Other

University of Colorado

Point Designs LLC

Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha

Trustees of the Colorado School of Mines

Hottec, Inc.

Richard L Weir

Jacob Segil

Stephen Huddle

Levin John Sliker

Victor M Bright

Juliet T Gopinath

Diego Restrepo

Emily A Gibson

Baris Ozbay

Ozkan Celik

Jeannine A Pearsall

Ben Pulver

Serena Kishek

Barathwaj Murali

Embodiments include a prosthetic thumb device that includes a track configured to attach to a prosthetic socket, a carriage, and a locking mechanism. The carriage can include a first component that couples to the track such that the carriage is operable to move along the track, and a second component that is configured to couple with a prosthetic digit and operable to rotate with respect to the first component. The locking mechanism can be coupled to the carriage and configured such that, in a first state, it prevents the carriage from moving along the track in a first direction and, in a second state, it allows the carriage to move along the track in the first direction. Embodiments can also include the track having a curved profile, and the carriage is operable to move along the curved profile of the track.

Prosthetic thumb device

The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Optical imaging devices and variable-focus lens elements, and methods for using them

Systems and methods for postural control of a multi-function prosthesis are provided. Various embodiments provide for a postural controller that use EMG signals to drive a point in a posture space and outputs continuously varying joint angles for a powered prosthetic hand. The postural controller can include an EMG signal processing unit to receive signals from electrodes for processing (e.g., band pass filtering, rectification, root mean square averaging, dynamic tuning, etc.). The processed EMG signals can then be combined or converted to produce a point in the postural control domain. The PC domain map defines the posture that corresponds to each PC cursor coordinate. This map can have limitless possible postures and limitless possible positions of the postures. The Joint Angle Transform converts the PC cursor coordinate into the joint angle array which is sent to the prosthetic hand thereby creating more natural movements.

Systems and methods for postural control of a multi-function prosthesis

Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to prosthetic partial finger designs that can mimic the last two joints of the finger. Some embodiments include a proximal phalange, a distal phalange coupled to the proximal phalange, and a knuckle track (e.g., formed in an arc). The knuckle track can be moveably coupled to the proximal phalange an may include multiple teeth formed on which the proximal phalange slides along. A ratcheting mechanism can contact the multiple teeth to allow sliding in only a first direction while the ratcheting mechanism is engaged. Some embodiments include a release mechanism (e.g., a button) configured to disengage the ratcheting mechanism from the multiple teeth to allow the distal phalange to slide in a second direction. In some embodiments, the device may include a spring-back capability that automatically extends the finger after reaching full finger flexion, enabling one-handed use.

Prosthetic partial fingers

A miniturized laminar gear box possessing high torque densities and methods of manufacturing the same. The high torque density is possible by directing the output shaft of the planetary stages through the sun gear and behind the input shaft. This allows the input shafts of the planetary stages to face towards the interior of the gearbox and provides a rotary shaft for the spur stages housed in between the planetary stages.

High torque density miniature laminar gear transmission

A method of creating a water resistant, silicate-based ceramic composite article is disclosed. The method comprises depositing the silicate-based ceramic composite article in a container; immersing the silicate-based ceramic composite article in a solution comprising water and a soluble chemical that reacts with high alkali ions present in the silicate-based ceramic composite article and reduces the pH of the silicate-based ceramic composite article; soaking the silicate-based ceramic composite article in the solution for a period of time; removing the silicate-based ceramic composite article from the solution; and drying the silicate-based ceramic composite article.

Method of making a water resistant silicate-based ceramic composite material

A hinge type post adapter, as part of a panel and post wall system, with circular loops or nuckles in horizontally extended sections, which fit snugly around the post, with a &ldquo;U&rdquo; shaped slot extending outwardly from the opposite side from top to bottom, with slots slightly wider than the loops or nuckles in the loop section, to allow an identical part to be inserted around the post upside down. It should be noted that the post adapters, when installed on the post will allow an extension of the wall in any desired direction around the post from 90 to 180 degrees from the proceeding wall section and will prohibit the transmittal of water or air thru the wall assembly.

Universal direction post and wall panel adapter

In a first embodiment of the invention, a safety frame comprises at least four legs; a pair of spaced apart beams, each connected to two of the legs; and at least one cross-beam extending between and secured to the pair of spaced apart beams. At least one traveler is slidably disposed on the at least one cross-beam. A tethering device, such as a lanyard, may be secured to the traveler, and a safety jacket may be secured to the tethering device. A worker wearing a safety jacket secured to a tethering device that is secured to the traveler is both protected against falls and has a wide field of movement as the traveler moves along the at least one cross-beam. The safety frame is rendered movable by casters secured to the legs. Insert members render the legs extensible beyond the height of the casters to render the safety frame fixable in position. In a second embodiment of the invention, the safety frame of the first embodiment is modified by having each of the legs pivotably secured to a base member, both directly and indirectly via a bracing member, rather than having insert members and casters. The base members are affixable to a surface, such as a roof or the like, if desired. The cross-beams are secured to the legs, rather than to beams that are secured to the legs.

Safety frame

The automatic shut off for stuck open flush valves in toilet water tanks and water saver device depicted herein consists of a simple mechanism for installation in the water tank of a conventional water flush toilet, underneath the ball float, to provide a time delay action so that the device will not operate during normal flushing operations, but will shut off water flow into the tank when an open, mal-functioning flush valve allows the tank to empty and water flow continously to waste. The system assembly consists of two cylinders, one within the other; actuated to separate by a coil spring, ball float and spring release mechanism; to force one cylinder, with toilet tank ball float adapter, upward; shutting off the water flow into the toilet tank.

Revised automatic water shut off for stuck open flush valves in toilet

A hinge structure having a leaf having knuckles so formed that leaves having two identical such knuckle structures can be joined together to form a hinge, rather than requiring knuckle structures that are not identical. The hinge structure can have plates to hold beams in alignment to form a structure that is initially pivotal but, with the addition of other beams or structures, can be rigid and with the beams at any desired angle relative to each other.

Hinge structure

A simplified building structure that can be extruded out of plastic to be used as inexpensive substitutes for walls, ceilings, roofs, posts, and other structural components. The structure includes elongated male and female means to connect two of the structural components together securely, either by longitudinally inserting one into the other or by snapping the male component transversely into the female component. For this purpose, the male component has resilient flanges that can be forced into a female slot, thereafter to spring apart to engage overhanging parts of juxtaposed edges of the slot to lock the two components rigidly together. Preferably, the flanged male spline is formed on top of a ridge, the side edges of which engage the juxtaposed edges of the female slot to prevent any transverse movement of one of the components relative to the other.

Growing community of inventors

Dayton, OH, United States of America

Richard L Weir