Abstract: A powered orthotic device for use with a limb having at least two joints includes at least two brace sub-assemblies. The first brace sub-assembly includes a first powered actuator assembly that receives a first sensor signal from a sensor selected from a group consisting of an electromyographic sensor, an inertial measurement unit, and combinations thereof. The first powered actuator assembly applies a first force for driving sections positioned with respect to a first joint to move relative to one another. The second brace sub-assembly includes a second powered actuator assembly that is configured to receive a second sensor signal from a sensor selected from a group consisting of an electromyographic sensor, an inertial measurement unit, and combinations thereof. The second powered actuator assembly applies a second force for driving sections positioned with respect to a second joint to move relative to one another.

Abstract: A powered orthotic device includes a brace, a finger engagement member, a thumb engagement member, and a hand actuator. The powered orthotic device includes an affixment member affixed to the brace, and a finger carrier assembly with a finger carrier to engage the fingers of the wearer, as well as a locking mechanism configured to be removably attached to the affixment member. The wearer dons the orthotic device, without assistance from another, by placing the set of fingers into the finger carrier and using a free hand of the wearer to affix the locking mechanism to the affixment member.

Abstract: A powered orthotic device includes a brace, a finger engagement member, a thumb engagement member, and a hand actuator. The powered orthotic device includes a locking mechanism affixed to the brace, and a finger carrier assembly with a finger carrier to engage the fingers of the wearer, as well as an affixment member configured to be removably attached to the locking mechanism. The wearer dons the orthotic device, without assistance from another, by placing the set of fingers into the finger carrier and using a free hand of the wearer to affix the affixment member to the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A compact, powered, orthotic device for pediatric use enables the user to control relative motion of the upper arm and the forearm about the elbow and grasping motions of the thumb and fingers. The device is powered by a set of battery-driven, backdrivable linear actuators that are positioned remotely from an arm of the subject. Control of motion of the device by the subject occurs by means of electromyographic signals from a sensor array in contact with skin on the arm of the subject. The sensors in the sensor array may be held in place on the forearm, on the upper arm, or at any other convenient location on the arm.

Abstract: A powered orthotic device for use with a limb having at least two joints includes at least two brace sub-assemblies. The first brace sub-assembly includes a first powered actuator assembly that receives a first sensor signal from a sensor selected from a group consisting of an electromyographic sensor, an inertial measurement unit, and combinations thereof. The first powered actuator assembly applies a first force for driving sections positioned with respect to a first joint to move relative to one another. The second brace sub-assembly includes a second powered actuator assembly that is configured to receive a second sensor signal from a sensor selected from a group consisting of an electromyographic sensor, an inertial measurement unit, and combinations thereof. The second powered actuator assembly applies a second force for driving sections positioned with respect to a second joint to move relative to one another.

Abstract: A powered orthotic device for use with a limb having at least two joints includes at least two brace sub-assemblies. The first brace sub-assembly includes a first powered actuator assembly that receives a first sensor signal from an electromyographic sensor. The first powered actuator assembly applies a first force for driving sections positioned with respect to a first joint to move relative to one another. The second brace sub-assembly includes a second powered actuator assembly that is configured to receive a second sensor signal from a sensor selected from a group consisting of an electromyographic sensor, an inertial measurement unit, and combinations thereof. The second powered actuator assembly applies a second force for driving sections positioned with respect to a second joint to move relative to one another. The second force is based on the first sensor signal or the second sensor signal.

Abstract: A grasp control system assists an operator with a grasping movement task. A movement intention signal is monitored for a grasping movement muscle of the operator. A volitional operator input for the grasping movement task is identified from the movement intention signal. One or more movement motors are operated based on the volitional operator input to perform the grasping movement task as a chain of motion primitives, wherein each motion primitive is a fundamental unit of grasping motion defined along a movement path with a single degree of freedom.

Abstract: A powered orthotic device includes a brace, a finger engagement member, a thumb engagement member, and a hand actuator. The powered orthotic device includes a locking mechanism affixed to the brace, and a finger carrier assembly with a finger carrier to engage the fingers of the wearer, as well as an affixment member configured to be removably attached to the locking mechanism. The wearer dons the orthotic device, without assistance from another, by placing the set of fingers into the finger carrier and using a free hand of the wearer to affix the affixment member to the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A powered orthotic device for use with a limb having at least two joints includes at least two brace sub-assemblies. The first brace sub-assembly includes a first powered actuator assembly that receives a first sensor signal from an electromyographic sensor. The first powered actuator assembly applies a first force for driving sections positioned with respect to a first joint to move relative to one another. The second brace sub-assembly includes a second powered actuator assembly that is configured to receive a second sensor signal from a sensor selected from a group consisting of an electromyographic sensor, an inertial measurement unit, and combinations thereof. The second powered actuator assembly applies a second force for driving sections positioned with respect to a second joint to move relative to one another. The second force is based on the first sensor signal or the second sensor signal.

Abstract: A catheter system allows for percutaneous intervention on the fast-moving structures inside the heart. The device consists of a steerable catheter sheath, an actuated, multi-degree of freedom moving catheter, and a catheter end effector, such as a fixation device. An actuator controls the motion of the catheter guide-wire in the catheter sheath to follow the motion of the target tissue. A control system controls the actuator and compensates for mechanical characteristics of the system including friction and backlash. A 3-D imaging system can be used to view the motion of the target tissue and the catheter end effector and produce 3-D imaging data. The 3-D imaging data can be used by the control system to track the target tissue and accurately position the end effector with respect to the moving target tissue allowing a clinician to repair the target tissue while it is moving.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for macerating and removing tissue. In general, a maceration device is provided that can be distally advanced into a body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure and positioned proximate to tissue desirable for removal from the body. The maceration device can include an elongate shaft having a cutting element positioned on the shaft's side (i.e., not located on a distal tip of the elongate shaft). The cutting element can rotate to macerate tissue. When being introduced to the body, an elongate axis of the elongate shaft and a longitudinal axis of the cutting element can be substantially parallel to each other. When the cutting element rotates, the elongate axis of the elongate shaft and longitudinal axis of the cutting element can not be parallel during at least a portion of the cutting element's rotation.