Abstract: A force sensor comprising a force sensitive resistor having a common electrode and an electrode array separated by a force sensitive resistor material. The sensor includes a preload structure, where the preload structure imparts a force on the force sensitive resistor material. The sensor may also include a signal conditioning board to read a signal from the electrode array and convert it to a digital output.

Abstract: Provided is a system for operating a ventilator. The system includes a motorized proportional valve actuator including a stepper motor and an actuator. The actuator is connected to the stepper motor and configured to output pressurized air by controlling a pressure on a valve diaphragm. A conduit provides for fluid communication of the pressurized air to a breathing apparatus. A sensor arrangement is in fluid communication with the conduit between the at least one motorized proportional valve actuator and the breathing apparatus. The sensor arrangement includes: (i) an intake manifold configured to output a restricted flow of air from the pressurized air transported in the conduit, and (ii) a sensor device in fluid communication with an outlet of the intake manifold, the sensor device configured to measure an air pressure of the conduit based on the restricted flow of air.

Abstract: Provided is a method of training a machine-learning-based artificial intelligence (AI) model to handle diverse types of motions occurring during image acquisition, including capturing image data including motion between an imaging device and tissue, modifying the captured image data, resulting in modified image data, by at least one of: altering an amount of time between any two frames; removing a subsequence of frames from the captured image data; and adding a subsequence of one or more new frames to the captured image data, and training a machine-learning-based AI model based on the modified image data. Other systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: Provided is a sensing device including an elastomer, a magnetic device positioned within the elastomer and associated with a magnetic field, and a magnetometer configured to sense a change in the magnetic field of the magnetic device. A method and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a vision sensing device including a housing, a camera, a laser pattern generator, an inertial measurement unit, and at least one processor configured to project a laser pattern within the field of view of the camera, capture inertial data from the inertial measurement unit as a user moves the housing, capture visual data from the field of view with the camera as the user moves the housing, capture depth data with the laser pattern generator as the user moves the housing, and generate an RGB-D point cloud based on the visual data, the inertial data, and the depth data.

Abstract: A force sensor comprising a force sensitive resistor having a common electrode and an electrode array separated by a force sensitive resistor material. The sensor includes a preload structure, where the preload structure imparts a force on the force sensitive resistor material. The sensor may also include a signal conditioning board to read a signal from the electrode array and convert it to a digital output.

Abstract: A steerable multi-linked device. The device includes a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. The first mechanism defines a first plurality of grooves. The second mechanism defines a second plurality of grooves. The first and second pluralities of grooves cooperate to define at least two working ports along a length of the device. At least one of the first and second mechanisms are steerable.

Abstract: A system for releasably attaching a steerable disposable multi-linked device to a durable device may include a disposable portion and a durable portion. The disposable portion may include a connecting member connected to the disposable portion and the durable portion and a steerable multi-linked device. The steerable multi-linked device may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links, a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links, and a cable which passes through the first link and intermediate links and extends beyond a first end of the first link. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link. The durable portion may include an axial member which defines an opening therethrough and a feeder mechanism.

Abstract: An example actuator is provided to be used in robots and robotic devices. The actuator includes: a first plate, a second plate, and an elastic element disposed between the first plate and the second plate and including a center portion and an edge portion, the center portion corresponding to a first thickness and the edge portion corresponding to a second thickness larger than the first thickness, a first shear stress associated with the center portion being approximately equal to a second shear stress associated with the edge portion.

Abstract: A system for controlling the movement of a steerable multi-linked device may include a steerable multi-linked device, a feeder mechanism releasably connected to the steerable multi-linked device and a controller device. The steerable multi-linked device may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links, and a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link. The controller device may be configured to control movement of the multi-linked device via the feeder mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an electro-mechanical system. A system includes a plurality of connected modules. A first module of the modules includes an actuator for imparting motion on the electro-mechanical system and a data processor configured to sense a state of the first module and to command the actuator to modify the state of the first module.

Abstract: A steerable multi-linked device. The device includes a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. The first mechanism defines a first plurality of grooves. The second mechanism defines a second plurality of grooves. The first and second pluralities of grooves cooperate to define at least two working ports along a length of the device. At least one of the first and second mechanisms are steerable.

Abstract: A steerable multi-linked device. The device includes a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. The first mechanism defines a first plurality of grooves. The second mechanism defines a second plurality of grooves. The first and second pluralities of grooves cooperate to define at least two working ports along a length of the device. At least one of the first and second mechanisms are steerable.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an electro-mechanical system. A system includes a plurality of connected modules. A first module of the modules includes an actuator for imparting motion on the electro-mechanical system and a data processor configured to sense a state of the first module and to command the actuator to modify the state of the first module.

Abstract: An example actuator is provided to be used in robots and robotic devices. The actuator includes: a first plate, a second plate, and an elastic element disposed between the first plate and the second plate and including a center portion and an edge portion, the center portion corresponding to a first thickness and the edge portion corresponding to a second thickness larger than the first thickness, a first shear stress associated with the center portion being approximately equal to a second shear stress associated with the edge portion.

Abstract: A method of automatic path planning for at least one robot within a confined configuration space, the robot including an arm having a plurality of joints and an end effector coupled to the arm. The method includes entering a plurality of process points into a computer, each process point being a location wherein the arm is to be positioned to perform a task, calculating one or more inverse kinematic solutions for each process point, clustering the inverse kinematic solutions into a set of clusters, and generating collision free paths between the clusters in the confined configuration space.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a device. The apparatus includes a coupling member, a first arm, a second arm, and a sloped support member. The coupling member defines a first opening and a second opening. The first arm passes through the first opening, and the coupling member is movably connected to the first arm. The second arm passes through the second opening. The sloped support member is releasably connected to the second arm. The apparatus has at least five degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A steerable multi-linked device may include a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. At least one of the first multi-linked mechanism and the second multi-linked mechanism may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links, a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links and a reinforcing member. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link, and the reinforcing member may extend from a first end of a third one of the intermediate links toward a second end of the third one of the intermediate links.

Abstract: A system for releasably attaching a steerable disposable multi-linked device to a durable device may include a disposable portion and a durable portion. The disposable portion may include a connecting member connected to the disposable portion and the durable portion and a steerable multi-linked device. The steerable multi-linked device may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links, a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links, and a cable which passes through the first link and intermediate links and extends beyond a first end of the first link. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link. The durable portion may include an axial member which defines an opening therethrough and a feeder mechanism.

Abstract: A steerable multi-linked device may include a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. At least one of the first multi-linked mechanism and the second multi-linked mechanism may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links, a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links and a reinforcing member. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link, and the reinforcing member may extend from a first end of a third one of the intermediate links toward a second end of the third one of the intermediate links.