University of Pittsburgh

Carnegie Mellon University

Dynamic Contours, LLC

David M Brienza

Clifford E Brubaker

James F Antaki

Michael J Brienza

Mark B Friedman

Mel Siegel

Sanna Gaspard

Todd M Przybycien

Esteban Ruiz

Alexandra Marie Delazio

Andrew J Malkiewicz

Patricia Karg

Patricia E Karg

A device for use with a beverage can to secure a straw thereto includes a base configured to cooperate with an opening of the beverage can to secure the device to the beverage can and a passage formed through the base which aligns with the opening of the beverage can when the device is secured to the beverage can. The passage is configured to pass a straw therethrough.

Beverage can straw holder

A moisture permeable composite material for a wide variety of applications including without limitation prosthetic liners, orthotic liners, clothing, space suits and environmental suits comprising: an inner layer comprising a hydrogel, a thin tough hydrogel membrane, or dual network hydrogel; and an outer layer comprising a porous elastomer or an open cell foam.

Moisture permeable hydrogel composite materials

Medical device or instrument for diagnosing pressure ulcers using optical reflectance spectroscopy. The device may comprise a tip and a controller. The tip is pressed against the skin of the patient and collects the optical reflectance data. The controller processes the data to determine whether there exists a pressure ulcer and, if there is one, its depth. The tip may also include a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure at which the tip is applied to the patient's skin.

Medical device for diagnosing pressure ulcers

A moisture permeable composite material for a wide variety of applications including without limitation prosthetic liners, orthotic liners, clothing, space suits and environmental suits comprising: an inner layer comprising a hydrogel, or a thin tough hydrogel membrane, or dual network hydrogel; and an outer layer comprising a porous elastomer or an open cell foam.

A cushioning surface for cooling tissue that reaches a predefined level of immersion into the cushioning surface, comprising: a segmented fluid cushion comprising a plurality of cells interconnected to allow fluid to flow from each cell to at least one of the other plurality of cells; and wherein one or more of the plurality of cells contains a heat exchange material. The cushioning surface may further comprise a cooling element associated with and for removing heat from the one or more cells containing a heat exchange material.

Actively and selectively cooled cushioning surface

A cushion for seats, wheelchairs, mattresses, etc. is disclosed. The cushion includes fluid-filled cells. Each cell is in fluid communication with adjacent cells via conduits. Constrictures such as check-valves and duckbill valves may be located inside the conduits to restrict or otherwise regulate fluid flow into or out of a particular cell. A control pin may be used to selectively enable or disable said constrictures. In this way, the cushion may be customized on a cell-by-cell basis, providing a cushion that can be tailored to the individual needs of the patient.

Self adjusting, contouring cushioning system

A cushion for seats, wheelchairs, mattresses, etc. is disclosed. The cushion includes fluid-filled cells. Each cell is in fluid communication with adjacent cells via conduits. Constrictures such as valves or constrictor clips may be applied to the conduits to restrict or otherwise regulate fluid flow into or out of a particular cell. In this way, the cushion may be customized on a cell-by-cell basis, providing a cushion that can be tailored to the individual needs of the patient.

A surface replicating and contour measuring device substantially comprises a mechanical pin array having calibration pins mounted on a frame, an imaging system for recording contour and a data processor for storing and manipulating the recorded information.

Contour replicating and measuring device

A steering mechanism for a wheelchair which minimizes the turning radius of the wheelchair providing good maneuverability while also minimizing the misalignment of each of the wheels. The steering mechanism substantially comprises a flat plate defining cam follower slots, two sliding members defining slots, four linkages which follow the path of the cam followers and are connected to the wheels, and a single actuator.

Steering mechanism for short wheelbased four-wheeled vehicles

A reusable die for the manufacture of molded seat cushions that includes a first device for forming a positive profile of a contoured surface, such as a seating support surface, from data obtained for defining the positive surface profile; and a second device for forming a negative profile of the contoured surface, whereby the first surface is adapted to be maintained in contact with the second surface. The first device includes a plurality of rods adapted to define the positive profile. The second device also includes a plurality of rods and a deformable member, such as a wire mesh, that coact with the rods of the first device to form the negative profile. The rods of both the first device and the second device are adapted to be locked in place. A sealing surface is vacuum formed over the negative profile, which then forms a wall of a foam mold. Liquid foam material is then injected in the mold and permitted to cure thereby forming a contoured seat cushion. Also disclosed is a method to manufacture a contoured seat cushion.

Growing community of inventors

Allison Park, PA, United States of America

David M Brienza