Abstract: Disclosed is a method for initiating startup of a rocket engine configured to run on a liquid fuel and liquid hydrogen peroxide, including the steps of: initially decomposing the liquid hydrogen peroxide by passing the liquid hydrogen peroxide through a catalyst bed; passing decomposition products from the catalyst bed to a reaction chamber of the rocket engine and mixing the decomposition products with the liquid fuel to initiate detonation. Once detonation is initiated, the liquid H2O2 and liquid fuel are passed directly to a reaction chamber of the rocket, bypassing the catalyst bed. A rocket system includes a rocket engine having an initial ignition circuit having a catalyst bed sized to support decomposition of liquid H2O2 for initial reaction with the liquid fuel. The rocket engine, upon initial ignition, is configured to run on liquid fuel and liquid H2O2 without first passing the liquid H2O2 through the catalyst bed.

Abstract: A haptic perception system for a hand prosthesis. The haptic perception system includes a stereognosis unit, a proprioception unit, and one or more processors. The stereognosis unit includes a plurality of pressure sensors attached onto an external surface of the hand prosthesis, a plurality of passive magnetic tags embedded in a hypoderm tissue of a residual limb of the amputee, and a plurality of electromagnetic coils attached onto a skin of the residual limb of the amputee. When a first electromagnetic coil is activated, a first passive magnetic tag moves toward the first electromagnetic coil and, to thereby, stimulates pressure sensory receptors present in the hypoderm tissue of the residual limb.

Abstract: An external orthopedic fixation device. The external orthopedic device includes a radius fixing member, a metacarpus fixing member, and a coupling member. The radius fixing member is configured to be secured to a radius bone of a patient. The metacarpus fixing member is configured to be secured to a metacarpus bone of the patient. The coupling member is disposed between the radius fixing member and the metacarpus fixing member. The coupling member is configured to connect the radius fixing member and the metacarpus fixing member.

Abstract: Embodiments include apparatuses, systems and methods for a computer device with a casing and a substance in the casing substantially surrounding a computer component in the casing. In embodiments, the computer device may be a command and control computer, such as for example, an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. In embodiments, the substance may be an electrically isolative and shear-thickening fluid to provide thermo-mechanical protection to a computer component. In the described embodiments, the substance may dampen mechanical shock or vibrational impact on the processor and the memory. The shear-thickening gel may further be thermally conductive in embodiments. In the embodiments, the casing may be substantially filled with the substance and the substance is to conduct heat away from the processor and the memory toward an outer edge of the casing. Other embodiments may also be described and claimed.

Abstract: A prosthesis to replace a flexor tendon pulley. The prosthesis comprises a tendon holding member with a hollow cylindrical shape and a connecting plate attached to the tendon holding member. The tendon holding member is configured to receive and hold a tendon of the human hand. The connecting plate is configured to be attached to a phalange of the human hand. The tendon holding member comprises an outer layer on an outer surface of the tendon holding member and an inner layer on an inner surface of the tendon holding member. The outer layer comprises hydroxyapatite to secure the tendon holding member to the surrounding tissues. The inner layer comprises of hyaluronic acid to secure the tendon holding member to the surrounding tissues.

Abstract: Embodiments include apparatuses, systems and methods for a computer device with a casing and a substance in the casing substantially surrounding a computer component in the casing. In embodiments, the computer device may be a command and control computer, such as for example, an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. In embodiments, the substance may be an electrically isolative and shear-thickening fluid to provide thermo-mechanical protection to a computer component. In the described embodiments, the substance may dampen mechanical shock or vibrational impact on the processor and the memory. The shear-thickening gel may further be thermally conductive in embodiments. In the embodiments, the casing may be substantially filled with the substance and the substance is to conduct heat away from the processor and the memory toward an outer edge of the casing. Other embodiments may also be described and claimed.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for fillet punch creep testing of a small specimen comprises, in one implementation, a testing unit secured to a top end and a bottom end of a structural support unit, and configured to conduct creep testing on a specimen. The testing unit includes a loading unit, a fillet punch unit, a thermal unit, and a measuring unit. A filleted punch of the fillet punch unit transfers an applied pressure from the loading unit to the specimen clamped between an upper die and a filleted lower die of the fillet punch unit while the thermal unit surrounds the fillet punch unit, and heats the specimen during testing. The optimized filleted edges on the filleted punch and the filleted lower die eliminate stress concentration against the specimen resulting in stable measurements, and thus, reduce the dispersion of applied load during creep testing.

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: An external orthopedic fixation device. The external orthopedic device includes a radius fixing member, a metacarpus fixing member, and a coupling member. The radius fixing member is configured to be secured to a radius bone of a patient. The metacarpus fixing member is configured to be secured to a metacarpus bone of the patient. The coupling member is disposed between the radius fixing member and the metacarpus fixing member. The coupling member is configured to connect the radius fixing member and the metacarpus fixing member.

Abstract: A method and a device for replacing radioulnar joint are disclosed. The method may include inserting a distal stem into a distal part of the ulna bone, and inserting a proximal stem into the proximal part of the ulna bone. In addition, the method may include inserting a stem insertion part located at a proximal end of a mobile locker into the cylindrical-shaped opening of the proximal stem. The method further includes twisting the mobile locker so that the first semicircle-shaped opening and the second semicircle-shaped opening are aligned such that a spherical cavity is formed between the mobile locker, and inserting a mobile globe into the spherical cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a fracture fixation device and method for treatment of a bone fracture. The fracture fixation device includes a main body having a recess formed therein, and a compression element is configured to be received in the recess. The compression element has a passage dimensioned to receive a fracture fixation pin. A compressive force is generated across the bone fracture upon the compression element receiving the fracture fixation pin to promote healing of the bone fracture. The fracture fixation device is an external fixator that provides adjustable aspects of compression, rotation, and length in a simple design that facilitates bone healing by compression.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for fillet punch creep testing of a small specimen comprises, in one implementation, a testing unit secured to a top end and a bottom end of a structural support unit, and configured to conduct creep testing on a specimen. The testing unit includes a loading unit, a fillet punch unit, a thermal unit, and a measuring unit. A filleted punch of the fillet punch unit transfers an applied pressure from the loading unit to the specimen clamped between an upper die and a filleted lower die of the fillet punch unit while the thermal unit surrounds the fillet punch unit, and heats the specimen during testing. The optimized filleted edges on the filleted punch and the filleted lower die eliminate stress concentration against the specimen resulting in stable measurements, and thus, reduce the dispersion of applied load during creep testing.

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 method and a device for replacing radioulnar joint are disclosed. The method may include inserting a distal stem into a distal part of the ulna bone, and inserting a proximal stem into the proximal part of the ulna bone. In addition, the method may include inserting a stem insertion part located at a proximal end of a mobile locker into the cylindrical-shaped opening of the proximal stem. The method further includes twisting the mobile locker so that the first semicircle-shaped opening and the second semicircle-shaped opening are aligned such that a spherical cavity is formed between the mobile locker, and inserting a mobile globe into the spherical cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a fracture fixation device and method for treatment of a bone fracture. The fracture fixation device includes a main body having a recess formed therein, and a compression element is configured to be received in the recess. The compression element has a passage dimensioned to receive a fracture fixation pin. A compressive force is generated across the bone fracture upon the compression element receiving the fracture fixation pin to promote healing of the bone fracture. The fracture fixation device is an external fixator that provides adjustable aspects of compression, rotation, and length in a simple design that facilitates bone healing by compression.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for balancing a combined assembly of a driveshaft and axle. The apparatus includes a fixture for supporting the driveshaft and axle assembly in vehicle position. The rear axle is supported using the attachments where the axle is mounted to the motor vehicle. The assembly is rotated and a sensor detects vibrations. An imbalance calculator determines a weight to be added to the driveline to correct the imbalance.