Abstract: A method for actuating a mechanism imposing a prefixed relative movement between a first and a second rigid link and a hand exoskeleton obtained by utilizing the method. The mechanism includes revolute joints and may be a parallelogram mechanism, a pantograph remote center of rotation mechanism, or a multiple-degrees-of-freedom mechanism. The method provides coaxially arranging at one or more selected revolute joints a number of idle pulleys which are greater than the number of degrees of freedom of the mechanism, the first of the selected revolute joints preferably having its rotation axis fixed with respect to the rigid link; the method also provides arranging an inextensible cable between a traction point and a terminal point on the mechanism or on the second rigid link.

Abstract: A high torque limited angle compact and lightweight actuator that comprises a driven pulley (11), a flexible tie-member (6), which is wound about the driven pulley (11), a linear actuator (7) and an inversion mechanism (8). In particular, the linear actuator (7), which is located with respect to the driven pulley (11) such that the direction is substantially tangent to it, comprises a movable element (10) that carries out a linear movement along a line according to two opposite directions (10?), (10?). The inversion mechanism is such that when an input portion (8?) moves along a line (first straight line), tangential to the driven pulley, of a certain an amount a output portion (8?) moves along another line (second straight line), which is also tangential to the driven pulley, for a same movement amount, such that the total length of the tie-member (6) is unchanged. (FIG.

Abstract: A communication method between one or more users (20 and 40) associated to respective workstations and one or more remote services (26) located in different geographic places connected by a communication network (21), capable of establishing a direct connection between a remote service agent (31) and an interface agent (28 and 43) in real time, creating a common immersive virtual environment to the users where said services are available and where said users (20 and 40) can cooperate in real time—According to this method, an user (20) comes into contact with a physic interface device (21), for example a haptic interface capable of transmitting to the user feedback signals making a virtual environment in which the user has the sensation to be immersed, connected to an interface agent (28) adapted to connect said physic interface device (21) with a connection network (27).

Abstract: Remotely actuated robotic wrist for applications in the field of teleoperation, for example for mininvasive surgical operations, comprising a distal element (3) mounted on a support (2) capable instantaneously to rotate with respect to a fixed member (5), for example by a ball joint (10) that allows three rotational degrees of freedom. In particular, the support (2) can be oriented with respect to the fixed member (5) with a redundant actuating system by arranging four forces in eccentric points, for example by means of tendons (8), and causing the rotation of the support (2) about the central post (5) by the ball joint (10). Alternatively, the support (2) can be oriented with respect to the fixed member (5) by a mechanism that reproduces the rolling of a mobile sphere, which belongs to the support, on a fixed sphere, integral to the fixed member.

Abstract: A goniometric sensor (1) for measuring the relative rotation of two objects (20,25) comprising a flexible elongated element (2) whose respective ends are connected to the two objects (20, 25) and during whose bending the length variation ?L is determined of one of the lines (15) not located at the neutral axis (10). This length variation ?L is directly proportional to the relative rotation (?) between the two bodies (20, 25) multiplied for the eccentricity (e) of the line (15) with respect to the neutral axis (10). Therefore, it is possible to determine easily the relative rotation (?) by knowing the length L and the eccentricity (e) with respect to the neutral axis 10, and measuring the length variation ?L of the line, for example by measuring the movement of the end of a cable located in a hole that contains the line.

Abstract: A device (1) for measuring the relative orientation according to at least one degree of freedom for two objects, including a constraint generator (10) suitable for causing a goniometric sensor (40) to move in a plane, having the function of measuring the variation of relative orientation of the two objects in this plane. The goniometric sensor (40) is arranged in a housing (41) that crosses longitudinally the constraint generator (10), which has high flexional stiffness in a first longitudinal plane (?) and a low flexional stiffness in a second longitudinal plane (?) orthogonal to the first (?). The sensor measures rotations in a plane and the constraint generator induces a rotation in that plane. With the device (1) a data suit (50) can be made for measuring the movement of limbs of an individual. For example, arranging three devices (10a, 10b, 10c) in series, but capable of measuring angles in orthogonal planes, the rotation can be measured of the arm (76) with respect to a shoulder (75) of an individual.

Abstract: A device (1) for measuring the relative orientation according to at least one degree of freedom for two objects, including a constraint generator (10) suitable for causing a goniometric sensor (40) to move in a plane, having the function of measuring the variation of relative orientation of the two objects in this plane. The goniometric sensor (40) is arranged in a housing (41) that crosses longitudinally the constraint generator (10), which has high flexional stiffness in a first longitudinal plane (?) and a low flexional stiffness in a second longitudinal plane (?) orthogonal to the first (?) . The sensor measures rotations in a plane and the constraint generator induces a rotation in that plane. With the device (1) a data suit (50) can be made for measuring the movement of limbs of an individual. For example, arranging three devices (10a, 10b, 10c) in series, but capable of measuring angles in orthogonal planes, the rotation can be measured of the arm (76) with respect to a shoulder (75) of an individual.

Abstract: A goniometric sensor (1) for measuring the relative rotation of two objects (20, 25) includes a flexible elongated element (2) whose respective ends are connected to the two objects (20, 25) and during whose bending the length variation ?L is determined of one of the fibers (15) not located at the neutral axis (10). This length variation ?L is directly proportional to the relative rotation (?) between the two bodies (20, 25) multiplied for the eccentricity (e) of the fiber (15) with respect to the neutral axis (10). Therefore, it is possible to determine easily the relative rotation (?) by knowing the length of rest L and the eccentricity (e) with respect to the neutral axis (10) and to measure the length variation ?L of fiber (15), for example measuring the movement of an end of a cable located in a hole that contains fiber (15).

Abstract: A device operable to supply a force feedback to a physiological unit to be sed as an advanced interface for machines and computers, including an exoskeleton which includes kinematic elements articulated about articulation axes arranged coincident with or in close proximity to the physiological axes of the physiological unit such as, for example, the flexion-extension axes of the phalanges of the fingers of a hand of an operator. A series of electrical actuators controls the degree of tension on traction cables applying a force feedback to the kinematic elements and consequently to the physiological unit, so as to simulate an interaction between the operator and a virtual object. The device includes position sensors for detecting the configuration of the physiological unit and force sensors for measuring the strength of the force locally applied thereto by the actuators controlled by a processing system.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the configuration of a distal physiological unit prises first position sensors for detecting quantities relating to the relative positions of a digit of an extremity of a limb and to the adduction-abduction of the digit. The device also comprises second position sensors for detecting quantities relating to the pronation-supination position of a distal portion of the limb, to the flexion-extension position of the wrist and to the adduction-abduction position of the wrist. The device comprises a glove structure bearing the fist sensors and an exoskeleton structure bearing the second sensors.