Abstract: Power assist control capable of responding to feeling and sensibility when a man applies force to an object is performed. The power assist control outputs an assist force F or a speed F on the basis of an assist target force X detected by a force sensor 114 for detecting force applied to the object. The relationship between the assist target force X and the assist force F or the speed F to be outputted is F?f(X) on the basis of a function f(X) having the assist target force X as a variable. The function f(X) is assumed to be a non-linear function which is an increasing function and whose derivative f?(X) is a decreasing function. The function f(X) is a (1/n)-th order function or a logarithmic function. Moreover, a function fup(X) when the assist target force X is increased is different from a function fdown(X) when the assist target force X is decreased.

Abstract: Tow forces can be measured only by providing one force sensor in a device structure, and a drive system is driven so as to assist an external force by detecting it. A value at a force sensor (114) at the moment when a foot switch (121) is set as the original point (detection reference) of a force to be assisted. Variations of the force after the original point setting is measured by the force sensor (114) the difference between the measured value and the assist original point is obtained, and a force to be assisted is detected. Depending on the magnitude of the force to be assisted, assist operation is performed by causing a drive force to act on a foot such that the force to be assisted is reduced. When the force is assisted reaches zero, the assist operation is completed. Then, two forces, or “a force acting on a patient's foot” and “a force applied to the foot” from the outside, are detected by the one force sensor (114).

Abstract: A bending forceps 1 has at least three degrees of freedom including relative opening/closing of a pair of gripping members 11a, 11b, rotation of both the gripping members around a first axis 15 and rotation of both the gripping members around a second axis 42 existing on an imaginary plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis 15. A drive power from an actuator is converted to each motion of the opening/closing of the gripping members, rotation thereof around the first axis and rotation thereof around the second axis by first to third link mechanisms 5, 6 and 7. The present invention enables the durability and control accuracy to be raised by employing a link mechanism as a drive power transmitting means. Further, the present invention facilitates sterilization, cleaning and attachment/detachment to/from a driving means.

Abstract: Power assist control capable of responding to feeling and sensibility when a man applies force to an object is performed. The power assist control outputs an assist force F or a speed F on the basis of an assist target force X detected by a force sensor 114 for detecting force applied to the object. The relationship between the assist target force X and the assist force F or the speed F to be outputted is F?f(X) on the basis of a function f(X) having the assist target force X as a variable. The function f(X) is assumed to be anon-linear function which is an increasing function and whose derivative f?(X) is a decreasing function. The function f(X) is a (1/n)-th order function or a logarithmic function. Moreover, a function fup(X) when the assist target force X is increased is different from a function fdown(X) when the assist target force X is decreased.

Abstract: A bending forceps 1 has at least three degrees of freedom including relative opening/closing of a pair of gripping members 11a, 11b, rotation of both the gripping members around a first axis 15 and rotation of both the gripping members around a second axis 42 existing on an imaginary plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis 15. A drive power from an actuator is converted to each motion of the opening/closing of the gripping members, rotation thereof around the first axis and rotation thereof around the second axis by first to third link mechanisms 5, 6 and 7. The present invention enables the durability and control accuracy to be raised by employing a link mechanism as a drive power transmitting means. Further, the present invention facilitates sterilization, cleaning and attachment/detachment to/from a driving means.

Abstract: The front end portion of a bending action member and manipulator is constituted of multi-slider linkage mechanism which starts the operation of a second articulation portion at its rear end side after the bending action of a first articulation portion on the front end side ends. A guide link portion 26 which covers a link member 23 to guide it through a sliding contact is sealed in a hollow portion to prevent leakage of air. In multi-slider linkage mechanism, two frames at a joint portion are formed in forward taper to set the magnitude of a moment required for starting the bending action of a second articulation portion larger than a moment required for the bending action of the first articulation portion. The manipulator is comprised of an actuator portion and a bending forceps portion and capable of engaging/disengaging each other. The actuator portion is provided with a joint arm 13 having a plate containing a fitting hole for connecting the motor with the link member 23.

Abstract: Tow forces can be measured only by providing one force sensor in a device structure, and a drive system is driven so as to assist an external force by detecting it. A value at a force sensor (114) at the moment when a foot switch (121) is set as the original point (detection reference) of a force to be assisted. Variations of the force after the original point setting is measured by the force sensor (114) the difference between the measured value and the assist original point is obtained, and a force to be assisted is detected. Depending on the magnitude of the force to be assisted, assist operation is performed by causing a drive force to act on a foot such that the force to be assisted is reduced. When the force is assisted reaches zero, the assist operation is completed. Then, two forces, or “a force acting on a patient's foot” and “a force applied to the foot” from the outside, are detected by the one force sensor (114).

Abstract: The repositioning apparatus of the invention includes a supporting bed for supporting at least a lower body of a patient, who needs repositioning therapy on his/her leg, a lower leg supporting bed for supporting a lower leg of the patient, a first movable table for allowing the lower leg supporting bed to move about a substantially horizontal axis, a first drive unit for driving the first movable table, a second movable table for moving the lower leg supporting bed in the substantially horizontal direction, and a second drive unit for driving the second movable table. Accordingly, the repositioning apparatus can make the lower leg of the patient perform a twisting action and a bending and stretching action, which are inevitable action for repositioning the patient's lower leg.

Abstract: A microarraying head 51 has a base portion 57 and a plurality of needles 53. The needles 53 are arranged in parallel with one another on the base portion 57. The needles 53 place a solution on substrates 3 with the top ends of the needles 53 touching substrates 3. Then, the needles 53 retain the solution including biological samples and form spots of the solution on the substrates 3. A space 58 for supplying cleansing fluid or the like is provided in the base portion 57 so as to extend all over the plurality of needles 53. Since the plurality of needles 53 can be all cleansed with substantially uniform pressure applied thereto, all the plurality of needles 53 can cleansed surely in a short time.

Abstract: Provided is a unit used in a surgical operation using an endoscope, for example, to position the distal end of a surgical instrument to the region of a human body where medical treatment is required, without spreading a hole formed in the human body for insertion of the surgical instrument. This unit includes first and second output shafts pivotally connected to a movable member of the surgical instrument or the like, the first and second output shafts extending parallel to each other and being capable of reciprocating, and a drive unit for giving the first output shaft an arbitrary amount of advance/retraction and constantly giving the second output shaft an amount of advance/retraction of a constant ratio (#1) with respect to the amount of advance/retraction given to the first output shaft.

Abstract: The repositioning apparatus of the invention includes a supporting bed for supporting at least a lower body of a patient, who needs repositioning therapy on his/her leg, a lower leg supporting bed for supporting a lower leg of the patient, a first movable table for allowing the lower leg supporting bed to move about a substantially horizontal axis, a first drive unit for driving the first movable table, a second movable table for moving the lower leg supporting bed in the substantially horizontal direction, and a second drive unit for driving the second movable table. Accordingly, the repositioning apparatus can make the lower leg of the patient perform a twisting action and a bending and stretching action, which are inevitable action for repositioning the patient's lower leg.