Patents by Inventor Dirk Albertus van der Merwe
Dirk Albertus van der Merwe 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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Publication number: 20240009007Abstract: A control system for control of a prosthetic device having a plurality of actuators receives an orientation signal indicative of a desired movement. The control system evaluates whether the prosthetic device may move as desired with a current angle of rotation and commands at least one actuator to move the prosthetic device as desired by maintaining the current angle of rotation or by adjusting the angle of rotation if the prosthetic device cannot move as desired with the current angle. The control system may alternate between commanding a first subset of actuators and a second subset of actuators each time the orientation signal is indicative of a neutral position. The control system may include a position sensor and a compliance sensor and may command at least one actuator based on a combination of positional control using the position sensor and force control using the compliance sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Gregory R. Lanier, John M. Kerwin, Gerald M. Guay, N. Christopher Perry, Susan D. Dastous
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Publication number: 20230277132Abstract: A system for control of a device includes at least one sensor module detecting orientation of a user's body part. The at least one sensor module is in communication with a device module configured to command an associated device. The at least one sensor module detects orientation of the body part. The at least one sensor module sends output signals related to orientation of the user's body part to the device module and the device module controls the associated device based on the signals from the at least one sensor module.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Thomas A. Doyon
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Patent number: 11684312Abstract: A system for control of a device includes at least one sensor module detecting orientation of a user's body part. The at least one sensor module is in communication with a device module configured to command an associated device. The at least one sensor module detects orientation of the body part. The at least one sensor module sends output signals related to orientation of the user's body part to the device module and the device module controls the associated device based on the signals from the at least one sensor module.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Thomas A. Doyon
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Patent number: 11666462Abstract: A control system for control of a prosthetic device having a plurality of actuators receives an orientation signal indicative of a desired movement. The control system evaluates whether the prosthetic device may move as desired with a current angle of rotation and commands at least one actuator to move the prosthetic device as desired by maintaining the current angle of rotation or by adjusting the angle of rotation if the prosthetic device cannot move as desired with the current angle. The control system may alternate between commanding a first subset of actuators and a second subset of actuators each time the orientation signal is indicative of a neutral position. The control system may include a position sensor and a compliance sensor and may command at least one actuator based on a combination of positional control using the position sensor and force control using the compliance sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Gregory R. Lanier, John M. Kerwin, Gerald M. Guay, N. Christopher Perry, Susan D. Dastous
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Publication number: 20220354669Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Christopher O. Evans, N. Christopher Perry, Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Christopher C. Langenfeld, John Matthew Kerwin, Stewart M. Coulter, Stanley B. Smith, III, Keith David Violette, Steven W. Nickson, Thomas S. Schnellinger, Alexander H. Muller, Gerald Michael Guay
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Patent number: 11291562Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Christopher O. Evans, N. Christopher Perry, Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Christopher C. Langenfeld, John Matthew Kerwin, Stewart M. Coulter, Stanley B. Smith, III, Keith David Violette, Steven W. Nickson, Thomas S. Schnellinger, Alexander H. Muller, Gerald Michael Guay
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Publication number: 20220061761Abstract: A system for control of a device includes at least one sensor module detecting orientation of a user's body part. The at least one sensor module is in communication with a device module configured to command an associated device. The at least one sensor module detects orientation of the body part. The at least one sensor module sends output signals related to orientation of the user's body part to the device module and the device module controls the associated device based on the signals from the at least one sensor module.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Thomas A. Doyon
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Patent number: 11172881Abstract: A system for control of a device includes at least one sensor module detecting orientation of a user's body part. The at least one sensor module is in communication with a device module configured to command an associated device. The at least one sensor module detects orientation of the body part. The at least one sensor module sends output signals related to orientation of the user's body part to the device module and the device module controls the associated device based on the signals from the at least one sensor module.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Thomas A. Doyon
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Publication number: 20190374352Abstract: A control system for control of a prosthetic device having a plurality of actuators receives an orientation signal indicative of a desired movement. The control system evaluates whether the prosthetic device may move as desired with a current angle of rotation and commands at least one actuator to move the prosthetic device as desired by maintaining the current angle of rotation or by adjusting the angle of rotation if the prosthetic device cannot move as desired with the current angle. The control system may alternate between commanding a first subset of actuators and a second subset of actuators each time the orientation signal is indicative of a neutral position. The control system may include a position sensor and a compliance sensor and may command at least one actuator based on a combination of positional control using the position sensor and force control using the compliance sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Gregory R. Lanier, John M. Kerwin, Gerald M. Guay, N. Christopher Perry, Susan D. Dastous
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Publication number: 20190274848Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Christopher O. Evans, N. Christopher Perry, Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Christopher C. Langenfeld, John Matthew Kerwin, Stewart M. Coulter, Stanley B. Smith, III, Keith David Violette, Steven W. Nickson, Thomas S. Schnellinger, Alexander H. Muller, Gerald Michael Guay
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Patent number: 10369022Abstract: A control system for control of a prosthetic device having a plurality of actuators receives an orientation signal indicative of a desired movement. The control system evaluates whether the prosthetic device may move as desired with a current angle of rotation and commands at least one actuator to move the prosthetic device as desired by maintaining the current angle of rotation or by adjusting the angle of rotation if the prosthetic device cannot move as desired with the current angle. The control system may alternate between commanding a first subset of actuators and a second subset of actuators each time the orientation signal is indicative of a neutral position. The control system may include a position sensor and a compliance sensor and may command at least one actuator based on a combination of positional control using the position sensor and force control using the compliance sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Gregory R. Lanier, John M. Kerwin, Gerald M. Guay, N. Christopher Perry, Susan D. Dastous
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Patent number: 10292838Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Christopher O. Evans, N. Christopher Perry, Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Christopher C. Langenfeld, John Matthew Kerwin, Stewart M. Coulter, Stanley B. Smith, III, Keith David Violette, Steven W. Nickson, Thomas S. Schnellinger, Alexander H. Muller, Gerald Michael Guay
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Publication number: 20190083035Abstract: A system for control of a device includes at least one sensor module detecting orientation of a user's body part. The at least one sensor module is in communication with a device module configured to command an associated device. The at least one sensor module detects orientation of the body part. The at least one sensor module sends output signals related to orientation of the user's body part to the device module and the device module controls the associated device based on the signals from the at least one sensor module.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Thomas A. Doyon
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Patent number: 10130304Abstract: A system for control of a device includes at least one sensor module detecting orientation of a user's body part. The at least one sensor module is in communication with a device module configured to command an associated device. The at least one sensor module detects orientation of the body part. The at least one sensor module sends output signals related to orientation of the user's body part to the device module and the device module controls the associated device based on the signals from the at least one sensor module.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Thomas A. Doyon
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Publication number: 20160317326Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Christopher O. Evans, N. Christopher Perry, Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Christopher C. Langenfeld, John Matthew Kerwin, Stewart M. Coulter, Stanley B. Smith, III, Keith David Violette, Steven W. Nickson, Thomas S. Schnellinger, Alexander H. Muller, Gerald Michael Guay
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Patent number: 9393131Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2013Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Christopher O. Evans, N. Christopher Perry, Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Christopher C. Langenfeld, John Matthew Kerwin, Stewart M. Coulter, Stanley B. Smith, III, Keith David Violette, Steven W. Nickson, Thomas S. Schnellinger, Alexander H. Muller, Gerald Michael Guay
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Publication number: 20150366505Abstract: A system for control of a device includes at least one sensor module detecting orientation of a user's body part. The at least one sensor module is in communication with a device module configured to command an associated device. The at least one sensor module detects orientation of the body part. The at least one sensor module sends output signals related to orientation of the user's body part to the device module and the device module controls the associated device based on the signals from the at least one sensor module.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2015Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Thomas A. Doyon
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Publication number: 20150351939Abstract: A control system for control of a prosthetic device having a plurality of actuators receives an orientation signal indicative of a desired movement. The control system evaluates whether the prosthetic device may move as desired with a current angle of rotation and commands at least one actuator to move the prosthetic device as desired by maintaining the current angle of rotation or by adjusting the angle of rotation if the prosthetic device cannot move as desired with the current angle. The control system may alternate between commanding a first subset of actuators and a second subset of actuators each time the orientation signal is indicative of a neutral position. The control system may include a position sensor and a compliance sensor and may command at least one actuator based on a combination of positional control using the position sensor and force control using the compliance sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Gregory R. Lanier, John M. Kerwin, Gerald M. Guay, N. Christopher Perry, Susan D. Dastous
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Patent number: 9121699Abstract: A system for control of a device includes at least one sensor module detecting orientation of a user's body part. The at least one sensor module is in communication with a device module configured to command an associated device. The at least one sensor module detects orientation of the body part. The at least one sensor module sends output signals related to orientation of the user's body part to the device module and the device module controls the associated device based on the signals from the at least one sensor module.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Thomas A. Doyon
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Patent number: 9114030Abstract: A control system for control of a prosthetic device having a plurality of actuators receives an orientation signal indicative of a desired movement. The control system evaluates whether the prosthetic device may move as desired with a current angle of rotation and commands at least one actuator to move the prosthetic device as desired by maintaining the current angle of rotation or by adjusting the angle of rotation if the prosthetic device cannot move as desired with the current angle. The control system may alternate between commanding a first subset of actuators and a second subset of actuators each time the orientation signal is indicative of a neutral position. The control system may include a position sensor and a compliance sensor and may command at least one actuator based on a combination of positional control using the position sensor and force control using the compliance sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2011Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Dirk Albertus van der Merwe, Gregory Randall Lanier, Jr., John Matthew Kerwin, Gerald Michael Guay, N. Christopher Perry, Susan D. Dastous