Abstract: The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a shaft, a tool member, and a flexure. The shaft has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and defines a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion includes a ground portion. The tool member has an engagement portion and an actuation portion. The engagement portion is disposed distally from the actuation portion, and can exert an engagement force on a target structure. The actuation portion receives an actuation force. The flexure has a first end portion coupled to the ground portion of the shaft, and a second end portion coupled to the tool member. The flexure is configured to deform elastically when the actuation force is exerted on the actuation portion of the tool member such that the tool member rotates relative to the shaft.

Abstract: A device and methodology for cleaning optical instruments. The device includes a sheath, a wiper mechanism, and an actuator. The sheath attaches to an optical instrument such that the wiper mechanism is in proximity to a lens of the optical instrument. The wiper mechanism includes a blade and a compliant deployment system having first and second curved cross members attached to the blade and sheath such that they bias the blade in a first state where the blade is in a deployed position but can de-form allowing the blade to transition to a second state in a stored position. The actuator maintains tension on the blade to keep the blade in the second state and when the actuator releases tension on blade spring energy stored by the deformation of the curved cross members is released transitioning the blade to the first deployed position providing a wipe of the wiper mechanism.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first joint member, a second joint member, and a flexure. The first joint member includes a first connection portion and a contact surface. The second joint member including a second connection portion. A first end portion of the flexure is coupled to the first connection portion, and a second end portion of the flexure is coupled to the second connection portion. The flexure is configured to deform elastically when the first joint member and the second joint member move from a first configuration to a second configuration. When in the first configuration, the central portion of the flexure is spaced apart from the contact portion. When in the second configuration, the central portion of the flexure contacting the contact portion.

Abstract: An example deployable structure includes at least one base member, at least one first articulable member, at least one second articulable member, and at least one interference member. The deployable structure must include at least one base member, at least one first articulable member, at least one second articulable member, and at least one interference member otherwise the deployable structure may not be switchable between the compact and deployed states thereof. The base member is articulably connected to the first articulable member using a first hinge, the first articulable member is articulably connected to the second articulable member using a second hinge, and the interference member is articulably connected to the second articulable member using a third hinge. The interference member is also attached to the base member, for example, using a fourth hinge. The deployable structure is configured to switch from at least a compact state to a deployed state.

Abstract: A hollow rod developable actuator tool including a first link comprising an outer cylinder, a second link comprising a first tool member pivotably connected to the first link at a first joint mounted in a first cavity in the wall of the outer cylinder, a third link comprising a second tool member pivotably connected to the first tool member at a second link, and a fourth link comprising an inner cylinder to which the second tool member is also pivotably connected at a third link mounted in a second cavity in the wall of the inner cylinder. When the inner cylinder of the fourth link is rotated in relation to the outer cylinder of the first link the actuator tool transitions from a first state where the tool is closed to a second state where the tool is open.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first joint member, a second joint member, and a flexure. The first joint member includes a first connection portion and a contact surface. The second joint member including a second connection portion. A first end portion of the flexure is coupled to the first connection portion, and a second end portion of the flexure is coupled to the second connection portion. The flexure is configured to deform elastically when the first joint member and the second joint member move from a first configuration to a second configuration. When in the first configuration, the central portion of the flexure is spaced apart from the contact portion. When in the second configuration, the central portion of the flexure contacting the contact portion.

Abstract: Deployable Euler Spiral Connectors (DESCs) are introduced as compliant deployable flexures that can span gaps between segments in a mechanism and then lay flat when under strain in a stowed position. This paper presents models of Euler spiral beams combined in series and parallel that can be used to design compact compliant mechanisms. Constraints on the flexure parameters of DESCs are also presented. Analytic models developed for the force-deflection behavior and stress were compared to finite element analysis and experimental data. A spinal implant and a linear ratcheting system are presented as illustrative applications of DESCs.

Abstract: A device using resorbable materials to actuate, such as a device (10) for repairing pectus excavatum in a patient through activation of a bioresorbable material (40, 52).

Abstract: A hollow rod developable actuator tool including a first link comprising an outer cylinder, a deployment ring including second link comprising a first portion pivotably connected to the first link at a first joint mounted in a first cavity in the wall of the outer cylinder and a third link comprising a second tool portion pivotably connected to the first portion at a second link, and a fourth link comprising an inner cylinder to which the second portion of the deployment ring is also pivotably connected at a third link mounted in a second cavity in the wall of the inner cylinder. When the inner cylinder of the fourth link is rotated in relation to the outer cylinder of the first link the actuator tool transitions from a first state where the deployment ring is stowed within the tool to a second state where the deployment ring is deployed externally.

Abstract: A hollow rod developable actuator tool including a cylinder defining the outer circumference of the hollow rod, a first tool mechanism, and a second tool mechanism. The hollow rod developable actuator tool transitions from a first closed state wherein the first tool mechanism and second tool mechanism are contained entirely within the outer circumference of the hollow rod to a second open state wherein the first tool mechanism and second tool mechanism extent outside the outer circumference of the hollow rod.

Abstract: A hollow rod developable actuator tool including a first link comprising an outer cylinder, a second link comprising a first tool member pivotably connected to the first link at a first joint mounted in a first cavity in the wall of the outer cylinder, a third link comprising a second tool member pivotably connected to the first tool member at a second link, and a fourth link comprising an inner cylinder to which the second tool member is also pivotably connected at a third link mounted in a second cavity in the wall of the inner cylinder. When the inner cylinder of the fourth link is rotated in relation to the outer cylinder of the first link the actuator tool transitions from a first state where the tool is closed to a second state where the tool is open.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, illustratively an elastic bar, for the gradual correction of pectus excavatum in patients.

Abstract: A device and methodology for cleaning optical instruments. The device includes a sheath, a wiper mechanism, and an actuator. The sheath attaches to the optical instrument such that the wiper mechanism is in proximity to the lens of the optical instrument. The wiper mechanism includes an blade and an compliant deployment system having first and second curved cross members attached to the blade and sheath such that they bias the blade in a first state where the blade in a deployed position but can deform allowing the blade to transition to a second state in a stored position. The actuator maintains tension on the blade to keep the blade in a second state and when the actuator releases tension on the blade spring energy stored by the deformation of the curved cross members is released transitioning the blade to the first deployed position providing a wipe of the wiper mechanism.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of sample retrieval, grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an elongated member and a retention member movably coupled to the elongated member. The elongated member includes a cutting portion configured to cut a target sample when moved, and defines an internal volume within which at least a portion of the target sample can be received. The retention member includes an engagement portion configured to move between a first position and a second position when the retention member is actuated. The engagement portion is configured to extend within the internal volume to exert a force on the target sample within the internal volume when the engagement portion is in the second position.

Abstract: An example barrier can be switchable between an at least partially collapsed state and at least partially expanded state (e.g., a deployed state). For example, the barrier can be formed from a continuous sheet and a plurality of rigid sections (e.g., rigid panels) attached or incorporated into the continuous sheet. The barrier can also include a plurality of hinges, such as hinge lines, between the panels that are formed from the continuous sheet. The hinges enable the barrier to be rigid foldable (e.g., the hinges can fold and unfold while the rigid sections remain stiff and rigid) between the expanded and collapsed states.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of sample retrieval, grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an elongated member and a retention member movably coupled to the elongated member. The elongated member includes a cutting portion configured to cut a target sample when moved, and defines an internal volume within which at least a portion of the target sample can be received. The retention member includes an engagement portion configured to move between a first position and a second position when the retention member is actuated. The engagement portion is configured to extend within the internal volume to exert a force on the target sample within the internal volume when the engagement portion is in the second position.

Abstract: A deployable tube apparatus may include a spool and a flexible sheet coiled about the spool in a laterally unfurled condition. The flexible sheet may have a first lateral margin and a second lateral margin, and may be deployable from the laterally unfurled condition with the first and the second lateral margins spaced from each other to a deployed tubular condition where the first and the second lateral margins are coupled to each other to form an enclosed lumen. The deployable tube apparatus may provide lateral support to an elongated flexible instrument, such as a catheter. Methods of creating and using the deployable tube apparatus are described.

Abstract: An example deployable structure includes at least one base member, at least one first articulable member, at least one second articulable member, and at least one interference member. The deployable structure must include at least one base member, at least one first articulable member, at least one second articulable member, and at least one interference member otherwise the deployable structure may not be switchable between the compact and deployed states thereof. The base member is articulably connected to the first articulable member using a first hinge, the first articulable member is articulably connected to the second articulable member using a second hinge, and the interference member is articulably connected to the second articulable member using a third hinge. The interference member is also attached to the base member, for example, using a fourth hinge. The deployable structure is configured to switch from at least a compact state to a deployed state.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first joint member, a second joint member, and a flexure. The first joint member includes a first connection portion and a contact surface. The second joint member including a second connection portion. A first end portion of the flexure is coupled to the first connection portion, and a second end portion of the flexure is coupled to the second connection portion. The flexure is configured to deform elastically when the first joint member and the second joint member move from a first configuration to a second configuration. When in the first configuration, the central portion of the flexure is spaced apart from the contact portion. When in the second configuration, the central portion of the flexure contacting the contact portion.

Abstract: An example barrier can be switchable between an at least partially collapsed state and at least partially expanded state (e.g., a deployed state). For example, the barrier can be formed from a sheet and a plurality of rigid sections (e.g., rigid panels) attached or incorporated into the sheet. The barrier can also include a plurality of hinges, such as hinge lines, between the panels that are formed from the sheet. The hinges enable the barrier to be rigid foldable (e.g., the hinges can fold and unfold while the rigid sections remain stiff and rigid) between the expanded and collapsed states.