Abstract: An actuation assembly for a prosthetic device may include an output arm, a motor, and a drive unit. The drive unit may include an input coupled to the motor, an output coupled to the output arm, and a drive transmission. The drive transmission may be configured to transmit rotation of the input to the output. The motor and the drive unit may be axially aligned.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint device may include a base coupled to an actuator of the joint mechanism. The device may include a first arm and a second arm extending from the base with a gap between the first arm and the second arm. The first arm and the second arm may form a closed loop. Distal ends of the first arm and the second arm may be coupled together at a distal connection point. A distal attachment portion including an opening may be rotatably coupled to a shank portion of the prosthetic device. The device may include a sensor to measure rotation of the distal attachment portion relative to the shank portion when the torque is applied to the base.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining thermal properties of a slab of sample material. Measurement data is obtained from a transient plane source sensor in contact with a slab of sample material, where an insulative backing material is in contact with the slab of sample material opposite the transient plane source sensor. Power supplied to the transient plane source sensor over a measurement period is sufficient to provide a temperature response in an axial boundary of the slab of sample material. A non-linear fitting technique is applied to determine one or more modeled thermal properties of the sample material using a temperature equation that considers thermal properties of the insulative backing material. The slab of sample material may be isotropic or anisotropic.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee can include a variable-torque magnetorheological (MR) actuator assembly or braking system, a frame and an electronics assembly or system that also serves as a mount for the knee actuator and facilitates in monitoring and controlling the operation of the knee actuator. The prosthetic knee system advantageously provides resistive forces to substantially simulate the position and motion of a natural knee joint during ambulation and/or other locomotory activities performed by the amputee. The prosthetic knee can be enclosed in a waterproof compartment. An outer cover can be configured to fit around the waterproof cover of the prosthetic knee.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee can include a variable-torque magnetorheological (MR) actuator assembly or braking system, a frame and an electronics assembly or system that also serves as a mount for the knee actuator and facilitates in monitoring and controlling the operation of the knee actuator. The prosthetic knee system advantageously provides resistive forces to substantially simulate the position and motion of a natural knee joint during ambulation and/or other locomotory activities performed by the amputee. The prosthetic knee can be have a series of internal blades for providing resistive forces. A locking ratchet can be used to lock knee position. A dynamic seal with a protective shim can be disposed in the knee actuator. A coil with a non-circular cross-section can be used.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee can include a variable-torque magnetorheological (MR) actuator assembly or braking system, a frame and an electronics assembly or system that also serves as a mount for the knee actuator and facilitates in monitoring and controlling the operation of the knee actuator. The prosthetic knee system advantageously provides resistive forces to substantially simulate the position and motion of a natural knee joint during ambulation and/or other locomotory activities performed by the amputee. The prosthetic knee can be enclosed in a waterproof compartment. An outer cover can be configured to fit around the waterproof cover of the prosthetic knee.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining a thermal property of a small and/or conductive sample material. Measurement data of the sample material is obtained using a transient plane source sensor placed in contact with at least one solid cylinder slab of the sample material, wherein each of the at least one solid cylinder slab of the sample material has a slab radius that is larger than a radius of the sensor and less than twice as large as the radius of the sensor. The power supplied to the transient plane source sensor over the measurement period is sufficient to provide a temperature response in at least a radial boundary of each of the at least one solid cylinder slab. A non-linear fitting technique is applied to determine a modeled thermal property of the sample material.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee can include a variable-torque magnetorheological (MR) actuator assembly or braking system, a frame and an electronics assembly or system that also serves as a mount for the knee actuator and facilitates in monitoring and controlling the operation of the knee actuator. The prosthetic knee system advantageously provides resistive forces to substantially simulate the position and motion of a natural knee joint during ambulation and/or other locomotory activities performed by the amputee. The prosthetic knee can have a series of internal blades for providing resistive forces. A locking ratchet can be used to lock knee position. A dynamic seal with a protective shim can be disposed in the knee actuator. A coil with a non-circular cross-section can be used.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee can include a variable-torque magnetorheological (MR) actuator assembly or braking system, a frame and an electronics assembly or system that also serves as a mount for the knee actuator and facilitates in monitoring and controlling the operation of the knee actuator. The prosthetic knee system advantageously provides resistive forces to substantially simulate the position and motion of a natural knee joint during ambulation and/or other locomotory activities performed by the amputee. The prosthetic knee can be enclosed in a waterproof compartment. An outer cover can be configured to fit around the waterproof cover of the prosthetic knee.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee can include a variable-torque magnetorheological (MR) actuator assembly or braking system, a frame and an electronics assembly or system that also serves as a mount for the knee actuator and facilitates in monitoring and controlling the operation of the knee actuator. The prosthetic knee system advantageously provides resistive forces to substantially simulate the position and motion of a natural knee joint during ambulation and/or other locomotory activities performed by the amputee. The prosthetic knee can be enclosed in a waterproof compartment. An outer cover can be configured to fit around the waterproof cover of the prosthetic knee.

Abstract: A sensor for measurements of thermophysical properties having an electrically conductive heating element provided in a circular shape on a base. The electrically conductive heating element is provided on the base in a pattern that is designed to better approximate a perfect circle so that the sensor better represents a circular solid disk source as described in the thermal equations used for measuring thermophysical properties, and thus requires a smaller empirical correction, improving the accuracy and certainty of measurements. The pattern of the electrically conductive heating element on the base is designed to optimize uniformity of heat distribution, thereby avoiding hot spots and, where hot spots are unable to be avoided, evenly distributes such hot spots.

Abstract: Methods of determining thermal properties of a contact region are provided. The method comprises receiving temperature data of a sensor; determining a temperature distribution of heat penetration from a sensor to at least one material; applying a correction to the temperature distribution; iteratively analyzing the corrected temperature distribution; and outputting thermal properties of a contact region, the contact region being a region between the sensor and the at least one material. The method may further comprise determining thermal properties of the at least one material; and determining corrected thermal properties of the material using the thermal properties of the contact region. The method may further comprise automatically determining an appropriate time window for measuring properties of the at least one material to minimize effects of the contact region.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee can include a variable-torque magnetorheological (MR) actuator assembly or braking system, a frame and an electronics assembly or system that also serves as a mount for the knee actuator and facilitates in monitoring and controlling the operation of the knee actuator. The prosthetic knee system advantageously provides resistive forces to substantially simulate the position and motion of a natural knee joint during ambulation and/or other locomotory activities performed by the amputee. The prosthetic knee can have a series of internal blades for providing resistive forces. A locking ratchet can be used to lock knee position. A dynamic seal with a protective shim can be disposed in the knee actuator. A coil with a non-circular cross-section can be used.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee can include a variable-torque magnetorheological (MR) actuator assembly or braking system, a frame and an electronics assembly or system that also serves as a mount for the knee actuator and facilitates in monitoring and controlling the operation of the knee actuator. The prosthetic knee system advantageously provides resistive forces to substantially simulate the position and motion of a natural knee joint during ambulation and/or other locomotory activities performed by the amputee. The prosthetic knee can be enclosed in a waterproof compartment. An outer cover can be configured to fit around the waterproof cover of the prosthetic knee.

Abstract: Methods of determining thermal properties of a contact region are provided. The method comprises receiving temperature data of a sensor; determining a temperature distribution of heat penetration from a sensor to at least one material; applying a correction to the temperature distribution; iteratively analyzing the corrected temperature distribution; and outputting thermal properties of a contact region, the contact region being a region between the sensor and the at least one material. The method may further comprise determining thermal properties of the at least one material; and determining corrected thermal properties of the material using the thermal properties of the contact region. The method may further comprise automatically determining an appropriate time window for measuring properties of the at least one material to minimize effects of the contact region.

Abstract: A prosthetic or orthotic device can include at least one device portion and a joint portion for providing for the at least one device portion to pivot between flexion and extension movements relative to another adjacent device portion or an adjacent limb segment of a user. In some embodiments, a prosthetic or orthotic device can include a compliant transmission assembly in operational communication with the joint portion. The compliant transmission assembly can include a compliant member and a pivot. The pivot can be interposed between the compliant member and the joint portion. In some embodiments, the compliant member absorbs energy when a torque is applied.

Abstract: A prosthetic adapter including a lower connector, an upper connector rotatably coupled to the lower connector, and a locking mechanism for preventing the upper connector from rotating relative to the lower connector. The locking mechanism is arranged to generally automatically retain a locked position when the lower connector is rotated to an original, predetermined alignment. An activation member is connected to and arranged for operating the locking mechanism.

Abstract: An opposed dipole magnet assembly is provided that exhibits higher magnetic field uniformity than traditional magnet assemblies, such as H-shaped magnet assemblies. The opposed dipole magnet assembly includes two permanent magnets that are spaced apart and oriented such that their respective magnetization directions are parallel. Plates formed of a high permeability material are attached to top and bottom surfaces of the two permanent magnets so as to form a hollow field region. With this geometry, the magnetic field in the hollow field region is in a direction antiparallel to the magnetic field directions of the two permanent magnets.

Abstract: A high torque active mechanism for an orthotic and/or prosthetic joint using a primary brake which can be provide by magnetorheological (MR) rotational damper incorporating and an additional friction brake mechanism driven by the braking force generated by the MR damper. This combination of MR damper and friction brake mechanism allows an increase in torque density while keeping the same level of motion control offered by the MR damper alone. The increased torque density achieved by this high torque active mechanism allows to minimize the size of the actuating system, i.e. its diameter and/or breath, while maximizing its braking torque capability. In this regard, the friction brake mechanism is advantageously positioned around the MR damper, such that the dimension of the package is minimized.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee provides security and stability, particularly to low activity users, household and limited community ambulators, single and/or slow speed ambulators, and those with little voluntary control, while also balancing walking (dynamic) performance for low activity users. The prosthetic knee includes a housing, parallel anterior links, a posterior link, and a chassis. The geometry of the links and their relationship to one another allow for low voluntary control, shortening of mid-swing, which reduces stumbling risk, and geometric stability in stance. The anterior links are particularly oriented, sized and located to provide for stability. The anterior links both extend above the posterior link and substantially below the posterior link. The prosthetic knee includes a locking mechanism arranged to arrest movement of the posterior link. The knee including a locking mechanism connected to the housing and arranged to block rotation of the posterior link.