Abstract: An example barrier can be switchable between an at least partially collapsed state and at least partially expanded state (e.g., a deployed state). For example, the barrier can be formed from a sheet and a plurality of rigid sections (e.g., rigid panels) attached or incorporated into the sheet. The barrier can also include a plurality of hinges, such as hinge lines, between the panels that are formed from the sheet. The hinges enable the barrier to be rigid foldable (e.g., the hinges can fold and unfold while the rigid sections remain stiff and rigid) between the expanded and collapsed states.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of sample retrieval, grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an elongated member and a retention member movably coupled to the elongated member. The elongated member includes a cutting portion configured to cut a target sample when moved, and defines an internal volume within which at least a portion of the target sample can be received. The retention member includes an engagement portion configured to move between a first position and a second position when the retention member is actuated. The engagement portion is configured to extend within the internal volume to exert a force on the target sample within the internal volume when the engagement portion is in the second position.

Abstract: A diaper is provided which includes at least one origami pattern. The at least one origami pattern includes a pattern of pre-determined fold lines. A method of manufacturing a diaper is also provided. In one step, at least one origami pattern is selected, comprising a pattern of fold-lines, to meet at least one of the following three parameters for the diaper: (1) sag; (2) shape-conformance; or (3) wicking. In another step, the diaper is manufactured to include the selected at least one origami pattern.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first joint member, a second joint member, and a flexure. The first joint member includes a first connection portion and a contact surface. The second joint member including a second connection portion. A first end portion of the flexure is coupled to the first connection portion, and a second end portion of the flexure is coupled to the second connection portion. The flexure is configured to deform elastically when the first joint member and the second joint member move from a first configuration to a second configuration. When in the first configuration, the central portion of the flexure is spaced apart from the contact portion. When in the second configuration, the central portion of the flexure contacting the contact portion.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a shaft, a tool member, and a flexure. The shaft has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and defines a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion includes a ground portion. The tool member has an engagement portion and an actuation portion. The engagement portion is disposed distally from the actuation portion, and can exert an engagement force on a target structure. The actuation portion receives an actuation force. The flexure has a first end portion coupled to the ground portion of the shaft, and a second end portion coupled to the tool member. The flexure is configured to deform elastically when the actuation force is exerted on the actuation portion of the tool member such that the tool member rotates relative to the shaft.

Abstract: An origami bellows includes a plurality of layers including a support layer having a diameter that remains fixed irrespective of axial expansion or compression of the origami bellows. The origami bellows may be used as an anti-buckling device providing lateral support to a catheter or other elongated medical instrument.

Abstract: An auto-injection syringe shaped similar to a credit card and having a biased injection mechanism operable to drive a needle into a user's body by a fixed distance to dispense a dose of fluid at a subcutaneous location. A safety may be provided to avoid undesired actuation of the injection mechanism. After the safety is bypassed, a trigger may be actuated by the user to allow operation of the injection mechanism. A reciprocating needle-cover resists casual view of the needle by the user during and after use of the syringe. A locking mechanism automatically holds the needle-cover at an extended position to isolate the needle from further contact and to resist re-use of the syringe.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a device may include a first member, a second member, and a wrist mechanism disposed between the first member and the second member. The wrist mechanism may include a first cylinder portion coupled to the first member, and a second cylinder portion coupled to the second member. The first cylinder portion may be rollably engaged with the second cylinder portion such that movement of the first cylinder portion with respect to the second cylinder portion is configured to cause the first member to move in at least two directions with respect to the second member. The second cylinder portion may be positioned with respect to the first cylinder portion such that a longitudinal axis of the second cylinder portion is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the first cylinder portion.

Abstract: An example barrier can be switchable between an at least partially collapsed state and at least partially expanded state (e.g., a deployed state). For example, the barrier can be formed from a continuous sheet and a plurality of rigid sections (e.g., rigid panels) attached or incorporated into the continuous sheet. The barrier can also include a plurality of hinges, such as hinge lines, between the panels that are formed from the continuous sheet. The hinges enable the barrier to be rigid foldable (e.g., the hinges can fold and unfold while the rigid sections remain stiff and rigid) between the expanded and collapsed states.

Abstract: A deployable tube apparatus may include a spool and a flexible sheet coiled about the spool in a laterally unfurled condition. The flexible sheet may have a first lateral margin and a second lateral margin, and may be deployable from the laterally unfurled condition with the first and the second lateral margins spaced from each other to a deployed tubular condition where the first and the second lateral margins are coupled to each other to form an enclosed lumen. The deployable tube apparatus may provide lateral support to an elongated flexible instrument, such as a catheter. Methods of creating and using the deployable tube apparatus are described.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a device may include a first member, a second member, and a wrist mechanism disposed between the first member and the second member. The wrist mechanism may include a first cylinder portion coupled to the first member, and a second cylinder portion coupled to the second member. The first cylinder portion may be rollably engaged with the second cylinder portion such that movement of the first cylinder portion with respect to the second cylinder portion is configured to cause the first member to move in at least two directions with respect to the second member. The second cylinder portion may be positioned with respect to the first cylinder portion such that a longitudinal axis of the second cylinder portion is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the first cylinder portion.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a device may include a first member, a second member, and a wrist mechanism disposed between the first member and the second member. The wrist mechanism may include a first cylinder portion coupled to the first member, and a second cylinder portion coupled to the second member. The first cylinder portion may be rollably engaged with the second cylinder portion such that movement of the first cylinder portion with respect to the second cylinder portion is configured to cause the first member to move in at least two directions with respect to the second member. The second cylinder portion may be positioned with respect to the first cylinder portion such that a longitudinal axis of the second cylinder portion is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the first cylinder portion.

Abstract: An auto-injection syringe shaped similar to a credit card and having a biased injection mechanism operable to drive a needle into a user's body by a fixed distance to dispense a dose of fluid at a subcutaneous location. A safety may be provided to avoid undesired actuation of the injection mechanism. After the safety is bypassed, a trigger may be actuated by the user to allow operation of the injection mechanism. A reciprocating needle-cover resists casual view of the needle by the user during and after use of the syringe. A locking mechanism automatically holds the needle-cover at an extended position to isolate the needle from further contact and to resist re-use of the syringe.

Abstract: A hinged mechanism includes: panels; and hinges connecting respective pairs of the panels to each other in a closed loop so that the hinged mechanism is non-planar, wherein at least one of the hinges is a rolling-contact hinge. All of the hinges can be rolling-contact hinges. The closed-loop hinged mechanism can comprise at least four hinges, each of the at least four hinges being a sole connection between a respective adjacent pair of the panels. A cross section of rolling surfaces of the rolling-contact hinge can be circular. A cross section of rolling surfaces of the rolling-contact hinge can be non-circular.

Abstract: Rigidly foldable, foldable multi-body arrays or systems that may include three-dimensional bodies connected together by multiple hinges and reconfigurable between unfolded and folded configurations.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprises a first rolling-contact core operably coupled to a first vertebra, said first rolling-contact core having a first convex surface having a first axis, said first convex surface configured to provide a first rolling motion in a first direction to said first vertebra relative to a second vertebra. At least one flexure is connected to said first rolling-contact core, said flexure configured to constrain said first rolling motion.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a hinge system includes a first compliant hinge having a first attachment portion, a first flexible portion, and a first movable portion, where the first flexible portion is disposed between the first attachment portion and the first movable portion, and a second compliant hinge having a second attachment portion, a second flexible portion, and a second movable portion, where the second flexible portion is disposed between the second attachment portion and the second movable portion. The first attachment portion is coupled to the second attachment portion. The hinge system is configured to move from an un-deflected configuration to a deflected configuration in which the first movable portion and the second movable portion move away from each other.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a first rolling-contact core operably coupled to a first vertebra, said first rolling-contact core having a first convex surface having a first axis, said first convex surface configured to provide a first rolling motion in a first direction to said first vertebra relative to a second vertebra. At least one flexure is connected to said first rolling-contact core, said flexure configured to constrain said first rolling motion.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a device may include a shaft, a tool portion including a first arm and a second arm, and a split rolling joint including a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The second curved portion may be coupled to the shaft. The first curved portion may include a first split portion and a second split portion. The first split portion may be coupled to the first arm. The second split portion may be coupled to the second arm. At least one of the first split portion and the second split portion may be configured to roll with respect to the second curved portion such that at least one of the first arm and the second arm can move towards or away from each other.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a device may include a first member, a second member, and a wrist mechanism disposed between the first member and the second member. The wrist mechanism may include a first cylinder portion coupled to the first member, and a second cylinder portion coupled to the second member. The first cylinder portion may be rollably engaged with the second cylinder portion such that movement of the first cylinder portion with respect to the second cylinder portion is configured to cause the first member to move in at least two directions with respect to the second member. The second cylinder portion may be positioned with respect to the first cylinder portion such that a longitudinal axis of the second cylinder portion is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the first cylinder portion.