Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: Embodiments include a prosthetic thumb device that includes a track configured to attach to a prosthetic socket, a carriage, and a locking mechanism. The carriage can include a first component that couples to the track such that the carriage is operable to move along the track, and a second component that is configured to couple with a prosthetic digit and operable to rotate with respect to the first component. The locking mechanism can be coupled to the carriage and configured such that, in a first state, it prevents the carriage from moving along the track in a first direction and, in a second state, it allows the carriage to move along the track in the first direction. Embodiments can also include the track having a curved profile, and the carriage is operable to move along the curved profile of the track.

Abstract: Embodiments include a prosthetic thumb device that includes a track configured to attach to a prosthetic socket, a carriage, and a locking mechanism. The carriage can include a first component that couples to the track such that the carriage is operable to move along the track, and a second component that is configured to couple with a prosthetic digit and operable to rotate with respect to the first component. The locking mechanism can be coupled to the carriage and configured such that, in a first state, it prevents the carriage from moving along the track in a first direction and, in a second state, it allows the carriage to move along the track in the first direction. Embodiments can also include the track having a curved profile, and the carriage is operable to move along the curved profile of the track.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a prosthetic finger that includes a track that couples to a hand, a first phalange coupled to the track at a first joint, a second phalange coupled to the first phalange at a second joint, a third phalange coupled to the second phalange at a third joint, and a motor positioned at least partially within the second phalange. The prosthetic finger can include a first linkage positioned within the first phalange and configured to cause the first phalange to move relative to the knuckle in response to a motor output and cause the second phalange to move relative to the first phalange in response to the motor output. The prosthetic finger can include a second linkage coupling the third phalange to the second phalange and configured to cause the third phalange to move relative to the second phalange in response to the motor output.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a prosthetic finger that includes a track that couples to a hand, a first phalange coupled to the track at a first joint, a second phalange coupled to the first phalange at a second joint, a third phalange coupled to the second phalange at a third joint, and a motor positioned at least partially within the second phalange. The prosthetic finger can include a first linkage positioned within the first phalange and configured to cause the first phalange to move relative to the knuckle in response to a motor output and cause the second phalange to move relative to the first phalange in response to the motor output. The prosthetic finger can include a second linkage coupling the third phalange to the second phalange and configured to cause the third phalange to move relative to the second phalange in response to the motor output.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a prosthetic finger that includes a track that couples to a hand, a first phalange coupled to the track at a first joint, a second phalange coupled to the first phalange at a second joint, a third phalange coupled to the second phalange at a third joint, and a motor positioned at least partially within the second phalange. The prosthetic finger can include a first linkage positioned within the first phalange and configured to cause the first phalange to move relative to the knuckle in response to a motor output and cause the second phalange to move relative to the first phalange in response to the motor output. The prosthetic finger can include a second linkage coupling the third phalange to the second phalange and configured to cause the third phalange to move relative to the second phalange in response to the motor output.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved gypsum board, such as an improved sound damping gypsum board. The gypsum board comprises a gypsum core including gypsum and a sound damping polymer. The gypsum core includes a first gypsum layer surface and a second gypsum layer surface opposing the first gypsum layer surface. In addition, a first encasing layer is disposed on the first gypsum layer surface and a second encasing layer is disposed on the second gypsum layer surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved gypsum board, such as an improved sound damping gypsum board. The gypsum board comprises a gypsum core including gypsum and a sound damping polymer. The gypsum core includes a first gypsum layer surface and a second gypsum layer surface opposing the first gypsum layer surface. In addition, a first encasing layer is disposed on the first gypsum layer surface and a second encasing layer is disposed on the second gypsum layer surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved gypsum board, such as an improved sound damping gypsum board, and a method of making such gypsum board. For instance, the method comprises: providing a first encasing layer and a first sound damping layer on the first encasing layer wherein the sound damping layer includes at least 50 wt. % of a first sound damping polymer; depositing a gypsum slurry comprising stucco and water on the sound damping layer to form a gypsum core; providing a second encasing layer on the gypsum slurry; and allowing the stucco to convert to calcium sulfate dihydrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved gypsum board, such as an improved sound damping gypsum board, and a method of making such gypsum board. For instance, the method comprises: providing a first encasing layer and a first sound damping layer on the first encasing layer wherein the sound damping layer includes at least 50 wt. % of a first sound damping polymer; depositing a gypsum slurry comprising stucco and water on the sound damping layer to form a gypsum core; providing a second encasing layer on the gypsum slurry; and allowing the stucco to convert to calcium sulfate dihydrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved gypsum board, such as an improved sound damping gypsum board. The gypsum board comprises a gypsum core including gypsum and a sound damping polymer. The gypsum core includes a first gypsum layer surface and a second gypsum layer surface opposing the first gypsum layer surface. In addition, a first encasing layer is disposed on the first gypsum layer surface and a second encasing layer is disposed on the second gypsum layer surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for postural control of a multi-function prosthesis are provided. Various embodiments provide for a postural controller that use EMG signals to drive a point in a posture space and outputs continuously varying joint angles for a powered prosthetic hand. The postural controller can include an EMG signal processing unit to receive signals from electrodes for processing (e.g., band pass filtering, rectification, root mean square averaging, dynamic tuning, etc.). The processed EMG signals can then be combined or converted to produce a point in the postural control domain. The PC domain map defines the posture that corresponds to each PC cursor coordinate. This map can have limitless possible postures and limitless possible positions of the postures. The Joint Angle Transform converts the PC cursor coordinate into the joint angle array which is sent to the prosthetic hand thereby creating more natural movements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved gypsum board, such as an improved sound damping gypsum board. The gypsum board comprises a gypsum core including gypsum and a sound damping polymer. The gypsum core includes a first gypsum layer surface and a second gypsum layer surface opposing the first gypsum layer surface. In addition, a first encasing layer is disposed on the first gypsum layer surface and a second encasing layer is disposed on the second gypsum layer surface.

Abstract: Embodiments include a prosthetic thumb device that includes a track configured to attach to a prosthetic socket, a carriage, and a locking mechanism. The carriage can include a first component that couples to the track such that the carriage is operable to move along the track, and a second component that is configured to couple with a prosthetic digit and operable to rotate with respect to the first component. The locking mechanism can be coupled to the carriage and configured such that, in a first state, it prevents the carriage from moving along the track in a first direction and, in a second state, it allows the carriage to move along the track in the first direction. Embodiments can also include the track having a curved profile, and the carriage is operable to move along the curved profile of the track.

Abstract: Systems and methods for postural control of a multi-function prosthesis are provided. Various embodiments provide for a postural controller that use EMG signals to drive a point in a posture space and outputs continuously varying joint angles for a powered prosthetic hand. The postural controller can include an EMG signal processing unit to receive signals from electrodes for processing (e.g., band pass filtering, rectification, root mean square averaging, dynamic tuning, etc.). The processed EMG signals can then be combined or converted to produce a point in the postural control domain. The PC domain map defines the posture that corresponds to each PC cursor coordinate. This map can have limitless possible postures and limitless possible positions of the postures. The Joint Angle Transform converts the PC cursor coordinate into the joint angle array which is sent to the prosthetic hand thereby creating more natural movements.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to prosthetic partial finger designs that can mimic the last two joints of the finger. Some embodiments include a proximal phalange, a distal phalange coupled to the proximal phalange, and a knuckle track (e.g., formed in an arc). The knuckle track can be moveably coupled to the proximal phalange an may include multiple teeth formed on which the proximal phalange slides along. A ratcheting mechanism can contact the multiple teeth to allow sliding in only a first direction while the ratcheting mechanism is engaged. Some embodiments include a release mechanism (e.g., a button) configured to disengage the ratcheting mechanism from the multiple teeth to allow the distal phalange to slide in a second direction. In some embodiments, the device may include a spring-back capability that automatically extends the finger after reaching full finger flexion, enabling one-handed use.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to prosthetic partial finger designs that can mimic the last two joints of the finger. Some embodiments include a proximal phalange, a distal phalange coupled to the proximal phalange, and a knuckle track (e.g., formed in an arc). The knuckle track can be moveably coupled to the proximal phalange an may include multiple teeth formed on which the proximal phalange slides along. A ratcheting mechanism can contact the multiple teeth to allow sliding in only a first direction while the ratcheting mechanism is engaged. Some embodiments include a release mechanism (e.g., a button) configured to disengage the ratcheting mechanism from the multiple teeth to allow the distal phalange to slide in a second direction. In some embodiments, the device may include a spring-back capability that automatically extends the finger after reaching full finger flexion, enabling one-handed use.