Patents by Inventor Andrew H. Hansen

Andrew H. Hansen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9795522
    Abstract: A manual wheelchair including a collapsible frame having a first lateral member that is connected to first and second braces at their respective first ends. A drive wheel axel extends along a first axis of rotation and engages a drive wheel, the first brace, and a portion of a transmission. A push rim axel extends along a second axis of rotation and engages a push rim wheel, the second brace, and a portion of the transmission, which transmits rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. The collapsible frame additionally includes a second lateral member that is connected to the first and second braces as their respective second ends. The first and second braces are configured to release the second lateral member to collapse the manual wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    Inventors: Andrew H. Hansen, Gary D. Goldish, Eric Nickel
  • Patent number: 9757255
    Abstract: Pump systems for use in suspension of a prosthetic device from a residual limb and methods of suspending a prosthetic device from a residual limb are disclosed. The pump systems include a mechanically activated pump having a first compression member coupled to a second compression member, a compressible bladder disposed between the first and second compression members, and coupling elements that engage and couple together the first and second compression members. The mechanically activated pump may be connected with an electrically activated pump within a fluid circuit of a hybrid pump system to provide vacuum engagement between a prosthetic device and a residual limb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Ryan J. Caldwell, Andrew H. Hansen, Sean M. Wood, Wei Chen, Regan A. Radcliffe, Kevin A. Yngve, Bennett E. Kuhar, Andrew J. Nelson, Eric Nickel
  • Publication number: 20170156894
    Abstract: An ankle-foot prosthesis includes a foot plate, an ankle frame attached to the foot plate, a yoke pivotally connected to the ankle frame and including a member for attaching to a leg, a damper having a first end connected to the yoke and a second end connected to the ankle frame, and a control mechanism for switching the damper between low and high settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicants: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Andrew H. HANSEN, Eric A. NICKEL
  • Publication number: 20170071761
    Abstract: An ankle-foot prosthesis includes a foot plate, an ankle frame attached to the foot plate, a yoke pivotally connected to the ankle frame and including a member for attaching to a leg, a damper having a first end connected to the yoke and a second end connected to the ankle frame, and a control mechanism for switching the damper between low and high settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicants: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Andrew H. HANSEN, Eric A. NICKEL
  • Patent number: 9549827
    Abstract: An ankle-foot prosthesis includes a foot plate, an ankle frame attached to the foot plate, a yoke pivotally connected to the ankle frame and including a member for attaching to a leg, a damper having a first end connected to the yoke and a second end connected to the ankle frame, and a control mechanism for switching the damper between low and high settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, REGENTS OF THE UNIVERISTY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Andrew H. Hansen, Eric A. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20170007477
    Abstract: A manual wheelchair including a collapsible frame having a first lateral member that is connected to first and second braces at their respective first ends. A drive wheel axel extends along a first axis of rotation and engages a drive wheel, the first brace, and a portion of a transmission. A push rim axel extends along a second axis of rotation and engages a push rim wheel, the second brace, and a portion of the transmission, which transmits rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. The collapsible frame additionally includes a second lateral member that is connected to the first and second braces as their respective second ends. The first and second braces are configured to release the second lateral member to collapse the manual wheelchair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew H. HANSEN, Gary D. GOLDISH, Eric NICKEL
  • Publication number: 20170007476
    Abstract: A manual wheelchair including a collapsible frame having a first lateral member that is connected to first and second braces at their respective first ends. A drive wheel axel extends along a first axis of rotation and engages a drive wheel, the first brace, and a portion of a transmission. A push rim axel extends along a second axis of rotation and engages a push rim wheel, the second brace, and a portion of the transmission, which transmits rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. The collapsible frame additionally includes a second lateral member that is connected to the first and second braces as their respective second ends. The first and second braces are configured to release the second lateral member to collapse the manual wheelchair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew H. HANSEN, Gary D. GOLDISH
  • Patent number: 9445958
    Abstract: A manual wheelchair including a frame, a drive wheel connected to the frame, having a first axis of rotation and configured to rotate relative to the frame, a push rim connected to the frame, having a second axis of rotation extending substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel and configured to rotate relative to the frame, wherein the second axis of rotation of the push rim is offset from the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel in a direction orthogonal to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel, and a transmission configured to transmit rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. Additionally, the wheelchair may also include multispeed fixed-gear hubs for propulsion on different terrain and removable or rotatable push rims for easier transfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAM
    Inventors: Andrew H. Hansen, Gary D. Goldish
  • Publication number: 20160038355
    Abstract: A manual wheelchair including a frame, a drive wheel connected to the frame, having a first axis of rotation and configured to rotate relative to the frame, a push rim connected to the frame, having a second axis of rotation extending substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel and configured to rotate relative to the frame, wherein the second axis of rotation of the push rim is offset from the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel in a direction orthogonal to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel, and a transmission configured to transmit rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. Additionally, the wheelchair may also include multispeed fixed-gear hubs for propulsion on different terrain and removable or rotatable push rims for easier transfers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew H. HANSEN, Gary D. GOLDISH
  • Patent number: 9204979
    Abstract: The present invention relates in the field of orthopedics to an artificial ankle which imitates the natural human gait in a proper way, thereby enabling its user to walk not only in a plane environment but also uphill and downhill without any unpleasant effects. The present invention further relates to an artificial foot and an artificial leg containing said artificial ankle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: FALZ & KANNENBERG GMBH & CO. KG, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Felix Starker, Urs Schneider, Andrew H. Hansen, Dudley S. Childress, Joachim Pauli, Carsten Pauli, Nancy Childress
  • Publication number: 20150265436
    Abstract: Pump systems for use in suspension of a prosthetic device from a residual limb and methods of suspending a prosthetic device from a residual limb are disclosed. The pump systems include a mechanically activated pump having a first compression member coupled to a second compression member, a compressible bladder disposed between the first and second compression members, and coupling elements that engage and couple together the first and second compression members. The mechanically activated pump may be connected with an electrically activated pump within a fluid circuit of a hybrid pump system to provide vacuum engagement between a prosthetic device and a residual limb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Ryan J. Caldwell, Andrew H. Hansen, Sean M. Wood, Wei Chen, Regan A. Radcliffe, Kevin A. Yngve, Bennett E. Kuhar, Andrew J. Nelson, Eric Nickel
  • Publication number: 20150265435
    Abstract: Pump systems for use in suspension of a prosthetic device from a residual limb and methods of suspending a prosthetic device from a residual limb are disclosed. The pump systems include a mechanically activated pump having a first compression member coupled to a second compression member, a compressible bladder disposed between the first and second compression members, and coupling elements that engage and couple together the first and second compression members. The mechanically activated pump may be connected with an electrically activated pump within a fluid circuit of a hybrid pump system to provide vacuum engagement between a prosthetic device and a residual limb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ryan J. Caldwell, Andrew H. Hansen, Sean M. Wood, Wei Chen, Regan A. Radcliffe, Kevin A. Yngve, Bennett E. Kuhar, Andrew J. Nelson, Eric Nickel
  • Patent number: 9066822
    Abstract: Pump systems for use in suspension of a prosthetic device from a residual limb and methods of suspending a prosthetic device from a residual limb are disclosed. The pump systems include a mechanically activated pump having a first compression member coupled to a second compression member, a compressible bladder disposed between the first and second compression members, and coupling elements that engage and couple together the first and second compression members. The mechanically activated pump may be connected with an electrically activated pump within a fluid circuit of a hybrid pump system to provide vacuum engagement between a prosthetic device and a residual limb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ryan J. Caldwell, Andrew H. Hansen, Sean M. Wood, Wei Chen, Regan A. Radcliffe, Kevin A. Yngve, Bennett E. Kuhar, Andrew J. Nelson, Eric Nickel
  • Patent number: 8905421
    Abstract: A manual wheelchair including a frame, a drive wheel connected to the frame, having a first axis of rotation and configured to rotate relative to the frame, a push rim connected to the frame, having a second axis of rotation extending substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel and configured to rotate relative to the frame, wherein the second axis of rotation of the push rim is offset from the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel in a direction orthogonal to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel, and a transmission configured to transmit rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. Additionally, the wheelchair may also include multispeed fixed-gear hubs for propulsion on different terrain and removable or rotatable push rims for easier transfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Department of Veterans Affairs, Technology Transfer Program
    Inventors: Andrew H. Hansen, Gary D. Goldish
  • Patent number: 8764850
    Abstract: A bi-modal ankle-foot device that provides a curved effective shape appropriate for walking and a flattened effective shape for standing. The bi-modal ankle-foot device includes a foot piece and a lockable ankle joint connected to the flat foot piece, the ankle joint and foot piece cooperating to provide a curved shape for walking when the ankle joint is unlocked and to provide a flattened shape for standing when the ankle joint is locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Andrew H. Hansen, Dudley S. Childress
  • Patent number: 8696764
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved system for use in rehabilitation and/or physical therapy for the treatment of injury or disease to the lower limbs or extremities. The system can enable an amputee to proceed over any inclined or declined surface without overbalancing. The system is mechanically passive in that it does not utilize motors, force generating devices, batteries, or powered sources that may add undesirable weight or mass and that may require recharging. In particular the system is self-adapting to adjust the torque moment depending upon the motion, the extent of inclination, and the surface topography. An additional advantage of the improvement is that the system can be light and may also be simple to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Andrew H. Hansen, Eric A. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20140087920
    Abstract: A foldable parallel bar apparatus includes generally U-shaped first and second end frames and a set of handrails connected to and extending between the first and second end frames, wherein the handrails are foldable so as to move the first and second end frames closer to one another thereby compacting the apparatus. When multiple modules of the end frames are connected, they provide an uninterrupted path between the handrails. An alternative embodiment provides base platforms that are foldable relative to each other and handrails that are vertically and horizontally adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Eric A. NICKEL, Andrew H. HANSEN, Adam Stephen BREYETTE, Binghan CHEN, Kristin HUBER, Ross KLABON, Thomas C. LaSEE, William Gunther VOSS, Steven M. MORIN
  • Publication number: 20140088730
    Abstract: An ankle-foot prosthesis includes a foot plate, an ankle frame attached to the foot plate, a yoke pivotally connected to the ankle frame and including a member for attaching to a leg, a damper having a first end connected to the yoke and a second end connected to the ankle frame, and a control mechanism for switching the damper between low and high settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Andrew H. Hansen, Eric A. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20140074255
    Abstract: The present invention relates in the field of orthopedics to an artificial ankle which imitates the natural human gait in a proper way, thereby enabling its user to walk not only in a plane environment but also uphill and downhill without any unpleasant effects. The present invention further relates to an artificial foot and an artificial leg containing said artificial ankle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicants: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, FALZ & KANNENBERG GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Felix Starker, Urs Schneider, Andrew H. Hansen, Dudley S. Childress, Joachim Pauli, Carsten Pauli
  • Patent number: 8597369
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for use in rehabilitation and/or physical therapy for the treatment of injury or disease. The system can enable an amputee to proceed over any surface without overbalancing. In particular the system is self-adapting to adjust the torque moment depending upon the motion, the extent of inclination, and the surface topography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignees: Northwestern University, The Department of Veteran Affairs, The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
    Inventors: Andrew H. Hansen, Steven A. Gard, Dudley S. Childress, Brian Ruhe, Ryan Williams