Abstract: Visibility of a surface in turbid water can be provided using a sonar array, a plurality of acoustic mirrors, and a computing device. The sonar array can be configured to form an ultrasonic beam with a lateral dimension of a point spread function and an elevational dimension of the point spread function. The plurality of acoustic mirrors can be configured to shape and steer the point spread function. The computing device can include a non-transitory memory storing instructions and a processor configured to access the non-transitory memory and execute the instructions to sweep the ultrasound beam in the lateral dimension and the elevational dimension by moving at least one of the plurality of acoustic mirrors. Sweeping the ultrasound beam allows the processor to acquire a three dimensional data set that is used to create a projection-style reconstruction of a location in the water.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for a powered ankle/foot prosthesis and controller that utilizes piecewise emulated passive impedances to provide for walking at various cadences and on various slopes and for ground slope adaptive standing. A powered prosthesis using these systems and methods is capable of emulating any physical behavior provided by the healthy joint, and additionally describes a control system that utilizes the sensing and actuation system on the prosthesis to provide appropriate ankle joint impedances. Further, the control system incorporates a finite-state-based structure, and within each state, emulates the behavior of the healthy joint with strictly passive impedance functions.

Abstract: A powered leg prosthesis includes powered knee joint comprising a knee joint and a knee motor unit for delivering power to the knee joint. The prosthesis also includes a prosthetic lower leg having a socket interface coupled to the knee joint and a powered ankle joint coupled to the lower leg opposite the knee joint comprising an ankle joint and an ankle motor unit to deliver power to the ankle joint. The prosthesis further includes a prosthetic foot coupled to the ankle joint, at least one sensor for measuring a real-time input, and at least one controller for controlling movement of the prosthesis based on the real-time input.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for a powered ankle/foot prosthesis and controller that utilizes piecewise emulated passive impedances to provide for walking at various cadences and on various slopes and for ground slope adaptive standing. A powered prosthesis using these systems and methods is capable of emulating any physical behavior provided by the healthy joint, and additionally describes a control system that utilizes the sensing and actuation system on the prosthesis to provide appropriate ankle joint impedances. Further, the control system incorporates a finite-state-based structure, and within each state, emulates the behavior of the healthy joint with strictly passive impedance functions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of percutaneous cochlear implantation (PCI).

Abstract: A powered leg prosthesis includes powered knee joint comprising a knee joint and a knee motor unit for delivering power to the knee joint. The prosthesis also includes a prosthetic lower leg having a socket interface coupled to the knee joint and a powered ankle joint coupled to the lower leg opposite the knee joint comprising an ankle joint and an ankle motor unit to deliver power to the ankle joint. The prosthesis further includes a prosthetic foot coupled to the ankle joint, at least one sensor for measuring a real-time input, and at least one controller for controlling movement of the prosthesis based on the real-time input.

Abstract: The present invention, in another aspect, relates to a microstereotactic table. In one embodiment, the microstereotactic table includes a plate member having a first surface, an opposite, second surface, a body portion defined therebetween, a plurality of leg members, each of them removably engaged with the plate member, respectively, and a passage is formed between the first surface and the opposite, second surface of the body portion of the plate member and along a longitudinal axis, wherein a step is formed within the passage, and wherein the step is formed such that the distance from the step to one of the first surface and the opposite, second surface along the longitudinal axis is a predetermined length.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for securing an anchor in a target area of the skull of a patient, wherein the anchor has a shaped surface, a top and a base. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument includes a driver having a first end, an opposite, second end, and a body portion defined therebetween forming a bore therein along a longitudinal axis, where the bore is configured to allow the anchor to be received therein, a first inner surface formed inside the bore proximate to the first end, wherein the first inner surface is formed with a shape that is complimentary to the shaped surface of the anchor, and a second inner surface formed inside the bore and between the first inner surface and the second end, wherein the second inner surface is formed with a shape that is different from that of the first inner surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of percutaneous cochlear implantation (PCI).

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a surgical instrument for providing an access to a target of interest of a living subject. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument has a bearing member, a shaft member and a probe. The bearing member has a first end portion, an opposite, second end portion, a body portion defined therebetween having a longitudinal axis, and a shoulder portion extending from the second end portion. The body portion defines a bore therein along the longitudinal axis. The shoulder portion defines a passage substantially coaxial with and in communication with the bore. The shaft member has an first end portion and an opposite, second end portion, and is slidably received in the bore of the bearing member. The shaft member defines a space extending from the first end portion to the second end portion.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a surgical instrument for providing an access to a target of interest of a living subject. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument has a bearing member, a shaft member and a probe. The bearing member has a first end portion, an opposite, second end portion, a body portion defined therebetween having a longitudinal axis, and a shoulder portion extending from the second end portion. The body portion defines a bore therein along the longitudinal axis. The shoulder portion defines a passage substantially coaxial with and in communication with the bore. The shaft member has an first end portion and an opposite, second end portion, and is slidably received in the bore of the bearing member. The shaft member defines a space extending from the first end portion to the second end portion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for securing an anchor in a target area of the skull of a living subject to a predetermined driving depth. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument has a driver member, a bit member, a cap member that has a body portion forming a bore therein along a longitudinal axis, wherein inside the bore, a first inner surface is formed with an engagement length and a shape that is complimentary to a shaped surface of a driving engagement portion of the driver member to allow it to have a slidable engagement with the cap member, and a base member that has a body portion and an anchor engagement portion, wherein the engagement length of the first inner surface of the cap member equals the predetermined driving depth.

Abstract: The present invention, in another aspect, relates to a microstereotactic table. In one embodiment, the microstereotactic table includes a plate member having a first surface, an opposite, second surface, a body portion defined therebetween, a plurality of leg members, each of them removably engaged with the plate member, respectively, and a passage is formed between the first surface and the opposite, second surface of the body portion of the plate member and along a longitudinal axis, wherein a step is formed within the passage, and wherein the step is formed such that the distance from the step to one of the first surface and the opposite, second surface along the longitudinal axis is a predetermined length.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a surgical instrument for placing a prosthesis into a target area of a living subject. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument includes a body member, a shaft extending away from the body member for securing the prosthesis, an engaging member engaged with the body member and the shaft, for engaging the prosthesis, and an actuator connected to the engaging member, for moving between a first position in which the engaging member is disengaged from the prosthesis and a second position in which the engaging member is engaged with the prosthesis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for securing an anchor in a target area of the skull of a patient, wherein the anchor has a shaped surface, a top and a base. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument includes a driver having a first end, an opposite, second end, and a body portion defined therebetween forming a bore therein along a longitudinal axis, where the bore is configured to allow the anchor to be received therein, a first inner surface formed inside the bore proximate to the first end, wherein the first inner surface is formed with a shape that is complimentary to the shaped surface of the anchor, and a second inner surface formed inside the bore and between the first inner surface and the second end, wherein the second inner surface is formed with a shape that is different from that of the first inner surface.

Abstract: A valve includes a rotating, substantially pressure-balanced spool that selectively aligns openings within the spool with openings within a sleeve to selectively connect ports of a manifold for gas or liquid routing. A valve may also include a stem, a needle coupled to the stem. a seat configured to receive the needle, a reservoir, an outlet coupled to the reservoir, and a servo motor coupled to the stem. The servo motor rotates the stem to raise or lower the needle relative to the seat to variably restrict or allow matter flowing from the reservoir to the outlet.