Patents by Inventor Kern Bhugra

Kern Bhugra 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).

  • Patent number: 8771210
    Abstract: A multi-fit orthotic structure including an attachment system for coupling the orthotic structure to a wide variety of subjects without requiring a custom fit. In one embodiment, active mobility assistance is provided via an orthotic system capable of integrating a linear actuator and linkage system to deliver torque to the lower leg of a subject to facilitate flexion and/or extension motion of the subject's leg. The orthotic structure is attached to the subject using a textile suspension system which does not require the orthotic structure to interface directly in the knee region or at the lateral areas of the thigh and calf of the subject, thus providing an ideal fit for the widest possible range of subjects with the minimum number of required sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: AlterG, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Smith, Kern Bhugra
  • Publication number: 20130289452
    Abstract: A method of operating an exoskeleton device includes: receiving sensor information; connecting a clutch system to a pulley system in; determining whether to engage a drive train gear to the clutch system based on the sensor information; engaging the drive train gear through the clutch system when determined to engage the drive train gear; and powering a first motor to drive the drive train gear for controlling a joint or segment of exoskeleton device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Jon Smith, Kern Bhugra
  • Publication number: 20130261511
    Abstract: A therapy and mobility assistance system used by a patient that includes a leg device worn on the leg of the patient that provides assistance and/or resistance to enhance the mobility of the leg of the patient, a therapy shuttle that facilitates therapeutic extension and flexion of at least one of the joints of the leg of the patient, and an appendage fastener that selectively couples the therapy shuttle and the leg device. The therapy and mobility assistance system may additionally include a guide track that constrains motion of the therapy shuttle along a path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Jonathan A. SMITH, Edith Merle ARNOLD, Kern BHUGRA, Robert W. HORST, Richard R. MARCUS
  • Publication number: 20130079687
    Abstract: Portable devices and methods for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by assuring that the ankle is flexed and extended sufficiently to promote blood flow in the lower leg are disclosed. The device includes an actuator with a free movement mode that allows a patient to move freely between activations or to initiate movement to delay a next automatic activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Robert W. Horst, Kern Bhugra, Thomas J. Fogarty
  • Patent number: 8353854
    Abstract: Portable devices and methods for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by assuring that the ankle is flexed and extended sufficiently to promote blood flow in the lower leg are disclosed. The device includes an actuator with a free movement mode that allows a patient to move freely between activations or to initiate movement to delay a next automatic activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Tibion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Horst, Kern Bhugra
  • Publication number: 20120316475
    Abstract: An actuator system for assisting extension of a biological joint is provided with a motor assembly, a rotary-to-linear mechanism, and an extension stop. The rotary-to-linear mechanism includes a screw that accepts rotational output of the motor assembly, and a nut that cooperates with the screw to convert rotational movement of the screw to linear movement of the nut. The extension stop is driven by linear movement of the nut in an extension direction to cause extension of the biological joint. The motor assembly, the rotary-to-linear mechanism and the extension stop cooperate to allow unpowered flexion of the joint. The system is configured without a flexion stop, and is configured such that the nut cannot drive the joint in a flexion direction. Methods of use are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: TIBION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kern Bhugra, Robert W. Horst, Richard R. Marcus, Jonathan Smith
  • Publication number: 20120095377
    Abstract: A multi-fit orthotic structure including an attachment system for coupling the orthotic structure to a wide variety of subjects without requiring a custom fit. In one embodiment, active mobility assistance is provided via an orthotic system capable of integrating a linear actuator and linkage system to deliver torque to the lower leg of a subject to facilitate flexion and/or extension motion of the subject's leg. The orthotic structure is attached to the subject using a textile suspension system which does not require the orthotic structure to interface directly in the knee region or at the lateral areas of the thigh and calf of the subject, thus providing an ideal fit for the widest possible range of subjects with the minimum number of required sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan Smith, Kern Bhugra
  • Patent number: 8058823
    Abstract: An actuator system for extending and flexing a joint, including a multi-motor assembly for providing a rotational output, a rotary-to-linear mechanism for converting the rotational output from the multi-motor assembly into an extension and flexion of the joint, and a controller for operating the actuator system in several operational modes. The multi-motor assembly preferably combines power from two different sources, such that the multi-motor assembly can supply larger forces at slower speeds (“Low Gear”) and smaller forces at higher speeds (“High Gear”). The actuator has been specifically designed for extending and flexing a joint (such as an ankle, a knee, an elbow, or a shoulder) of a human. The actuator system may, however, be used to move any suitable object through any suitable movement (linear, rotational, or otherwise).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Tibion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Horst, Kern Bhugra, Robert L. Jardine
  • Patent number: 8052629
    Abstract: A multi-fit orthotic structure including an attachment system for coupling the orthotic structure to a wide variety of subjects without requiring a custom fit. In one embodiment, active mobility assistance is provided via an orthotic system capable of integrating a linear actuator and linkage system to deliver torque to the lower leg of a subject to facilitate flexion and/or extension motion of the subject's leg. The orthotic structure is attached to the subject using a textile suspension system which does not require the orthotic structure to interface directly in the knee region or at the lateral areas of the thigh and calf of the subject, thus providing an ideal fit for the widest possible range of subjects with the minimum number of required sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Tibion Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Smith, Kern Bhugra
  • Publication number: 20100204620
    Abstract: A therapy and mobility assistance system used by a patient that includes a leg device worn on the leg of the patient that provides assistance and/or resistance to enhance the mobility of the leg of the patient, a therapy shuttle that facilitates therapeutic extension and flexion of at least one of the joints of the leg of the patient, and an appendage fastener that selectively couples the therapy shuttle and the leg device. The therapy and mobility assistance system may additionally include a guide track that constrains motion of the therapy shuttle along a path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Smith, Edith Merle Arnold, Kern Bhugra, Robert W. Horst, Richard R. Marcus
  • Publication number: 20100198124
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the apparatus for controlling the motion of a joint of a user includes a physiological sensor that measures a physiological property of the user, an orthosis that controls the motion of the joint of the user, an orthosis sensor that monitors a physical property of the orthosis, and a processing unit that processes data from the physiological sensor and from the orthosis sensor. In another embodiment, the method for controlling the motion of a joint of a user includes measuring a physiological property of the user with a physiological sensor, controlling motion of the joint of the user with an orthosis, monitoring a physical property of the orthosis with an orthosis sensor, and processing data from the physiological sensor and from the orthosis sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Kern Bhugra
  • Publication number: 20100039052
    Abstract: An actuator system for extending and flexing a joint, including a multi-motor assembly for providing a rotational output, a rotary-to-linear mechanism for converting the rotational output from the multi-motor assembly into an extension and flexion of the joint, and a controller for operating the actuator system in several operational modes. The multi-motor assembly preferably combines power from two different sources, such that the multi-motor assembly can supply larger forces at slower speeds (“Low Gear”) and smaller forces at higher speeds (“High Gear”). The actuator has been specifically designed for extending and flexing a joint (such as an ankle, a knee, an elbow, or a shoulder) of a human. The actuator system may, however, be used to move any suitable object through any suitable movement (linear, rotational, or otherwise).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Robert W. Horst, Kern Bhugra, Robert L. Jardine
  • Publication number: 20100038983
    Abstract: One of the embodiments of the invention is an actuator system for extending and flexing a joint. The actuator system includes a multi-motor assembly for providing a rotational output, a rotary-to-linear mechanism including a screw that accepts the rotational output of the multi-motor assembly and a nut that cooperates with the screw to convert rotational movement of the screw to linear movement of the nut, and a moving rail with a latch that functions to translate linear movement of the nut in both the extension and flexion directions into an extension and flexion of the joint. The actuator has been specifically designed for extending and flexing a joint (such as an ankle, a knee, an elbow, or a shoulder) of a human. The actuator system may, however, be used to move any suitable object through any suitable movement (linear, rotational, or otherwise).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Kern Bhugra, Robert W. Horst, Richard R. Marcus, Jonathan Smith
  • Publication number: 20090204038
    Abstract: A multi-fit orthotic structure including an attachment system for coupling the orthotic structure to a wide variety of subjects without requiring a custom fit. In one embodiment, active mobility assistance is provided via an orthotic system capable of integrating a linear actuator and linkage system to deliver torque to the lower leg of a subject to facilitate flexion and/or extension motion of the subject's leg. The orthotic structure is attached to the subject using a textile suspension system which does not require the orthotic structure to interface directly in the knee region or at the lateral areas of the thigh and calf of the subject, thus providing an ideal fit for the widest possible range of subjects with the minimum number of required sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Tibion Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Smith, Kern Bhugra
  • Publication number: 20080195005
    Abstract: Portable devices and methods for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by assuring that the ankle is flexed and extended sufficiently to promote blood flow in the lower leg are disclosed. The device includes an actuator with a free movement mode that allows a patient to move freely between activations or to initiate movement to delay a next automatic activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Robert W. Horst, Kern Bhugra, Thomas J. Fogarty
  • Publication number: 20070180292
    Abstract: Differential rebuild in a storage environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes applying a fault-tolerant algorithm (e.g., a redundant array of independent disk (RAID) level 1, level 3, level 4, level 5, level 6, level 10, level 30, level 50, and/or level 60 algorithm) to process commands associated with at least one storage device of a disk array that is disengaged, and applying write data captured while the at least one storage device was disengaged to the at least one storage device when it is reengaged. The method may include rebuilding the data state before (e.g., and/or when) the storage device was disengaged on a replacement device (e.g., a full rebuild) or may include a differential rebuild (e.g. the applying write data captured while the at least one storage device was disengaged may be performed on the at least one storage device when it is reengaged).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventor: Kern Bhugra
  • Publication number: 20060161805
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for rebuilding only changed stripes of an offline member disk in a RAID array that is configured with redundancy and no hot standby disk. A work-in-progress (“WIP”) map tracks the changed stripes of the offline member disk prior to a reactivation and records the completion of the differential rebuilding (“DR”) process on the stripes. The DR process shortens the duration of a degraded mode of operation entered into by a logical drive formed when the RAID array experiences a member disk failure that results in one member disk being designated as offline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Charlie Tseng, Kern Bhugra