Abstract: A system for improved manual welding is provided. The system includes a novel nozzle for maintaining fixed electrode-work piece distance, sensors such as optical, temperature, ultrasound and the like for providing feedback on weld quality, and indicators such as a video screen indicating actual vs. desired weld characteristics (such as speed, size, position, and the like). Furthermore actuators in the device allow for control over movement either perpendicular to the weld seam, parallel to it, or both. For example an eccentric axis allows for automation of the welding weave motion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rehabilitation device which guides a patient to perform a motion with a correct spatial trajectory, by the device applying one or more pushing, assisting, reminding, responding and/or resisting forces during a motion (or intent to move) by the patient. The forces are applied by an actuator, for example, a robotic articulated arm or a spherically jointed lever. The applied forces act as a force fields, optionally continuous, which impeded and/or guides a patient. The device can be programmable with various trajectories (paths and/or velocities) and/or forces. The forces at one point in the trajectory can vary responsive to an actual trajectory by the patient and/or responsive to a rehabilitation plan and/or improvement of the patient. The device can learn a motion entered by a physiotherapist and replay it for the patient.

Abstract: Devices and methods for RF heating of food, using techniques which allow uniformity and/or controlled non-uniformity.

Abstract: A rehabilitation apparatus with at least three degrees of freedom of motion, comprising: a plurality of brakes; a motor, wherein the motor is operationally connected to the brakes; a plurality of surfaces, wherein each of a plurality of the surfaces correlates to a brake; and, wherein when the motor is activated, the brakes are selectively advanced to make contact with the surfaces causing friction between the brakes and the surfaces and thus causing variable resistance in the three degrees of freedom to the apparatus based on the extent of advancement of the brakes.

Abstract: An apparatus for muscle activation includes least one electrode adapted to deliver a neuromuscular stimulation (NMES) signal to a body portion. A controller provides a NMES signal comprising a sequence of stimulation signals to the electrode. A mechanical motion element coupled to the body portion and a mirror body portion is operatively coupled to the controller. The controller controls the NMES signal in conjunction with the mechanical motion element.

Abstract: A method of rehabilitation comprising: providing a first actuator that includes a movement mechanism capable of applying a force that interacts with a motion of a patient's limb in a volume of at least 30 cm in diameter, in at least three degrees of freedom of motion of the actuator and capable of preventing substantial motion in any point in any direction in said volume; coupling said first actuator to a first point on a human body; providing a second actuator that includes a movement mechanism capable of applying a force that interacts with a motion of a patient's limb in a volume of at least 30 cm in diameter, in at least three degrees of freedom of motion of the actuator and capable of preventing substantial motion in any point in any direction in said volume; coupling said second actuator to a second point on a human body; and applying different forces to said points using said actuators.

Abstract: Devices and methods for RF heating of food, using techniques which allow uniformity and/or controlled non-uniformity.

Abstract: A method for scoring one or more functional abilities of a patient that comprises exercising a patient according to an exercising pattern, using at least one sensor for sensing one or more manipulations of the patient during the exercising, and scoring the one or more functional abilities according to the sensed manipulations. The scoring is performed according to a visual rehabilitation evaluation scale for scoring the one or more functional abilities.

Abstract: A method for increasing metabolism of a subject's body in order to lose weight, comprising: a) contacting a part of the body with a cooling element to remove heat from the body; and b) repeating or continuing (a) so as to remove enough heat in total to lose at least 1 kilogram of body weight.

Abstract: Devices and methods for RF heating of food, using techniques which allow uniformity and/or controlled non-uniformity.

Abstract: Devices and methods for RF heating of food, using techniques which allow uniformity and/or controlled non-uniformity.

Abstract: A rehabilitation device, comprising a movement element capable of controlling at least one motion parameter of a portion of a patient; a brain monitor which generates a signal indicative of brain activity; and circuitry including a memory having stored therein rehabilitation information and which inter-relates said signal and movement of said movement element as part of a rehabilitation process which utilizes said rehabilitation information.

Abstract: A method of providing rehabilitation modalities to a plurality of patients in a multipurpose location for a fixed period of time, the method comprises designating a first plurality of patients to attend rehabilitation sessions in a first multipurpose location for a first fixed period of time, providing a plurality of rehabilitation modalities at the first multipurpose location for the first fixed period of time, and allocating the first plurality of patients at the first multipurpose location to multiple rehabilitation sessions on one or more of the plurality of rehabilitation modalities.

Abstract: A method of rehabilitation using an actuator type that includes a movement mechanism capable of applying a force that interacts with a motion of a patient's limb in a volume of at least 30 cm in diameter, in at least three degrees of freedom of motion of the actuator and capable of preventing substantial motion in any point in any direction in said volume, comprising: exercising a patient at a first place of rehabilitation selected from a bed, a wheel-chair, a clinic and a home, using an actuator of said actuator type which interacts with a motion of said patient; and second exercising said patient at a second place of rehabilitation selected from a bed, a wheel-chair, a clinic and a home using a second actuator of said actuator type which interacts with a motion of said patient; wherein said first exercising and said second exercising utilize a same movement mechanism design for moving the actuators.

Abstract: Apparatus for muscle activation, comprising: at least one electrode (138, 140, 142, 144) adapted to deliver a neuromuscular stimulation (NMES) signal to a body portion (146); at least one controller (124) adapted to provide a NMES signal comprising a sequence of stimulation signals to said at least one electrode; and a mechanical motion element (300) coupled to at least one of said body portion and a mirror body portion, wherein said mechanical motion element is operatively coupled to said at least one controller and wherein said at least one controller controls said NMES signal in conjunction with said mechanical motion element.

Abstract: A rehabilitation chair system, comprising: a seat adapted for sitting of a human thereon; at least one extender adapted to move relative to said seat; at least one sensor which generates an indication of a balance state of said human; and a controller configured to move said extender while measuring said balance state using said at least one sensor.

Abstract: A method for gait rehabilitation, comprising, identifying at least one deficient gait element; exercising said deficient gait element individually using a rehabilitation apparatus; and exercising said deficient gait element in concert with at least one other gait element using said rehabilitation apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for rehabilitating a patient who has a paretic body part, the apparatus comprising: a) at least one electromyograph (EMG) sensor adapted to being applied to a voluntary muscle of a healthy body part of the same type as the paretic body part, which at least one sensor produces at least one EMG signal; b) a neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) device adapted for stimulating at least one voluntary muscle of the paretic body part; and c) a controller which controls the NMES device, making the amplitude of stimulation of the paretic body part at least partly dependent on the EMG signal from the healthy body part.

Abstract: A rehabilitation apparatus with at least three degrees of freedom of motion, comprising: a plurality of brakes; a motor, wherein the motor is operationally connected to the brakes; a plurality of surfaces, wherein each of a plurality of the surfaces correlates to a brake; and, wherein when the motor is activated, the brakes are selectively advanced to make contact with the surfaces causing friction between the brakes and the surfaces and thus causing variable resistance in the three degrees of freedom to the apparatus based on the extent of advancement of the brakes.

Abstract: Rehabilitation apparatus, comprising: at least one motion support element adapted to support a motion of a part of a human; a generator of rhythmic audio; and a controller configured to correlate an audio output of said generator and said supported motion.