Abstract: Compliant connectors can span gaps between support segments of an expandable implantable spinal device. The compliant connectors can lay flat when under strain in a stowed position and can expand to maintain an expanded configuration defined by the plurality of support segments when released. A minimally compact size and/or profile of the expandable implantable device may be achieved. which also achieving a relatively large size in the deployed configuration of the device.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus. includes a shoe having a sole with at least a portion of foam replaced with a composite polymeric foam, at least one probe disposed in the composite polymeric foam, a voltage detector coupled to the probe that detects voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam, and a transformation module that converts voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam in response to deformation events into GRF, acceleration, or pressure data. In another example, a method includes receiving voltage data produced by composite polymeric foam, the composite polymeric foam providing support and padding in the sole of a shoe, converting the voltage data to force data, comparing the force data to a profile, and transmitting, when the force data fails to fall within a threshold of the profile, a feedback signal to a physical feedback device, the feedback signal indicating a difference with the profile.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus includes a shoe having a sole with at least a portion of foam replaced with a composite polymeric foam, at least one probe disposed in the composite polymeric foam, a voltage detector coupled to the probe that detects voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam, and a transformation module that converts voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam in response to deformation events into GRF, acceleration, or pressure data. In another example, a method includes receiving voltage data produced by composite polymeric foam, the composite polymeric foam providing support and padding in the sole of a shoe, converting the voltage data to force data, comparing the force data to a profile, and transmitting, when the force data fails to fall within a threshold of the profile, a feedback signal to a physical feedback device, the feedback signal indicating a difference with the profile.

Abstract: A multi-stage stent including a stent body and a bio-erodible material is provided. The stent body can be compressed in an initial state and the bio-erodible material can be coupled to the stent body in a configuration that holds the stent body in an expanded first state, following a first stage expansion from the initial state upon deployment of the stent body. Upon erosion of the bio-erodible material the stent body is released from the first state to expand further in a second stage expansion to a second state.

Abstract: A prosthetic venous valve device is disclosed and described, having a valve base including a cylindrical shape with a lumen configured for axial blood flow, the valve base further including an anterograde end and a retrograde end, a pair of flexure pivots coupled to opposite sides of the valve base at the anterograde end, and a pair of leaflets opposingly positioned with respect to one another and each pivotally coupled to one of the pair of flexure pivots, the pair of leaflets being separated from one another in a default open position, wherein the pair of leaflets are structurally configured to pivot from the default open position toward one another to close the prosthetic venous valve to limit retrograde venous blood flow under normal physiologic venous conditions.

Abstract: Deployable Euler Spiral Connectors (DESCs) are introduced as compliant deployable flexures that can span gaps between segments in a mechanism and then lay flat when under strain in a stowed position. This paper presents models of Euler spiral beams combined in series and parallel that can be used to design compact compliant mechanisms. Constraints on the flexure parameters of DESCs are also presented. Analytic models developed for the force-deflection behavior and stress were compared to finite element analysis and experimental data. A spinal implant and a linear ratcheting system are presented as illustrative applications of DESCs.

Abstract: A multi-stage stent including a stent body and a bio-erodible material is provided. The stent body can be compressed in an initial state and the bio-erodible material can be coupled to the stent body in a configuration that holds the stent body in an expanded first state, following a first stage expansion from the initial state upon deployment of the stent body. Upon erosion of the bio-erodible material the stent body is released from the first state to expand further in a second stage expansion to a second state.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a composite foam comprises a non-layered mixture of a polymeric foam with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the polymeric foam. The conductive fillers are disposed in an even manner from outer surface to outer surface. In some implementations, the conductive fillers are up to 25% by weight of the composite foam. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as padding. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as a strain gauge. In some implementations, the foam may be in contact with a voltage detector.

Abstract: A fetal monitoring system includes a garment configured to be worn by a pregnant woman a plurality of sensors positioned on the garment to be over the abdomen of the pregnant woman. The plurality of sensors are positioned or positionable in a predetermined arrangement on the garment and configured to sense or detect movement of at least one of the pregnant women or an in utero fetus within the abdomen of the pregnant women. The fetal monitoring system also includes one or more conductive wires connecting each sensor of the plurality of sensors, a communication module connected to at least one of the one or more conductive wires and configured to transmit data from the plurality of sensors, and a controller configured communicate with the communication module and receive the data from the plurality of sensors transmitted by the communication module.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus. includes a shoe having a sole with at least a portion of foam replaced with a composite polymeric foam, at least one probe disposed in the composite polymeric foam, a voltage detector coupled to the probe that detects voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam, and a transformation module that converts voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam in response to deformation events into GRF, acceleration, or pressure data. In another example, a method includes receiving voltage data produced by composite polymeric foam, the composite polymeric foam providing support and padding in the sole of a shoe, converting the voltage data to force data, comparing the force data to a profile, and transmitting, when the force data fails to fall within a threshold of the profile, a feedback signal to a physical feedback device, the feedback signal indicating a difference with the profile.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus. includes a shoe having a sole with at least a portion of foam replaced with a composite polymeric foam, at least one probe disposed in the composite polymeric foam, a voltage detector coupled to the probe that detects voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam, and a transformation module that converts voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam in response to deformation events into GRF, acceleration, or pressure data. In another example, a method includes receiving voltage data produced by composite polymeric foam, the composite polymeric foam providing support and padding in the sole of a shoe, converting the voltage data to force data, comparing the force data to a profile, and transmitting, when the force data fails to fall within a threshold of the profile, a feedback signal to a physical feedback device, the feedback signal indicating a difference with the profile.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a composite foam comprises a non-layered mixture of a polymeric foam with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the polymeric foam. The conductive fillers are disposed in an even manner from outer surface to outer surface. In some implementations, the conductive fillers are up to 25% by weight of the composite foam. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as padding. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as a strain gauge. In some implementations, the foam may be in contact with a voltage detector.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a composite foam comprises a non-layered mixture of a polymeric foam with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the polymeric foam. The conductive fillers are disposed in an even manner from outer surface to outer surface. In some implementations, the conductive fillers are up to 25% by weight of the composite foam. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as padding. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as a strain gauge.

Abstract: A prosthetic venous valve device is disclosed and described, having a valve base including a cylindrical shape with a lumen configured for axial blood flow, the valve base further including an anterograde end and a retrograde end, a pair of flexure pivots coupled to opposite sides of the valve base at the anterograde end, and a pair of leaflets opposingly positioned with respect to one another and each pivotally coupled to one of the pair of flexure pivots, the pair of leaflets being separated from one another in a default open position, wherein the pair of leaflets are structurally configured to pivot from the default open position toward one another to close the prosthetic venous valve to limit retrograde venous blood flow under normal physiologic venous conditions.

Abstract: Deployable Euler Spiral Connectors (DESCs) are introduced as compliant deployable flexures that can span gaps between segments in a mechanism and then lay flat when under strain in a stowed position. This paper presents models of Euler spiral beams combined in series and parallel that can be used to design compact compliant mechanisms. Constraints on the flexure parameters of DESCs are also presented. Analytic models developed for the force-deflection behavior and stress were compared to finite element analysis and experimental data. A spinal implant and a linear ratcheting system are presented as illustrative applications of DESCs.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a composite foam comprises a non-layered mixture of a polymeric foam with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the polymeric foam. The conductive fillers are disposed in an even manner from outer surface to outer surface. In some implementations, the conductive fillers are up to 25% by weight of the composite foam. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as padding. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as a strain gauge.

Abstract: A multi-stage stent including a stent body and a bio-erodible material is provided. The stent body can be compressed in an initial state and the bio-erodible material can be coupled to the stent body in a configuration that holds the stent body in an expanded first state, following a first stage expansion from the initial state upon deployment of the stent body. Upon erosion of the bio-erodible material the stent body is released from the first state to expand further in a second stage expansion to a second state.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus comprises a material including a non-layered mixture of an polymeric foam with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the polymeric foam. The apparatus may produce an electrical response to deformation and, thus, function as a strain gauge. The electrical response may be a decrease in electrical resistance. The electrical response may be an electric potential generated. The conductive fillers may include conductive nanoparticles and/or conductive stabilizers. In another general aspect, a method of measuring compression strain includes detecting, along a first axis, an electrical response generated in response to an impact to a uniform composite material that includes conductive fillers and voids disposed throughout an elastomeric polymer, and determining a deformation of the impact based on the electrical response. The impact may be along a second axis different from the first axis.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus. includes a shoe having a sole with at least a portion of foam replaced with a composite polymeric foam, at least one probe disposed in the composite polymeric foam, a voltage detector coupled to the probe that detects voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam, and a transformation module that converts voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam in response to deformation events into GRF, acceleration, or pressure data. In another example, a method includes receiving voltage data produced by composite polymeric foam, the composite polymeric foam providing support and padding in the sole of a shoe, converting the voltage data to force data, comparing the force data to a profile, and transmitting, when the force data fails to fall within a threshold of the profile, a feedback signal to a physical feedback device, the feedback signal indicating a difference with the profile.