Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus provide artificial knees. Artificial knees include a thigh link configured to move in unison with a thigh of the person, a shank link configured to be rotatably coupled to the thigh link, and a compression spring rotatably coupled to the thigh link and coupled to a second end of shank link with a second end of the compression spring. During a first range of motion, the compression spring is configured to provide an extension torque between the thigh link and the shank link causing the artificial knee to resist flexion. After the first range of motion, the compression spring is configured to provide a flexion torque between the thigh link and the shank link encouraging the artificial knee to flex resulting in toe clearance during the swing phase. During the swing phase, the compression spring provides no torque between the thigh link and the shank link.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus provide artificial knees. Artificial knees include a thigh link configured to move in unison with a thigh of the person, a shank link configured to be rotatably coupled to said thigh link, and a compression spring rotatably coupled to the thigh link and coupled to a second end of shank link with a second end of the compression spring. During a first range of motion, the compression spring is configured to provide an extension torque between the thigh link and the shank link causing said artificial knee to resist flexion. After said first range of motion, the compression spring is configured to provide a flexion torque between the thigh link and the shank link encouraging said artificial knee to flex resulting in toe clearance during the swing phase. During the swing phase, the compression spring provides no torque between the thigh link and the shank link.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus comprises a passive artificial knee that comprises first and second links coupled at a knee joint, a passive compressive force generator coupled to the second link, and a release mechanism coupled to the first link. When an angle of the first and second links is less than a toggle angle, the release mechanism locks in a first operational mode, and the force generator compresses, resisting flexing of the second link. When the angle is larger than the toggle angle, the force generator decompresses and encourages flexion of said second link. When the force generator is extended and said compressive force is small, the release mechanism moves into a second operational mode, wherein the force generator neither resists nor encourages extension and flexion of said second link from said first link. The wearable apparatus comprises an exoskeleton trunk configured to couple to an upper body of a user.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus provide an artificial knee. Such artificial knees may include a thigh link configured to move in unison with a thigh of the person, a shank link configured to be rotatably coupled to the thigh link, and a compression spring rotatably coupled to the thigh link at a first end and coupled to the shank link at a second end. The compression spring is configured to provide an extension torque between the thigh link and the shank link during a first range of motion of the thigh link and the shank link relative to each other. The compression spring is configured to provide a flexion torque between the thigh link and the shank link during a second range of motion of the thigh link and the shank link relative to each other.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus comprises a passive artificial knee that comprises first and second links coupled at a knee joint, a passive compressive force generator coupled to the second link, and a release mechanism coupled to the first link. When an angle of the first and second links is less than a toggle angle, the release mechanism locks in a first operational mode, and the force generator compresses, resisting flexing of the second link. When the angle is larger than the toggle angle, the force generator decompresses and encourages flexion of said second link. When the force generator is extended and said compressive force is small, the release mechanism moves into a second operational mode, wherein the force generator neither resists nor encourages extension and flexion of said second link from said first link. The wearable apparatus comprises an exoskeleton trunk configured to couple to an upper body of a user.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus provide an artificial knee. Such artificial knees may include a thigh link configured to move in unison with a thigh of the person, a shank link configured to be rotatably coupled to the thigh link, and a compression spring rotatably coupled to the thigh link at a first end and coupled to the shank link at a second end. The compression spring is configured to provide an extension torque between the thigh link and the shank link during a first range of motion of the thigh link and the shank link relative to each other. The compression spring is configured to provide a flexion torque between the thigh link and the shank link during a second range of motion of the thigh link and the shank link relative to each other.

Abstract: A passive artificial knee comprises first and second links rotatably coupled at a knee joint, a passive compressive force generator rotatably coupled to the second link, and a release mechanism coupled to the first link. When a relative angle of the first and second links is less than a toggle angle, the release mechanism locks in a first operational mode, and the force generator compresses, resisting the flexing of the second link relative to the first link. When the relative angle is larger than the toggle angle, the force generator decompresses and encourages the flexion of said second link relative to said first link. When the force generator is substantially extended and said compressive force is substantially small, the release mechanism moves into a second operational mode, wherein the force generator neither resists nor encourages the extension and flexion of said second link from said first link.

Abstract: A passive artificial knee comprises first and second links rotatably coupled at a knee joint, a passive compressive force generator rotatably coupled to the second link, and a release mechanism coupled to the first link. When a relative angle of the first and second links is less than a toggle angle, the release mechanism locks in a first operational mode, and the force generator compresses, resisting the flexing of the second link relative to the first link. When the relative angle is larger than the toggle angle, the force generator decompresses and encourages the flexion of said second link relative to said first link. When the force generator is substantially extended and said compressive force is substantially small, the release mechanism moves into a second operational mode, wherein the force generator neither resists nor encourages the extension and flexion of said second link from said first link.

Abstract: An assembly for housing medical supplies and for storing and mailing medical waste contained therein having an exterior box made of corrugated paper into which a plastic removable medical waste container can be inserted into and secured in a container bay provided by styrofoam insulation which contacts the interior sidewalls of the exterior box. The styrofoam insulation is provided with a plurality of apertures to accommodate syringes. Upon using the syringes, a user can place the syringe through an aperture in the medical waste container. Upon using all of the syringes originally provided with the assembly and placing them inside the medical waste container, the aperture provided in the medical waste container is latched closed and the medical waste container is placed inside the exterior box in the bay provided by the styrofoam insulation.