Brigham Young University

Nano Composite Products, Inc.

General Electric Company

Sensable Technologies, Inc.

Rubi Life, LLC

Anton Edis Bowden

David T Fullwood

Aaron Jake Merrell

Larry L Howell

Taylor D Remington

Brian D Jensen

Peter Halverson

Matthew Kirk Seeley

Gavin Quinn Collins

Parker Gary Rosquist

William Fredrick Christensen

Spencer P Magleby

Darrell Skousen

Eric M Stratton

Brian Anthony Mazzeo

Todd G Nelson

Danni Joell Porter

Christopher R West

Nathan Brown

Eric Dodgen

Nathan Allen Pack

Levi Thomas Rupert

Jacob Marc Robinson

Dilip Bam Malla

David Weston Richardson

Sean Andrew Moore

Aubrie Taylor

Joshua Lindmark

Kyle D Pulsipher

Trevor Stephens

Collin Ynchausti

Christian D Esplin

Cassandra Bell

Peter A Halveson

Daniel A Baradoy

Dillon Despain

Stephanie Morco

In one example, an apparatus includes a shoe having a sole with at least a portion of foam replaced with a composite polymeric foam, at least one probe disposed in the composite polymeric foam, a voltage detector coupled to the probe that detects voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam, and a transformation module that converts voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam in response to deformation events into GRF, acceleration, or pressure data. In another example, a method includes receiving voltage data produced by composite polymeric foam, the composite polymeric foam providing support and padding in the sole of a shoe, converting the voltage data to force data, comparing the force data to a profile, and transmitting, when the force data fails to fall within a threshold of the profile, a feedback signal to a physical feedback device, the feedback signal indicating a difference with the profile.

Shoe-based analysis system

In a general aspect, an apparatus can include a plate configured for implantation in a body of a patient. The plate can include a plurality of pores and be configured for placement between a cancellous bone of a spinal vertebra and a corresponding cartilaginous endplate as a replacement for a bony endplate of the spinal vertebra.

Artificial vertebral endplates and associated methods

Deployable Euler Spiral Connectors (DESCs) are introduced as compliant deployable flexures that can span gaps between segments in a mechanism and then lay flat when under strain in a stowed position. This paper presents models of Euler spiral beams combined in series and parallel that can be used to design compact compliant mechanisms. Constraints on the flexure parameters of DESCs are also presented. Analytic models developed for the force-deflection behavior and stress were compared to finite element analysis and experimental data. A spinal implant and a linear ratcheting system are presented as illustrative applications of DESCs.

Deployable compliant mechanism

A multi-stage stent including a stent body and a bio-erodible material is provided. The stent body can be compressed in an initial state and the bio-erodible material can be coupled to the stent body in a configuration that holds the stent body in an expanded first state, following a first stage expansion from the initial state upon deployment of the stent body. Upon erosion of the bio-erodible material the stent body is released from the first state to expand further in a second stage expansion to a second state.

Multi-stage stent devices and associated methods

In one general aspect, a composite foam comprises a non-layered mixture of a polymeric foam with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the polymeric foam. The conductive fillers are disposed in an even manner from outer surface to outer surface. In some implementations, the conductive fillers are up to 25% by weight of the composite foam. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as padding. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as a strain gauge. In some implementations, the foam may be in contact with a voltage detector.

Composite conductive foam

Garment including sensors

In one example, an apparatus. includes a shoe having a sole with at least a portion of foam replaced with a composite polymeric foam, at least one probe disposed in the composite polymeric foam, a voltage detector coupled to the probe that detects voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam, and a transformation module that converts voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam in response to deformation events into GRF, acceleration, or pressure data. In another example, a method includes receiving voltage data produced by composite polymeric foam, the composite polymeric foam providing support and padding in the sole of a shoe, converting the voltage data to force data, comparing the force data to a profile, and transmitting, when the force data fails to fall within a threshold of the profile, a feedback signal to a physical feedback device, the feedback signal indicating a difference with the profile.

In one general aspect, a composite foam comprises a non-layered mixture of a polymeric foam with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the polymeric foam. The conductive fillers are disposed in an even manner from outer surface to outer surface. In some implementations, the conductive fillers are up to 25% by weight of the composite foam. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as padding. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as a strain gauge.

Composite conductive foam insole

In one general aspect, an apparatus comprises a material including a non-layered mixture of an polymeric foam with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the polymeric foam. The apparatus may produce an electrical response to deformation and, thus, function as a strain gauge. The electrical response may be a decrease in electrical resistance. The electrical response may be an electric potential generated. The conductive fillers may include conductive nanoparticles and/or conductive stabilizers. In another general aspect, a method of measuring compression strain includes detecting, along a first axis, an electrical response generated in response to an impact to a uniform composite material that includes conductive fillers and voids disposed throughout an elastomeric polymer, and determining a deformation of the impact based on the electrical response. The impact may be along a second axis different from the first axis.

Composite material used as a strain gauge

Superhydrophobic materials are disclosed and described, along with devices, surfaces, and associated methods. Such materials can be coated onto device surfaces, system surfaces, structures, and the like.

Super-hydrophobic materials and associated devices, systems, and methods

In one general aspect, an apparatus comprises a material including a non-layered mixture of an elastomeric polymer with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the elastomeric polymer. The apparatus may produce an electrical response to deformation and, thus, function as a strain gauge. The conductive fillers may include conductive nanoparticles and/or conductive stabilizers. In another general aspect, a method of measuring compression strain includes detecting, along a first axis, an electrical response generated in response to an impact to a uniform composite material that includes conductive fillers and voids disposed throughout an elastomeric polymer, and determining a deformation of the impact based on the electrical response. The impact may be along a second axis different from the first axis.

In one general aspect, an apparatus includes at least two conductive elements disposed in a polymeric foam and at least two voltage detectors. Each voltage detector is coupled to a respective conductive element and configured to detect a charge generated by an impact to the polymeric foam within a sensing radius of the respective conductive element. In another general aspect, an apparatus includes a deformation sensor and a voltage detector. The deformation sensor includes a conductive element disposed in a polymeric foam, a portion of the conductive element extending beyond an outer wall of the polymeric foam. The voltage detector is coupled to the portion of the conductive element and detects a charge generated by the deformation sensor responsive to an impact to the polymeric foam.

Polymeric foam deformation gauge

In one general aspect, a vertebral attachment device can include an attachment member having a curved shape defining a concave surface, a flex structure included in the attachment member, and an anchor member coupled to the attachment member and protruding from the concave surface.

Compliant vertebral attachment device

In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a sensing membrane including a plurality of conductive fillers included in a matrix. The apparatus can include a plurality of electrical leads coupled to an outer portion of the sensing membrane where the conductive fillers have a volumetric percentage of less than 25% of the volume of the sensing membrane.

Sensing system including a sensing membrane

Growing community of inventors

Lindon, UT, United States of America

Anton Edis Bowden