Vanderbilt University

Permobil, Inc.

Benjamin Gasser

Michael Goldfarb

Daniel Paul Bennett

Judith Lefkowitz

William Alexander Emfinger

Benjamin Phillip Hemkens

Daniel Alvin Bennett

A wheelchair including a steering assembly configured to selectively attach to the wheelchair, the steering assembly including a steering member, a front wheel operably connected to the steering member, a frame assembly configured to carry the steering member and the front wheel, and a mounting assembly coupled to the frame assembly, and a drive assembly coupled to the wheelchair. The drive assembly is configured to operate in a first configuration in response to the steering assembly being detached from the wheelchair, and the drive assembly is configured to operate in a second configuration in response to the steering assembly being attached to the wheelchair.

System to adjust drive operation and performance in response to detection of a front add-on for a wheelchair

In one embodiment, the orthotic device can include a powered hand portion, a switching element, and a controller. The wearer can interact with the switching element to generate input signals for adjusting an operation of the powered hand portion. The controller can receive the input signals and generate control signals to accordingly adjust the operation of the powered hand portion. In some embodiments, a powered hand portion can be comprised of a plurality of linkages and at least one powered actuator to assist with an opening and closing of the hand portion. The plurality of linkages can be operated by at least one electric motor with quick-connect elements to link onto fingers of a user. In some embodiments, an electrically-actuated clutch mechanism can be affixed to an upper arm section and a lower arm section of an orthotic device. The clutch mechanism can be configured into different positions.

Upper extremity assistance device

An orthotic device includes an upper arm section for receiving an upper portion of an arm of a subject, a forearm section for receiving a forearm section of the arm, and at least one elbow joint rotatably coupling the upper arm section and the forearm section. In the orthotic device, the forearm section includes a release control operatively coupled to the at least one elbow joint, where the release control is configured to transition the at least one elbow joint from a restricted motion state to a free motion state when the release control is activated.

Growing community of inventors

Nashville, TN, United States of America

Benjamin Gasser