University System of Maryland

Step Analysis LLC

Uri Tasch

Jason Dunthorn

Parimal G Rajkondawar

Alan M Lefcourt

Patrick J Kalup

David L Manion

Benny Erez

Arie Kalkstein

Mark Varner

Yehoshua Meiseles

Amos Levin

Disclosed herein is a gait analysis apparatus that is configured to provide multidimensional measures of the gait of an individual as the individual traverses the gait analysis apparatus. The gait analysis apparatus may be configured to provide a gait measuring processing device with the multidimensional measurements. Based on the multidimensional measurements, the gait measuring process device may, for example, diagnose the test subject with lameness or particular neuromuscular dysfunctions (NM) disease and/or injury, monitor progression of lameness or a particular NM disease and/or injury over time, determine a static weight as the test subject is traversing, monitor the static weight of the test subject over an extended period time, and/or determine which measurements may be used as biomarkers to identify lameness or the particular NM disease and/or injury. A system including a gait analysis apparatus is also disclosed.

Multidimensional acceleration and/or force gait analysis system for diagnosis

A system and method for measuring and analyzing locomotion is provided. The system may include a gait analysis apparatus that is configured to provide multi-dimensional measurements of the gait of an individual as the individual traverses the apparatus. The multiple dimensions may include force, space, time, and frequency. The gait analysis apparatus may be configured to provide a gait measurement processing device with the multi-dimensional measurements. Based on the multi-dimensional measurements, the gait measurement processing device may, for example, diagnose the test subject with a particular NM disease and/or injury, monitor progression of the particular NM disease and/or injury over time, and determine which measurements may be used as biomarkers to identify the particular NM disease and/or injury.

Diagnosis system and method

A method and instruction set stored in a computer readable medium are provided to singulate the limbs of a plurality of animals traversing an instrumented force-sensing floor. The method and the instruction set include the steps of (a) obtaining a data file comprising positional data and ground reaction force data for the animals traversing an instrumented force-sensing floor; (b) dividing the positional data into a plurality of time zones, each time zone having a start time and an end time; (c) determining whether each of said time zones represents positional data and ground reaction force data for a single limb or for multiple limbs; (d) singulating multiple limb time zones into a plurality of separate single limb time zones; (e) identifying each limb in each time zone as a fore limb or a hind limb and a left limb or a right limb; and (f) associating each identified fore and hind limb with a respective one of the animals.

Method and system for dynamic recordation and analysis of animal characteristics

A computer-based diagnostic system is provided to detect and analyze ground reaction forces produced by an animal passing through the diagnostic system, and includes, in one aspect, a first plate and a second plate disposed adjacent the first plate, a first plurality of load cells, and a second plurality of load cells. Each of the first and second plurality of load cells are configured to detect, respectively, a force applied to the first plate and the second plate along at least one axis and output signals representative of the detected force. A processor is provided to execute at least one force analysis instruction set, whereby the force analysis instruction set receives the signals output from the first and second plurality of load cells and calculates, a magnitude and location of a force applied to either of the first plate and the second plate.

Method and apparatus for detecting lameness in animals

The present invention provides an apparatus for controlling the angular positioning and stiffness modulations of a joint of a robotic manipulator by use of first and second motors and a control mechanisms. The first motor, preferably a direct current motor, controls angular positioning, while the second motor, preferably a servo motor, controls stiffness modulations. The angular positioning and stiffness modulations take place simultaneously, yet independently, thereby preventing interference. The first and second motors and the control mechanism are positioned within a housing. The control mechanism includes a shaft support member and threaded and non-threaded shafts. The threaded and non-threaded shafts extend from the first and second motors through threaded and non-threaded apertures, respectively, in the shaft support member to the housing where the threaded shaft is bearing mounted and the non-threaded shaft is supported in an aperture in the endwall of the housing to connect a pulley outside of the housing which is connected to a joint and link arrangement of a robotic manipulator. The shaft support member translates back and forth within the housing dependent on its position on the threaded shaft. When the shaft support member is nearer the housing endwall, the effective length of the shaft is short, the joint is stiff, effectively making the link stiff. When the shaft support member is nearer the shaft connection end of the motors, the effective length of the shaft is longer, the effective spring is soft, effectively making the actuator and link soft.

Apparatus for controlling angular positioning and stiffness modulations

Apparatus cyclically severs a cap from one end of an oil filter canister and permits separation of the components of the filter and crushing of those components. A front plate extends vertically upwardly from a table top and supports the canister whose axis is horizontal. A plurality of rotatable wheel cutters move radially into contact with the outer periphery of the canister to support the canister, captured behind the cutter wheels. A vertical back plate moves horizontally across the table top and supports a rotatable block carrying sharp horizontally projecting impaling pins which penetrate the bottom of the canister. A rotary air wrench drives the rotary block causing severance of the cap. During movement of the back plate rearwardly, the canister is separated from the cap, and from the internal hollow filter element captured by a filter element gripper mechanism. The gripper mechanism is axially retractable thereby releasing the filter element. The filter element falls downwardly by gravity and the canister is automatically released after separation from the oil filter element. The back plate then moves towards the front plate, and the canister and the filter element are serially crushed. Retraction of the cutter wheels permits the captured cap to fall.

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Baltimore, MD, United States of America

Uri Tasch