Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

Todd Kuiken

Robert Lipschutz

He Huang

Tommaso Lenzi

Marco Cempini

James Lipsey

Blair Andrew Lock

Frank Ursetta

Elizabeth Halsne

Timothy Reissman

Michael A Peshkin

Levi John Hargrove

Gregory A Dumanian

Kyle Kaveny

Maxwell Keith Shepherd

Jason M Souza

Dennis Tkach

Roger Good

Lenzi Tommaso

James H Lipsey

The present disclosure is directed to a compact wrist rotator and flexor mechanism for use with a prosthetic hand. The wrist rotator and flexor uses a set of motors to provide a driven mechanism having two degrees of freedom, a wrist rotation and a wrist flexion. The rotator uses a motor with an inverted shaft gearbox combined with a worm gear and a face gear transmission to generate continuous and non-backdrivable rotation. The rotator is integrated into a flexor that uses a lead screw acting as a linear actuator to provide strong non-backdrivable flexion and extension. Due to the arrangement of the drives, the resulting wrist rotator and flexor mechanism has a low and compact profile.

Compact wrist rotator and flexor

Systems and methods are disclosed for a powered ankle prosthesis. The prosthesis may comprise a polycentric mechanism having a defined path for an instantaneous center of rotation. The path of the instantaneous center of rotation may be defined by a trajectory substantially equal to an arc positioned over a joint of the polycentric mechanism.

Polycentric powered ankle prosthesis

A magnetic and electrical interface that may be used with an assistive device. The interface comprises a proximal connector and a distal connector. The proximal connector may be attached to a liner for a residual limb and the distal connector may be attached to a hard socket or other aspect of an assistive device. Other aspects of and uses for the connector interface are also disclosed.

Magnetic electrical connector for assistive devices

Systems and methods are disclosed for prosthetic devices. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a first section attachable to an abutment screw of a percutaneous implant; a second section attachable to a prosthetic limb; a latch for coupling the first section with the second section, the latch releasable in response to an overload on the prosthetic limb. A compliance component may be positioned between the first section and the second section, such that when the latch releases in response to the overload, the compliance component provides a tension between the first section and the second section.

Safety overload for direct skeletal attachment

Systems and methods for assistive devices for replacing or augmenting the limb of an individual, such devices comprising a joint and a powered system; the powered system having a first configuration in which the powered system rotates the joint by applying power to the joint, and a second configuration that allows for rotation of the joint without actuation of the powered system.

Powered and passive assistive device and related methods

A drive mechanism for a wheelchair may include a hand grip having a continuous track that moves over a drive rotator. The hand grip may have a flat, top surface that extends ventrally from the wheelchair. The drive mechanism may include a drivetrain connected to the drive rotator, such that movement of the hand grip in a dorsal or a ventral direction causes the drive rotator to rotate, and such rotation actuates the drivetrain. The drive mechanism may further comprise a switch. When the switch is in a first position, actuation of the drivetrain drives the wheels of the wheelchair. When the switch is in a second position, actuation of the drivetrain drives a mechanism that lifts the wheelchair into a standing position.

Hand drive mechanism for mobile vehicle

Embodiments for superficial tissue compliance modulation and negative pressure wound therapy for stabilization of a chronic percutaneous implant are disclosed. An external cap is coupled to a compliance gradient of progressively decreasing stiffness. Together the external cap and compliance gradient act as a stress shield that allows forces that would otherwise act on the skin at the skin-implant interface to be dissipated over a larger area. In addition, negative pressure and fluids may be applied through negative pressure and fluid adapters, respectively, to the skin-implant interface, the status of which may be further monitored through the use of one or more sensors.

Stress shield and infection control for a skin-implant interface

Apparatus and methods are provided for determining a locomotion mode that can be provided to a controller of a lower prosthesis limb in order to accurately control the prosthesis. One or more prosthesis sensors are provided that break a gait cycle down into a plurality of gait phases. EMG sensors provide signals to a processor that directs them to a gait phase specific classifier that is used to determine a particular locomotion mode for the wearer. With the locomotion mode accurately known, the prosthetic device can be accurately controlled.

Identification and implementation of locomotion modes using surface electromyography

An Intramedullary Distraction Osteotomy (IM DO) apparatus and corresponding methods are disclosed that allow for the patient or another to lengthen residual bone. The apparatus may be inserted into the intramedullary canal of the residual bone and may be lengthened through the application of a traction force. The apparatus protrudes from the body through a single percutaneous site. Lengthening of the amputated limb is achieved by the application of a controlled traction force that is generated by turning a lengthening knob external to the percutaneous site. One or more additional screw segments may be utilized to assist in limb lengthening. The traction force serves to separate a distal bone segment from a proximal bone segment at a specified, controllable rate, allowing new bone growth to fill in the resulting gap. Components of the apparatus provide support and alignment to the residual bone during both the lengthening and consolidation phases. External components of the apparatus may be removed after desired limb length has been achieved, reducing the risk of infection and improving patient mobility.

Limb lengthening system for residual limb

Embodiments of the invention provides myoelectric prosthesis control system that include a gel liner that has a plurality of layers and a plurality of leads at least partially positioned between the plurality of layers. In addition, a plurality of electrodes can be coupled to the leads and portions of the electrodes can also be positioned between the plurality of layers. At least some of the electrodes can include an electrode pole that is configured to contract the residual limb to detect electromyographic signals.

Systems and methods of myoelectric prosthesis control

A prosthetic assembly for a residual limb that includes a sleeve for attachment to a distal portion of the residual limb, where the attachment member has a diametrically oriented magnetic field, and a prosthesis with a socket for receiving the sleeve, where the prosthesis socket has a distal end with an attachment member having a corresponding diametrically oriented magnetic field. The diametrically oriented magnetic fields of the sleeve and prosthetic attachment members may be oriented on the prosthesis and the residual limb to achieve a predetermined rotational orientation between the prosthesis and the residual limb and will facilitate removal of the prosthesis with a twisting action.

Prosthetic-to-liner attachment mechanism

A method and apparatus for improving the control of prosthetic limb rotation in amputees in which a permanent magnet is implanted into the distal end of a residual bone and the bone rotation is sensed from movement of the magnetic field of the magnet and used to effect corresponding rotation of the prosthetic limb.

Method and apparatus for prosthetic limb rotation control

A unique flexible cover and a method are provided for creating such a flexible cover for a prosthesis, orthosis or other dynamic or flexible supporting device. One implementation of the method includes the steps of capturing an image of a target object comprising at least a portion of an existing body part of a person or another object, digitally processing and manipulating the image of the target object to form a representation, printing the representation onto a flexible cover, and applying the cover to a prosthesis, orthosis, or other object.

Growing community of inventors

Oak Park, IL, United States of America

Todd Kuiken