Abstract: An example sensor device is provided. The sensor device includes (a) a substrate having a first end and a second end, wherein the substrate includes a contact portion, a first sensor portion positioned between the first end of the substrate and the contact portion, and a second sensor portion positioned between the second end of the substrate and the contact portion, (b) a first strain gauge sensor positioned at the first sensor portion, and (c) a second strain gauge sensor positioned at the second sensor portion, wherein the first end of the substrate and the second end of the substrate are configured to be coupled to a rigid curved surface, and wherein the sensor device is configured such that a force applied to the contact portion of the substrate will be sensed by each of the first strain gauge sensor and the second strain gauge sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an actuation system including a plurality of single actuation units for modular control of a tendon-driven robotic mechanism are disclosed.

Abstract: An example sensor device is provided. The sensor device includes (a) a substrate having a first end and a second end, wherein the substrate includes a contact portion, a first sensor portion positioned between the first end of the substrate and the contact portion, and a second sensor portion positioned between the second end of the substrate and the contact portion, (b) a first strain gauge sensor positioned at the first sensor portion, and (c) a second strain gauge sensor positioned at the second sensor portion, wherein the first end of the substrate and the second end of the substrate are configured to be coupled to a rigid curved surface, and wherein the sensor device is configured such that a force applied to the contact portion of the substrate will be sensed by each of the first strain gauge sensor and the second strain gauge sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an actuation system including a plurality of single actuation units for modular control of a tendon-driven robotic mechanism are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an actuation system including a plurality of single actuation units for modular control of a tendon-driven robotic mechanism are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems for providing electro-mechanical sensors are provided. In some embodiments, a system for providing an electro-mechanical sensor comprising: a flexible material forming at least a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel includes a first plate region and the second channel forms a second plate region that is substantially aligned with the first plate region; and an electrically conductive fluid that fills the first channel and the second channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an actuation system including a plurality of single actuation units for modular control of a tendon-driven robotic mechanism are disclosed.

Abstract: A stent is provided with a coating having a variable drug release rate. The release rate can be greater over a curved or bent segment of a strut network as compared to generally linear segments of the strut network. The coating can have a barrier region that is thicker over the generally linear segments. The coating can have a drug mixed with polymers. The curved or bent segment can have a greater amount of a polymer having relatively high drug permeability as compared to the generally linear segments.

Abstract: A method of coating a stent may comprise applying a composition including a drug and a polymer to the stent to form a coating. The release rate of the drug from the coating gradually increases along a length of the stent which extends axially from opposite ends of the stent. The variable drug release rate can be accomplished by varying the coating thickness, by applying a barrier region over the drug-containing composition, and/or by having different polymers in the coating, the polymers having different drug permeabilities.

Abstract: Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Techniques are described for enhancing the useful force range for impedance sensors by internally texturing the elastomeric skin.

Abstract: Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Pressure transducers can provide sensory feedback by measuring micro-vibrations due to sliding friction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a robust tactile sensor array that mimics the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. It uses the deformable properties of the finger pad as part of the transduction process. Multiple electrodes are mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control.

Abstract: A method of coating a stent may comprise applying a composition including a drug and a polymer to the stent to form a coating. The release rate of the drug from the coating gradually increases along a length of the stent which extends axially from opposite ends of the stent. The variable drug release rate can be accomplished by varying the coating thickness, by applying a barrier region over the drug-containing composition, and/or by having different polymers in the coating, the polymers having different drug permeabilities.

Abstract: Coatings for stents that include a polymer and a drug are provided. A method of forming the coatings is also provided.

Abstract: Coatings for stents that include a polymer and a drug are provided. A method of forming the coatings is also provided.

Abstract: Coatings for stents that include a polymer and a drug are provided. A method of forming the coatings is also provided.

Abstract: Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Pressure transducers can provide sensory feedback by measuring micro-vibrations due to sliding friction.

Abstract: A stent is provided with a coating having a variable drug release rate. The release rate can be greater over a curved or bent segment of a strut network as compared to generally linear segments of the strut network. The coating can have a barrier region that is thicker over the generally linear segments. The coating can have a drug mixed with polymers. The curved or bent segment can have a greater amount of a polymer having relatively high drug permeability as compared to the generally linear segments.

Abstract: Coatings for stents that include a polymer and a drug are provided. The stent's struts are generally linear segments interrupted by a curved or bent segment that contain a drug/polymer coating wherein the concentration of the drug in the coating is greater in at least a portion of the curved or bent segment as compared to the linear segments.

Abstract: Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Techniques are described for enhancing the useful force range for impedance sensors by internally texturing the elastomeric skin.