Abstract: A band configured to wrap around and be secured to an object includes at least three members pivotably connected to one another so as to be pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the first member including an outwardly disposed face defining an imaginary plane and each of the second and third members including an actuator prong that extends outwardly beyond the imaginary plane when in the open position and that is retracted to no longer extend outwardly beyond the imaginary plane when in the closed position. Movement of the object into contact with the first member so as to exert actuation forces toward the outwardly disposed face when the actuator prongs are in contact with a surface causes the second and third members to move from the open position to the closed position due to forces created between the actuator prongs and the surface.

Abstract: A band has at least one actuator including first and second members connected to one another so as to be pivotable between open and closed positions. The first member includes a pair of deformable beams, each having a protuberance extending therefrom. The second member includes a series of ridges and valleys formed therein that are sized, shaped and positioned to cooperate with the protuberances extending from the beams. In the open position and the closed position, the protuberances align with the valleys, such that the beams are in a relaxed state and generally parallel with each other, and when the first and second members are pivoted to positions between the open and closed positions, the protuberances cooperate with the ridges, such that the beams are elastically deformed so as to no longer be parallel with each other, and so as to store strain energy.

Abstract: A band configured to wrap around and be secured to an object includes at least three members pivotably connected to one another so as to be pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the first member including an outwardly disposed face defining an imaginary plane and each of the second and third members including an actuator prong that extends outwardly beyond the imaginary plane when in the open position and that is retracted to no longer extend outwardly beyond the imaginary plane when in the closed position. Movement of the object into contact with the first member so as to exert actuation forces toward the outwardly disposed face when the actuator prongs are in contact with a surface causes the second and third members to move from the open position to the closed position due to forces created between the actuator prongs and the surface.

Abstract: A band configured to wrap around and be secured to an object includes at least three members pivotably connected to one another so as to be pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the first member including an outwardly disposed face defining an imaginary plane and each of the second and third members including an actuator prong that extends outwardly beyond the imaginary plane when in the open position and that is retracted to no longer extend outwardly beyond the imaginary plane when in the closed position. Movement of the object into contact with the first member so as to exert actuation forces toward the outwardly disposed face when the actuator prongs are in contact with a surface causes the second and third members to move from the open position to the closed position due to forces created between the actuator prongs and the surface.

Abstract: A band includes a pair of members moveable between an open position adapted to receive an article in a channel and a closed position adapted to retain the article within the channel. Each of the members includes a plurality of pivotally attached bistable compliant links, such that when the links are pivoted past a threshold position toward the closed position, the links are biased toward the closed position and such that when the links are pivoted past the threshold position toward the open position, the links are biased toward the open position. An actuator linkage is pivotally connected to at least one of the links, the actuator linkage including an engagement end protruding into the channel when the members are in the open position, such that movement of the article into the channel causes the article to contact and exert actuation forces on the engagement end.

Abstract: A band includes a pair of members moveable between an open position adapted to receive an article in a channel and a closed position adapted to retain the article within the channel. Each of the members includes a plurality of pivotally attached bistable compliant links, such that when the links are pivoted past a threshold position toward the closed position, the links are biased toward the closed position and such that when the links are pivoted past the threshold position toward the open position, the links are biased toward the open position. An actuator linkage is pivotally connected to at least one of the links, the actuator linkage including an engagement end protruding into the channel when the members are in the open position, such that movement of the article into the channel causes the article to contact and exert actuation forces on the engagement end.

Abstract: A band includes at least three members pivotably connected to one another so as to be pivotable between open and closed positions. A first member includes first and second permanent magnets disposed at opposite ends thereof, a second member includes a third permanent magnet and a third member includes a fourth permanent magnet. The first and second members are configured such that when they are pivoted with respect to each other past a threshold position toward the closed position, they are biased toward the closed position by forces created by the first and third magnets and when they are pivoted with respect to each other past the threshold position toward the open position, they are biased toward the open position by forces created by the first and third magnets. The first and third members are similarly biased by forces created by the second and fourth magnets.

Abstract: An interferential current therapy kit for treatment of a patient following an orthopedic shoulder surgery includes, within a container for facilitating the distribution and transport of the kit, a first plurality of electrodes, a second plurality of electrodes and an interferential current therapy control unit. The interferential current therapy control unit is configured to supply interferential current electrical impulses, via the electrodes, so as to give rise to at least one first beat impulse acting on the suprascapular nerve of the patient and so as to give rise to the at least one second beat impulse acting on at least one of an axillary nerve and a supraclavicular nerve of the patient.

Abstract: An interferential current therapy kit for treatment of a patient following an orthopedic surgery, includes, within a container for facilitating the distribution and transport of the kit, one or multiple control units including a stimulation power supply and a plurality of electrodes configured to be in electrical communication with the stimulation power supply. The plurality of electrodes are configured to be disposed on an epidermis of the patient and arranged to supply transcutaneous electrical impulses to a therapeutic target area when supplied power by the stimulation power supply employing an interferential current therapy technique. The kit also includes an electrode placement aid adapted to assist the health care provider and team, and the patient with placement of the plurality of electrodes with respect to the site of the previous orthopedic surgery, thereby increasing a likelihood of efficacious and safe placement of the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: A medical wound covering for controlling blood flow includes a flexible sheet for covering or surrounding the anatomical site of a wound, such as a surgical drape. The flexible sheet includes a plurality of electrodes electrically connectible to a stimulation power supply. Upon receipt of power from the stimulation power supply, the electrodes supply electrical impulses to the anatomical site of the wound in order to stem or arrest undesired bleeding. In some cases, the stimulation power supply is an interferential therapy power supply, and a pair of electrodes supplies electrical impulses at two different frequencies, the electrical impulses provided at two different frequencies giving rise to at least one beat impulse having an interference frequency. The beat impulse activates the sympathetic nerves to induce vasoconstriction in the local blood vessels. Alternatively, the beat impulse can be programmed to target the parasympathetic nerves if vasodilatation is desired.

Abstract: An interferential current system for performing a therapeutic procedure includes a controller, a stimulation power supply and at least one sensor providing patient derived sensor feedback to the controller. The system also includes at least two electrodes disposed on an epidermis of the patient and arranged to supply transcutaneous electrical impulses to a therapeutic target area when supplied power by the stimulation power supply. The electrodes supply impulses at two different frequencies, giving rise to at least one beat impulse having an interference frequency. The controller generates a patient specific model based at least in part on the sensor feedback, the patient specific model indicative of at least one of: electrode placement appropriate for the transcutaneous electrical impulses to reach the therapeutic target area, appropriate magnitudes of the at least two different frequencies, appropriate magnitude of the interference frequency, and appropriate sweep frequencies.

Abstract: A medical wound covering for controlling blood flow includes a flexible sheet for covering or surrounding the anatomical site of a wound, such as a surgical drape. The flexible sheet includes a plurality of electrodes electrically connectible to a stimulation power supply. Upon receipt of power from the stimulation power supply, the electrodes supply electrical impulses to the anatomical site of the wound in order to stem or arrest undesired bleeding. In some cases, the stimulation power supply is an interferential therapy power supply, and a pair of electrodes supplies electrical impulses at two different frequencies, the electrical impulses provided at two different frequencies giving rise to at least one beat impulse having an interference frequency. The beat impulse activates the sympathetic nerves to induce vasoconstriction in the local blood vessels. Alternatively, the beat impulse can be programmed to target the parasympathetic nerves if vasodilatation is desired.

Abstract: An interferential current system for performing a therapeutic procedure includes a controller, a stimulation power supply and at least one sensor providing patient derived sensor feedback to the controller. The system also includes at least two electrodes disposed on an epidermis of the patient and arranged to supply transcutaneous electrical impulses to a therapeutic target area when supplied power by the stimulation power supply. The electrodes supply impulses at two different frequencies, giving rise to at least one beat impulse having an interference frequency. The controller generates a patient specific model based at least in part on the sensor feedback, the patient specific model indicative of at least one of: electrode placement appropriate for the transcutaneous electrical impulses to reach the therapeutic target area, appropriate magnitudes of the at least two different frequencies, appropriate magnitude of the interference frequency, and appropriate sweep frequencies.

Abstract: An interferential current system for cardiac treatment of a patient, includes a controller, a stimulation power supply and a plurality of electrodes. The electrodes supply transcutaneous electrical impulses when supplied power by the stimulation power supply, the plurality of electrodes including at least two electrodes supplying transcutaneous electrical impulses at two different frequencies, the transcutaneous electrical impulses provided at two different frequencies giving rise to at least one beat impulse having an interference frequency. At least one sensor in communication with the controller provides data to the controller indicative of various cardiac pathologic conditions, including but not limited to, rhythm abnormalities, muscle wall contraction abnormalities, and ischemic heart disease abnormalities of the patient.

Abstract: A closure device including a beam, a catch at a distal end of the beam, a hinge connected to the beam, the hinge including a bi-stable spring and a shape memory element, and a controller connected to the shape memory element, the controller selectively delivering power to the shape memory element to change a state of the bi-stable spring.

Abstract: A device covering for controlling blood flow includes a cuff configured to be mounted to an extremity of a patient. The cuff includes a plurality of electrodes electrically connectible to a stimulation power supply. Upon receipt of power from the stimulation power supply, the electrodes supply electrical impulses to the anatomical site in order to stem or stop blood flow. In some cases, the stimulation power supply is an interferential therapy power supply, and a pair of electrodes supplies electrical impulses at two different frequencies, the electrical impulses provided at two different frequencies giving rise to at least one beat impulse having an interference frequency. The beat impulse activates the sympathetic nerves to induce vasoconstriction in the local blood vessels. Alternatively, the beat impulse can be programmed to target the parasympathetic nerves if vasodilatation is desired.

Abstract: A device for assisting a patient suffering from a condition that inhibits the patient from achieving spontaneous and controlled micturition includes a controller, a stimulation power supply, a sensor providing sensor feedback indicative of a level of fullness of a bladder of the patient and a plurality of electrodes. The electrodes are disposed on an epidermis of the patient and are arranged to supply transcutaneous electrical impulses that cause contraction of the bladder and relaxation of a urinary sphincter of the patient when supplied power by the stimulation power supply. The controller causes the stimulation power supply to supply power to the plurality of electrodes in response to a determination being made that the level of fullness of the bladder has exceeded a threshold level, thereby causing the plurality of electrodes to supply the transcutaneous electrical impulses in order to trigger micturition.

Abstract: A closure device including a beam, a catch at a distal end of the beam, a hinge connected to the beam, the hinge including a bi-stable spring and a shape memory element, and a controller connected to the shape memory element, the controller selectively delivering power to the shape memory element to change a state of the bi-stable spring.

Abstract: Provided is a self-fitting and automatically adjustable footwear wherein the shoe upper and/or shoe tongue have or are attached to a shape memory material (“SMM”). Upon stimulation, the SMM deforms and brings the footwear to self-assemble about a foot, which further brings two clasp members close to each other and facilitates the clasp thereof to form a self-assembled and closed footwear. The clasp members may be integrated with straps or shoelaces, and optionally SMM. The footwear may include a motor, a control unit, and sensors which enable a motor-actuated fine tensioning of the footwear. A push button to enable manual opening of the footwear may be affixed on the footwear or removably attached to multiple surfaces/locations. The entire assembly generates data transmittable to health care providers and other data trackers. The footwear may include a battery, which may be charged by placing the footwear on a charge dock station.

Abstract: Provided is a self-fitting and automatically adjustable footwear wherein the shoe upper and/or shoe tongue have or are attached to a shape memory material (‘SMM”). Upon stimulation, the SMM deforms and brings the footwear to self-assemble about a foot, which further brings two clasp members close to each other and facilitates the clasp thereof to form a self-assembled and closed footwear. The clasp members may be integrated with straps or shoelaces, and optionally SMM. The footwear may include a motor, a control unit, and sensors which enable a motor-actuated fine tensioning of the footwear. A push button to enable manual opening of the footwear may be affixed on the footwear or removably attached to multiple surfaces/locations. The entire assembly generates data transmittable to health care providers and other data trackers. The footwear may include a battery, which may be charged by placing the footwear on a charge dock station.