Abstract: A method of operating a liquid lens can include positioning a variable interface between first and second liquids in a brace position in response to a brace trigger event. The variable interface can be adjustable between (a) a rest position in which a perimeter of the variable interface is spaced from a first window of the liquid lens by a rest distance and (b) the brace position in which the perimeter of the variable interface is spaced from the first window by a brace distance. The brace distance can be greater than the rest distance. In the rest position, the variable interface can have a rest surface area. In the brace position, the variable interface can have a brace surface area. The brace surface area can be less than the rest surface area.

Abstract: A liquid lens can include a first substrate with an interior recess. A second substrate with a bore can be bonded to the first substrate, whereby the interior recess of the first substrate and the bore of the second substrate cooperatively define at least a portion of a cavity of the liquid lens. A first liquid and a second liquid can be disposed in the cavity. A variable interface can be disposed between the first liquid and the second liquid, thereby forming a variable lens. The interior recess of the first substrate can be positioned outside of a sidewall projection of a sidewall surface of the cavity through the first substrate.

Abstract: A method for exercising a joint and a limb including the following: preventing movement of an exercise device actuation member in a first direction unless pressure exerted by the limb against the actuation member is equal to or greater than a predetermined first target pressure; permitting movement of the actuation member in the first direction at a first predetermined speed when pressure exerted by the limb against the actuation member is equal to or greater than the predetermined first target pressure; preventing movement of the actuation member in a second direction unless pressure exerted by the limb against the actuation member is equal to or greater than a predetermined second target pressure; and permitting movement of the actuation member in the second direction at a second predetermined speed when pressure exerted by the limb against the actuation member is equal to or greater than the predetermined second target pressure.

Abstract: A method of operating a liquid lens can include positioning a variable interface between first and second liquids in a brace position in response to a brace trigger event. The variable interface can be adjustable between (a) a rest position in which a perimeter of the variable interface is spaced from a first window of the liquid lens by a rest distance and (b) the brace position in which the perimeter of the variable interface is spaced from the first window by a brace distance. The brace distance can be greater than the rest distance. In the rest position, the variable interface can have a rest surface area. In the brace position, the variable interface can have a brace surface area. The brace surface area can be less than the rest surface area.

Abstract: A method for exercising a joint and a limb including the following: preventing movement of an exercise device actuation member in a first direction unless force exerted by the limb against the actuation member is equal to or greater than a predetermined first target force; permitting movement of the actuation member in the first direction at a first predetermined speed when force exerted by the limb against the actuation member is equal to or greater than a predetermined first target force; preventing movement of the actuation member in a second direction unless force exerted by the limb against the actuation member is equal to or greater than a predetermined second target force; and permitting movement of the actuation member in the second direction at a second predetermined speed when force exerted by the limb against the actuation member is equal to or greater than a predetermined second target force.

Abstract: A method for exercising a joint and a limb of a patient. The method includes supporting the limb at an angle with an actuation arm of an exercise device. The actuation arm is rotatable about a rotation axis and includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is movable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The method further includes restricting movement of the second portion of the actuation arm and a foot plate at a distal end of the second portion in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis unless force exerted on the foot plate by the patient exceeds a predetermined force as measured by a foot plate load cell.

Abstract: The present teachings provide for an exercise device for exercising a joint and a limb. The device includes an actuator, a foot plate, a foot plate load cell, and a restrictor. The actuation member is rotatable about a rotation axis. The actuation member includes a first portion and a second portion that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The foot plate is at a distal end of the second portion of the actuation member. The foot plate load cell is mounted to the foot plate and is configured to measure force exerted on the foot plate. The restrictor is configured to restrict movement of the second portion of the actuation member and the foot plate at the distal end thereof in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis unless force exerted on the foot plate exceeds a predetermined force.

Abstract: The present teachings provide for an exercise device for exercising a joint and a limb. The device includes an actuator, a foot plate, a foot plate load cell, and a restrictor. The actuation member is rotatable about a rotation axis. The actuation member includes a first portion and a second portion that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The foot plate is at a distal end of the second portion of the actuation member. The foot plate load cell is mounted to the foot plate and is configured to measure force exerted on the foot plate. The restrictor is configured to restrict movement of the second portion of the actuation member and the foot plate at the distal end thereof in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis unless force exerted on the foot plate exceeds a predetermined force.

Abstract: The present teachings provide for an exercise device for exercising a joint and a limb. The device includes an actuator, a foot plate, a foot plate load cell, and a restrictor. The actuation member is rotatable about a rotation axis. The actuation member includes a first portion and a second portion that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The foot plate is at a distal end of the second portion of the actuation member. The foot plate load cell is mounted to the foot plate and is configured to measure force exerted on the foot plate. The restrictor is configured to restrict movement of the second portion of the actuation member and the foot plate at the distal end thereof in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis unless force exerted on the foot plate exceeds a predetermined force.

Abstract: The present teachings provide for an exercise device for exercising a joint and a limb. The device includes a controller, an actuation member, a load cell, and a motor. The actuation member is controlled by the controller and is configured to extend and flex the limb. The load cell is mounted to the actuation member and configured to measure force between the limb and the actuation member. The motor is configured to control movement of the actuation member in response to inputs from the controller.

Abstract: The present teachings provide for an exercise device for exercising a joint and a limb. The device includes a controller, an actuation member, a load cell, and a motor. The actuation member is controlled by the controller and is configured to extend and flex the limb. The load cell is mounted to the actuation member and configured to measure force between the limb and the actuation member. The motor is configured to control movement of the actuation member in response to inputs from the controller.

Abstract: A method, includes recording first regimen data in a controller. The first regimen data includes instructions for a therapeutic regimen. The method also includes controlling a therapeutic device in accordance with at least the first regimen data, and recording progress data representative of at least an amount of force exerted on a joint during each of a plurality of cycles and the number of cycles performed. The method also includes transmitting the progress data from the controller to a remote user, and receiving an input from the remote user containing second regimen data. The second regimen data is different from the first regimen data. The method further includes controlling the therapeutic device in accordance with at least the second regimen data.

Abstract: A method, includes recording first regimen data in a controller. The first regimen data includes instructions for a therapeutic regimen. The method also includes controlling a therapeutic device in accordance with at least the first regimen data, and recording progress data representative of at least an amount of force exerted on a joint during each of a plurality of cycles and the number of cycles performed. The method also includes transmitting the progress data from the controller to a remote user, and receiving an input from the remote user containing second regimen data. The second regimen data is different from the first regimen data. The method further includes controlling the therapeutic device in accordance with at least the second regimen data.

Abstract: A method of increasing a range of motion of a joint includes urging the joint toward an extended position using a predetermined amount of force transmitted through an apparatus. The method further includes maintaining the joint toward the extended position with the predetermined amount of force for a predetermined amount of time. The method further includes urging the joint away from the extended position and urging the joint toward the extended position using the predetermined amount of force. The method further includes maintaining the joint toward the extended position with the predetermined amount of force for the predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A method of increasing a range of motion of a joint includes urging the joint toward an extended position using a predetermined amount of force transmitted through an apparatus. The method further includes maintaining the joint toward the extended position with the predetermined amount of force for a predetermined amount of time. The method further includes urging the joint away from the extended position and urging the joint toward the extended position using the predetermined amount of force. The method further includes maintaining the joint toward the extended position with the predetermined amount of force for the predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: The invention provides an adhesive/sealant compound having an outer surface including a coating of substantially regularly shaped particles so as to reversibly detackify the outer surface. In one embodiment of the invention, an adhesive/sealant compound is provided having an outer surface comprising a coating of substantially spherical particles so as to reversibly detackify the outer surface. In another embodiment of the invention, an adhesive/sealant compound is provided having an outer surface comprising a coating of substantially spherical glass microballoons so as to reversibly detackify the outer surface wherein the spherical glass microballoons have diameters in the range of 0.2 millimeters to 0.6 millimeters. A process for packaging an adhesive/sealant compound is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides an adhesive/sealant compound having an outer surface including a coating of substantially regularly shaped particles so as to reversibly detackify the outer surface. In one embodiment of the invention, an adhesive/sealant compound is provided having an outer surface comprising a coating of substantially spherical particles so as to reversibly detackify the outer surface. In another embodiment of the invention, an adhesive/sealant compound is provided having an outer surface comprising a coating of substantially spherical glass microballoons so as to reversibly detackify the outer surface wherein the spherical glass microballoons have diameters in the range of 0.2 millimeters to 0.6 millimeters. A process for packaging an adhesive/sealant compound is also disclosed.