Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for optimizing a protective helmet or other item of protective clothing with one or more enhanced principal impact zones and/or impact elements that incorporate protective features that can be particularized to a specific player-position and/or the individual behavior of a specific player or wearer.

Abstract: A garment worn by a wearer has an exterior shell and an interior shell with various impact absorbing material between the exterior shell and the interior shell. The impact absorbing material includes multiple structures, such as rods or filaments, capable of deforming when force is applied then returning to its state prior to application of the force. In various embodiments, a rate sensitive material (RSM) is positioned in one or more locations relative to the exterior shell and the interior shell of the garment to further attenuate impacts to the garment. The RSM changes its resistance to force based on a rate at which the material is loaded.

Abstract: The releasable impact mitigating fasteners is an adaptable mechanism that may be used as the main energy management source and/or be used as a supplemental energy management source. The improved releasable impact mitigating fasteners are easily incorporated into protective devices such as helmets and/or other protective gear for a variety of activities, applications and/or industries, that require enhanced impact absorption, reusability, and/or quick release capabilities under specifically designed impact loads, etc. Each of the releasable impact mitigating fasteners comprise a first end, a second end and an impact mitigation structure. The first end comprises a face plate, the second end may comprise at least one flange. Each of the releasable impact mitigating fasteners may further comprise a base.

Abstract: A garment worn by a wearer has an exterior shell and an interior shell with various impact absorbing material between the exterior shell and the interior shell. The impact absorbing material includes multiple structures, such as rods or filaments, capable of deforming when force is applied then returning to its state prior to application of the force. In various embodiments, a rate sensitive material (RSM) is positioned in one or more locations relative to the exterior shell and the interior shell of the garment to further attenuate impacts to the garment. The RSM changes its resistance to force based on a rate at which the material is loaded.

Abstract: A helmet includes an outer shell with an inner and outer surface, a first impact mitigation layer of a first stiffness coupled to the inner surface of the outer shell, a supplemental shell coupled to the outer surface of the outer shell, and a second impact mitigation layer having a second stiffness positioned between the outer surface of the outer shell and an inner surface of the supplemental shell. The supplemental shell can flex from a first position to a second position upon impact to the supplemental shell. A difference between the first stiffness and second stiffness allows the first and second impact mitigation layers to absorb impacts of different impact force. The supplemental protection component can be optimized for protection against impacts experienced by a particular position, including the location on the helmet, shape, materials, and impact mitigation structures.

Abstract: A three-dimensional microlattice layer comprising a plurality of interconnected filaments extending along at least three different directions from a plurality of nodes. The microlattice layer may further comprise at least one material layer extending laterally between and interconnecting at least two or more nodes. The at least one material layer may be configured to transversely and rotationally constrain the nodes to increase the overall compressive strength and stiffness of the microlattice structure. The at least one material layer may comprise a single, continuous layer and/or a plurality of material layer segments. The microlattice layer may comprise a single, continuous layer or a plurality of microlattice layer segments. The microlattice layer may be stacked, the stacked microlattice layers may further comprise one or more material layers and/or one or more impact mitigation layers.

Abstract: A microlattice structure may be used for a variety of different applications with a protective helmet assembly. The three-dimensional microlattice layer comprising a plurality of interconnected filaments extending along at least three different directions from a plurality of nodes. The microlattice layer may further comprise at least one material layer extending laterally between and interconnecting at least two or more nodes. The at least one material layer may be configured to transversely and rotationally constrain the nodes to increase the overall compressive strength and stiffness of the microlattice structure. The at least one material layer may comprise a single, continuous layer and/or a plurality of material layer segments. The microlattice layer may comprise a single, continuous layer or a plurality of microlattice layer segments. The microlattice layer may be stacked, the stacked microlattice layers may further comprise one or more material layers and/or one or more impact mitigation layers.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for optimizing a protective helmet or other item of protective clothing with one or more enhanced principal impact zones and/or impact elements that incorporate protective features that can be particularized to a specific player-position and/or the individual behavior of a specific player or wearer.

Abstract: A garment worn by a wearer has an exterior shell and an interior shell with various impact absorbing material between the exterior shell and the interior shell. The impact absorbing material includes multiple structures, such as rods or filaments, capable of deforming when force is applied then returning to its state prior to application of the force. In various embodiments, a rate sensitive material (RSM) is positioned in one or more locations relative to the exterior shell and the interior shell of the garment to further attenuate impacts to the garment. The RSM changes its resistance to force based on a rate at which the material is loaded.

Abstract: The releasable impact mitigating fasteners is an adaptable mechanism that may be used as the main energy management source and/or be used as a supplemental energy management source. The improved releasable impact mitigating fasteners are easily incorporated into protective devices such as helmets and/or other protective gear for a variety of activities, applications and/or industries, that require enhanced impact absorption, reusability, and/or quick release capabilities under specifically designed impact loads, etc. Each of the releasable impact mitigating fasteners comprise a first end, a second end and an impact mitigation structure. The first end comprises a face plate, the second end may comprise at least one flange. Each of the releasable impact mitigating fasteners may further comprise a base.

Abstract: A garment worn by a wearer has an exterior shell and an interior shell with various impact absorbing material between the exterior shell and the interior shell. The impact absorbing material includes multiple structures, such as rods or filaments, capable of deforming when force is applied then returning to its state prior to application of the force. In various embodiments, a rate sensitive material (RSM) is positioned in one or more locations relative to the exterior shell and the interior shell of the garment to further attenuate impacts to the garment. The RSM changes its resistance to force based on a rate at which the material is loaded.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, procedures and devices incorporating a variety of impact absorbing structures (IAS) and/or buckling structure arrays into protective garments, vests and/or other items, which can greatly enhance wearer comfort, improve garment durability, improve wearer athletic performance, reduce cost of manufacture and/or minimize impact forces and trauma to the wearer's body.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, procedures and devices incorporating a variety of impact absorbing structures (IAS) and/or buckling structure arrays into shoes, sneakers and/or other footwear, which can greatly enhance wearer comfort, improve shoe durability, improve athletic performance, reduce cost of manufacture and/or minimize impact forces to the foot, legs and/or lower body. Included herein are various types of footwear, foot coverings, lower extremity garments and related orthopedic sleeves and/or orthotics.

Abstract: A garment worn by a wearer has an exterior shell and an interior shell with various impact absorbing material between the exterior shell and the interior shell. The impact absorbing material includes multiple structures, such as rods or filaments, capable of deforming when force is applied then returning to its state prior to application of the force. In various embodiments, a rate sensitive material (RSM) is positioned in one or more locations relative to the exterior shell and the interior shell of the garment to further attenuate impacts to the garment. The RSM changes its resistance to force based on a rate at which the material is loaded.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing image acquisition and/or image display in a limited region of interest (ROI). The apparatus comprises a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS), preferably integrating a light source, a cantilever, a lens, an actuator, a light detector, and a position sensor. The light source provides light for illuminating the ROI, displaying an image, providing a therapy, and/or performing other functions. The cantilever comprises a resin waveguide with a fixed end attached to a substrate that supports many or all other components. A free end of the cantilever is released from the substrate during fabrication and includes the lens. The actuator scans the free end in orthogonal directions to illuminate the ROI or display an image. The position sensors detect the position of the free end for control. The light detector receives light backscattered from the ROI separate from, or at the fixed end of the cantilever.

Abstract: A distal end of a flexible catheter can be selectively deflected in a desired direction by actuating one or more actuators that extend outwardly of an exterior surface of the catheter. Each actuator can be a balloon disposed within a non-extendible balloon or sheath. Inflation of one (or both) of the balloon and the non-extendible balloon with a pressurized fluid can deflect the distal tip of the catheter. Another actuator embodiment comprises a strip of a bimorph material that bends outwardly when actuated, e.g., by heat, applying a force against adjacent tissue to deflect the distal tip. Yet another embodiment includes a strip of material that shortens when heated and can be coupled to a balloon that is inflated outwardly to increase a radial moment arm of the force applied thereby, relative to a neutral axis of the catheter, to more readily deflect the distal tip.

Abstract: A scanning fiber endoscope (SFE) disposed at the distal end of a flexible, small diameter imaging probe is inserted through a relatively small opening and into a larger volume, such as the bladder. Actuators disposed adjacent to the distal end of the imaging probe are selectively activated to bend the distal end of the imaging probe to assist in positioning and orienting the SFE at a plurality of points selected to image substantially all of at least a desired portion of the interior surface of the volume. The insertion depth, bending arc, and rotational position of the imaging probe can be manually and/or automatically controlled. The user can inspect the images to determine if a desired portion of the surface has been imaged and can thus ensure that a tumor or other characteristic of the surface is not overlooked due to a failure to image it.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a distributed pressure and shear stress sensor includes a flexible substrate, such as PDMS, with a waveguide formed thereon. Along the waveguide path are several Bragg gratings. Each Bragg grating has a characteristic Bragg wavelength that shifts in response to an applied load due to elongation/compression of the grating. The wavelength shifts are monitored using a single input and a single output for the waveguide to determine the amount of applied pressure on the gratings. To measure shear stress, two flexible substrates with the waveguide and Bragg gratings are placed on top of each other such that the waveguides and gratings are perpendicular to each other. To fabricate the distributive pressure and shear sensor, a unique micro-molding technique is used wherein gratings are stamped into PDMS, for example.

Abstract: A vibration-isolating pallet and method of construction thereof are presented. A load bearing platform is oriented along a horizontal plane to form a substantially level upper surface that can be configured to receive a load. A base is oriented under the load bearing platform and along the horizontal plane to form a lower surface that can be configured to maintain a stationary position when placed on a level surface. A suspension system is fixedly interposed between the load bearing platform and the base. The suspension system is structured to allow relative motion between the load bearing platform and the base.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, an ultra high speed miniature image acquisition system based on a scanning light beam for use with clinical endoscopic imaging applications, for example.