wireless data transmitter to transmit representations of the biopotential signals. The external component may comprise a wireless data receiver configured to receive the plurality of digital representations of the biopotential signals and a wireless power transmitter configured to provide power to the internal component. A shielding component may separate the wireless power transmitter from the wireless data receiver. An interface may be configured to communicate with a prosthesis and configured to cause the prosthesis to implement a voluntary motion based on the plurality of digital presentations of the biopotential signals.

Abstract: A standing motion assist device includes a support mechanism attached to a leg of a user to assist the user with motion, a sensor including first and/or second sensors that measure and output posture information and myoelectric potentials of the user, respectively, the sensor outputting measurement data including first measurement data measured after a sitting motion of the user sitting in a chair starts and second measurement data measured after the sitting motion ends, a memory that stores the measurement data, and a processor that controls the support mechanism. The processor detects the sitting motion and identifies the chair type based on the first measurement data, detects the start of a motion of the user standing from the chair based on the second measurement data, and outputs assist information corresponding to the identified chair type and used by the support mechanism to assist the user with standing.

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 cover member, a base, and a thread. The cover member can have a proximal portion, a closed distal portion, and an inner cavity extending from the proximal portion toward the closed distal portion. The thread can be positioned within the inner cavity and extend from the base toward the closed distal portion. The base can be removably coupled to the proximal portion of the cover member. In use, the cover member is insertable into a patient and separable from the base to expose the thread.

Abstract: Provided are an assistance device, an assistance garment, and an assistance method that enable easy replacement of a part of structure, suppression of fatigue of a wearer, and reduction of a load in an action of the wearer, without requiring time and effort for putting on and taking off. An assistance device 1 is provided on a garment and reduces a load in an action of a wearer 5. The assistance device 1 is provided with an assisting part 10 that is replaceable and applies force for assisting the an action to the body of the wearer 5 by changing flexibility, and an assist-control part 12 that controls the flexibility.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for performing ossicular reconstructions. An exemplary ossicular reconstruction system may include one or more adjustable prosthetic devices and micro-measuring devices. The adjustable prosthetic devices may be adjusted in terms of length, angulation, or both.

Abstract: The robotic gripping assist (“RGA”) provides a user with additional grip strength by supporting and forcefully pushing a user's fingers and hand to a gripping position. Motors are supported on a user's forearm and act as a source for the forced movement. A flexible member is worn on the back of a user's hand. The motors individually draw in or let out wires that cause the flexible member to move from a gripping to non-gripping position, and may pivot the flexible member laterally to provide for ulnar and radial wrist flexion. By bending the flexible member downward, through reeling in wires below the member, the attached fingers of the user are forced into a gripping position. Lateral movement is provided by reeling in the wires on the side of the intended bending direction.

Abstract: Implantable splinting devices for supporting a passageway defect in a patient that is formed from one or more support structures including a polymer or a polymer and acellularized tissue matrix that define a structural component that substantially conforms to a defective passageway of the patient. The structural component also has a plurality of pores. The implantable splinting device is capable of being placed around a trachea, a bronchi, an esophagus and a blood vessel of a patient. The implantable splinting device may also be configured for placement between the trachea, and the esophagus of a patient.

Abstract: A prosthetic or exoskeleton component for a prosthesis or exoskeleton includes a shock-absorbing unit. The shock-absorbing unit contains a damping device that can be controlled by way of a control device. A detection device has a sensor unit for receiving a signal. The detection device is configured to detect uneven ground depending on the acquired signal and to control the damping device in response to the detected uneven ground such that a damping property of the damping device can be adjusted on the basis of a signal of the detection device.

Abstract: A dual purpose prosthetic foot system enables a person to use the same prosthetic to either walk or swim. The foot part is joined at the ankle and can be locking in either a walking position or a swimming position. The foot allows common swimming equipment such as flippers to be attached.

Abstract: Devices and methods for inserting an implant into skin or other tissue of a patient can include an insertion device that can enclose and support a hyaluronic thread as it is injected into a patient's skin or other tissue. The device can include a cover member, a non-tubular support member, and the thread. The cover member can have a proximal portion, a closed distal portion, and an inner cavity extending from the proximal portion toward the closed distal portion. The thread can be positioned along a longitudinal length of support member, between the support member and the cover member. The non-tubular support member can extend within the inner cavity of the cover member. The cover member can be moveable relative to the support member to expose the thread.

Abstract: Implantable device embodiments, such as stents, and particularly esophageal stents, formed of a scaffolding structure are disclosed. The scaffolding structure is formed of one or more strand elements arranged in a braided pattern. A covering may coat the scaffolding structure. A valve can be secured to the scaffolding structure and/or the covering. Anti-migration features may be formed by bends in the one or more strand elements. The bends forming the anti-migration features protrude outwardly away from an outer surface of the implantable device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an external breast prosthesis (1), including an envelope (2) of flexible material with a breast shape, the envelope defining an internal cavity (6) closed by a protective lid (3) of which one face, called the external face (4), is designed to be pressed against the chest of a person, the cavity enclosing a filler and a weighted element intended to adjust the weight of the prosthesis. The weighted element is in the form of a plurality of ballast elements (7) which are distributed along a sagittal axis of the prosthesis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the protective lid.

Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates a prosthetic foot that may reduce snagging on external obstacles. In some embodiments, a prosthetic foot includes a symmetric wear member that is rotatable to allow a user to alter an orientation of the symmetric wear member for even wear. A cuff may couple to the symmetric wear member, and include the proximal end comprising a receptacle with an opening having an adjustable diameter. The receptacle may be sized and shaped to receive and selectively retain the prosthesis pylon by adjusting the diameter of the opening. The prosthetic foot may further include a vertical adjustment mechanism that selectively alters a depth of the receptacle of the cuff to vertically displace the prosthesis pylon.

Abstract: A movement assistance device is provided with thigh frames, lower leg frames, and knee joint mechanisms which are disposed on the outer side and the inner side, respectively, of each knee of a person to be assisted. Each of the thigh frames has a first main frame, which extends in the longitudinal direction of a thigh from a base disposed on one side of the hip of the person to be assisted to the outer knee joint mechanism, a second main frame, which obliquely extends on the front side of the thigh from the base to the inner knee joint mechanism, and a body support member, which is extended between the two main frames on the rear surface side of the thigh.

Abstract: A hybrid medical device that can aid in reconstructive or augmentative surgery of the breast is disclosed. The device can utilize a suitable biological collagen tissue matrix combined with a synthetic material, for example, that can impart a high initial strength to the repair site while permitting proper healing and revitalization of the implanted device.

Abstract: An example medical device is disclosed. The example medical device includes a tubular scaffold. The scaffold includes a longitudinal axis, an inner surface and an outer surface. The medical device also includes a flexible valve extending radially inward from the inner surface of the scaffold. The valve includes an annular chamber extending circumferentially around the inner surface of the scaffold and is configured to shift from a closed configuration to an open configuration.