Patents by Inventor Barbara Mazzolai
Barbara Mazzolai 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).
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Patent number: 11529161Abstract: A grasper device for mini-invasive surgery procedures is provided, having two jaws, each of which having two elastically-deformable elements fixed one another and developing according to a main longitudinal direction, in particular a front element which contacts the tissue to be grasped and a back support element receiving a grasping force from a proximal command and having a higher modulus of elasticity than the front element. During the application of a grasping force Fz, the two elements deform along a transverse direction that is orthogonal to the main longitudinal direction and to the grasping force Fz.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIAInventors: Edoardo Sinibaldi, Yu Huan, Arianna Menciassi, Barbara Mazzolai
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Publication number: 20210059701Abstract: A grasper device for mini-invasive surgery procedures is provided, having two jaws, each of which having two elastically-deformable elements fixed one another and developing according to a main longitudinal direction, in particular a front element which contacts the tissue to be grasped and a back support element receiving a grasping force from a proximal command and having a higher modulus of elasticity than the front element. During the application of a grasping force Fz, the two elements deform along a transverse direction that is orthogonal to the main longitudinal direction and to the grasping force Fz.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIAInventors: Edoardo SINIBALDI, Yu HUAN, Arianna MENCIASSI, Barbara MAZZOLAI
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Patent number: 10590247Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of films of conductive polymers, by the technique so-called roll-to-roll, which allows to obtain freestanding films having advantageous features such as toughness, flexibility, ability to adhere to different substrates, a submicron thickness and a very high ratio surface area/thickness; the present films are suitable for use in several technological applications, in particular for the development of biosensors, and in the production of flexible electronic components with large surface, suitable for wearable devices and also intended for contacting skin.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIAInventors: Francesco Greco, Alessandra Zucca, Barbara Mazzolai, Shinji Takeoka, Kento Yamagishi, Toshinori Fujie, Virgilio Mattoli
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Patent number: 10024106Abstract: A system includes an excavation assembly, which in turn includes a supporting body having a perimetric edge defining a closed path. A distribution apparatus protrudes transversally relative to the perimetric edge and is movable in a guided manner on the supporting body. The distribution apparatus transversally distributes a quantity of hardenable or solidifiable material towards the outside of the perimetric edge, so as to be able to lay a plurality of axially superimposed annular layers(s) of the hardenable or solidifiable material defining a tubular structure (T) around the excavation assembly. A motor device moves the distribution apparatus on the supporting body.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECHNOLOGIAInventors: Ali Sadeghi, Barbara Mazzolai
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Publication number: 20180185173Abstract: The device (1) takes up the basic structure and operation of the McKibben type artificial muscles and similar, in which is provided a hollow cylindrical chamber (2), of resilient material, which is inflated in the active phase (K). The chamber (2) interacts with a braided sleeve (3), consisting of threads (31, 32), almost inextensible, arranged in crossed helical paths having a characteristic angle of inclination ? with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the device (1). The sleeve (3) is connected at the ends with two rigid head members (4A, 4B) provided to be mechanically connected to external bodies. The invention provides adjusting means (5), associated to said rigid head members (4A, 4B) adapted to vary their distance (D) at rest, so as to require a proportional and consistent change in the angle of inclination ?: if the latter is exactly 54.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2016Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Matteo CIANCHETTI, Cecilia LASCHI, Paolo DARIO, Syed Taimoor Hassan SHAH, Barbara MAZZOLAI
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Patent number: 9999273Abstract: A sole for footwear capable of recovering part of the energy produced during deambulation including: at least one energy harvesting means, including: a tubular body, fixed in use, having a first and a second end and a movable part slidable in the tubular body; the energy harvesting means being provided, in use, for generating electrical energy following the sliding of the movable part with respect to the tubular body that is fixed in use, during the deambulation; at least one actuator group for the energy harvesting means, including at least one fluid-dynamic circuit including: at least one first and one second tank including a fluid, the first tank being housed at a rear area of the sole and the second tank being housed at a front area of the sole; at least one first and one second joining conduit in fluid connection between the first tank and the first end of the at least one tubular body, and the second tank and the second end of the tubular body, respectively, where, the first tank has a configuration inType: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: VIBRAM S.P.A.Inventors: Tom Krupenkin, Joseph Ashley Taylor, Virgilio Mattoli, Francesco Greco, Barbara Mazzolai, Alessio Mondini
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Publication number: 20180009957Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of films of conductive polymers, by the technique so-called roll-to-roll, which allows to obtain freestanding films having advantageous features such as toughness, flexibility, ability to adhere to different substrates, a submicron thickness and a very high ratio surface area/thickness; the present films are suitable for use in several technological applications, in particular for the development of biosensors, and in the production of flexible electronic components with large surface, suitable for wearable devices and also intended for contacting skin.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2016Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Francesco GRECO, Alessandra ZUCCA, Barbara MAZZOLAI, Shinji TAKEOKA, Kento YAMAGISHI, Toshinori FUJIE, Virgilio MATTOLI
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Patent number: 9748868Abstract: Composite material comprising a matrix of elastic and electrically insulating material, and a filler of electrically conducting material embedded within the matrix. The filler forms a conductive path defining an active electrode adapted to be associated with a reference electrode for forming an electrical signal output. A deformable gap is formed between an outer surface of the conductive path and an inner surface of the matrix, in such a way that the application of a mechanical load to the composite material causes the surface of the conductive path and the surface of the matrix to be brought closer together, and the removal of the mechanical load causes the surface of the conductive path and the surface of the matrix to be moved away from one another as a result of the elastic force of the material of the matrix.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIAInventors: Majid Taghavi, Virgilio Mattoli, Lucia Beccai, Barbara Mazzolai
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Publication number: 20170070164Abstract: Composite material comprising a matrix of elastic and electrically insulating material, and a filler of electrically conducting material embedded within the matrix. The filler forms a conductive path defining an active electrode adapted to be associated with a reference electrode for forming an electrical signal output. A deformable gap is formed between an outer surface of the conductive path and an inner surface of the matrix, in such a way that the application of a mechanical load to the composite material causes the surface of the conductive path and the surface of the matrix to be brought closer together, and the removal of the mechanical load causes the surface of the conductive path and the surface of the matrix to be moved away from one another as a result of the elastic force of the material of the matrix.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2015Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Majid TAGHAVI, Virgilio MATTOLI, Lucia BECCAI, Barbara MAZZOLAI
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Publication number: 20170042275Abstract: A sole for footwear capable of recovering part of the energy produced during deambulation including: at least one energy harvesting means, including: a tubular body, fixed in use, having a first and a second end and a movable part slidable in the tubular body; the energy harvesting means being provided, in use, for generating electrical energy following the sliding of the movable part with respect to the tubular body that is fixed in use, during the deambulation; at least one actuator group for the energy harvesting means, including at least one fluid-dynamic circuit including: at least one first and one second tank including a fluid, the first tank being housed at a rear area of the sole and the second tank being housed at a front area of the sole; at least one first and one second joining conduit in fluid connection between the first tank and the first end of the at least one tubular body, and the second tank and the second end of the tubular body, respectively where, the first tank has a configuration in pType: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Tom KRUPENKIN, Joseph Ashley TAYLOR, Virgilio MATTOLI, Francesco GRECO, Barbara MAZZOLAI, Alessio MONDINI
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Publication number: 20160168915Abstract: A system includes an excavation assembly, which in turn includes a supporting body having a perimetric edge defining a closed path. A distribution apparatus protrudes transversally relative to the perimetric edge and is movable in a guided manner on the supporting body. The distribution apparatus transversally distributes a quantity of hardenable or solidifiable material towards the outside of the perimetric edge, so as to be able to lay a plurality of axially superimposed annular layers(s) of the hardenable or solidifiable material defining a tubular structure (T) around the excavation assembly. A motor device moves the distribution apparatus on the supporting body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Ali SADEGHI, Barbara MAZZOLAI
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Patent number: 9314923Abstract: A robotic limb is described. The robotic limb has a closed tubular casing made of viscoelastic material defining a chamber containing an incompressible fluid. The closed tubular casing has a sheath formed by substantially inextensible intertwined wires. In the chamber there are groups of transverse actuators axially spaced from each other, connected to the sheath and adapted to reversibly contract the closed tubular casing at least partly in the radial direction. The robotic limb also has longitudinal actuators adapted to reversibly contract the closed tubular casing at least partly in the axial direction being connected to each of the groups of transverse actuators.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSITARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO SANT'ANNAInventors: Matteo Cianchetti, Maurizio Follador, Andrea Arienti, Cecilia Laschi, Barbara Mazzolai, Paolo Dario
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Patent number: 9314933Abstract: A robot having an overall structure inspired by the Octopus vulgaris is described. The robot has soft arms joined in a radial manner to a central support. The soft arms have the capability of lengthening, shortening and wrapping around in a coil-shape manner. The extremely simple movements and coordination of the soft arms are effective because of the interaction between the single actions. For example during locomotion, while some arms act as a support for stability, the others provide for thrusting allowing the robot to advance. Once near the target, some arms provide for stability whereas the others can bend so as to wrap around and transport external entities.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSITARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO SANT'ANNAInventors: Marcello Calisti, Andrea Arienti, Michele Giorelli, Barbara Mazzolai, Cecilia Laschi, Paolo Dario
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Publication number: 20150116274Abstract: The present invention refers to a touch-sensitive detecting device (1) comprising a sensor (10) associated with a control circuit (50), the sensor (10) comprising a layer (5) with at least an interface (6) suitable for defining a detection area (11) for at least one object (51) in contact with said detection area (11), a number N of emitters (15) and a number M of receivers (20) coupled with said layer (5), said N emitters (15) suitable for emitting a beam (Pn) of detection signals (30) at a wavelength in said layer (5) and said M receivers (20) being suitable for receiving at least a detection signal of said beam (Pn) of detection signals (30) emitted by said emitters (15) and for generating an output signal, said layer (5) being transparent at the wavelength of said detection signals (30) emitted by said N emitters (15) and defining a waveguide for said detection signals (30); the control circuit (50) is suitable for associating a subset of M receivers (20) with each of said N emitters (15), and is suitableType: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Alessandro Levi, Lucia Beccai, Matteo Piovanelli, Silvano Furlan, Barbara Mazzolai
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Publication number: 20140083230Abstract: A robot having an overall structure inspired by the Octopus vulgaris is described. The robot has soft arms joined in a radial manner to a central support. The soft arms have the capability of lengthening, shortening and wrapping around in a coil-shape manner. The extremely simple movements and coordination of the soft arms are effective because of the interaction between the single actions. For example during locomotion, while some arms act as a support for stability, the others provide for thrusting allowing the robot to advance. Once near the target, some arms provide for stability whereas the others can bend so as to wrap around and transport external entities.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Inventors: Marcello Calisti, Andrea Arienti, Michele Giorelli, Barbara Mazzolai, Cecilia Laschi, Paolo Dario
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Publication number: 20130167683Abstract: A robotic limb is described. The robotic limb has a closed tubular casing made of viscoelastic material defining a chamber containing an incompressible fluid. The closed tubular casing has a sheath formed by substantially inextensible intertwined wires. In the chamber there are groups of transverse actuators axially spaced from each other, connected to the sheath and adapted to reversibly contract the closed tubular casing at least partly in the radial direction. The robotic limb also has longitudinal actuating means adapted to reversibly contract the closed tubular casing at least partly in the axial direction being connected to each of the groups of transverse actuators.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Inventors: Matteo Cianchetti, Maurizio Follador, Andrea Arienti, Cecilia Laschi, Barbara Mazzolai, Paolo Dario