An apparatus comprises a main arm having links extending from a ground end to an effector end and allowing movement of the effector end from a first position to a second position, the links including at least a base link adapted to be pivotally connected to a base, and a spacing link pivotally mounted to a free end of the base link and extending to the effector end. A first 4-bar parallelogram has pivot joints at its corners and including the base link of the main arm. A second 4-bar parallelogram has pivot joints at its corners and including the spacing link of the main arm and an effector link at the effector end adapted to support an object. A serial interconnection is between the first 4-bar parallelogram and the second 4-bar parallelogram constraining the effector link to maintaining a constant orientation in at least two rotational degrees of freedom relative to the base.

An apparatus comprises a main arm having links extending from a ground end to an effector end and allowing movement of the effector end from a first position to a second position, the links including at least a base link adapted to be pivotally connected to a base, and a spacing link pivotally mounted to a free end of the base link and extending to the effector end. A first 4-bar parallelogram has pivot joints at its corners and including the base link of the main arm. A second 4-bar parallelogram has pivot joints at its corners and including the spacing link of the main arm and an effector link at the effector end adapted to support an object. A serial interconnection is between the first 4-bar parallelogram and the second 4-bar parallelogram constraining the effector link to maintaining a constant orientation in at least two rotational degrees of freedom relative to the base.

Universal switch modules, universal switches, and methods of using the same are disclosed, including methods of preparing an individual to interface with an electronic device or software. For example, a method is disclosed that can include measuring brain-related signals of the individual to obtain a first sensed brain-related signal when the individual generates a task-irrelevant thought. The method can include transmitting the first sensed brain-related signal to a processing unit. The method can include associating the task-irrelevant thought and the first sensed brain-related signal with N input commands. The method can include compiling the task-irrelevant thought, the first sensed brain-related signal, and the N input commands to an electronic database.

A handheld tool includes a handle; an implement mount configured to detachably accept and to rigidly hold a user-assistive implement; an actuator assembly mounted to the handle to physically manipulate the implement mount relative to the handle; a first sensor disposed to sense an orientation of the handle; a second sensor disposed to sense an orientation of the user-assistive implement; a controller disposed in or on the handle and coupled to the actuator assembly and the first and second sensors; and memory coupled to the controller. The memory stores instructions for identifying a type of the user-assistive implement attached to the implement mount, selecting a behavior routine based upon the type of the user-assistive implement identified, and manipulating the user-assistive implement relative to the handle according to the behavior routine to aid performance of a task with the handheld tool.

A handheld tool includes a handle; an implement mount configured to detachably accept and to rigidly hold a user-assistive implement; an actuator assembly mounted to the handle to physically manipulate the implement mount relative to the handle; a first sensor disposed to sense an orientation of the handle; a second sensor disposed to sense an orientation of the user-assistive implement; a controller disposed in or on the handle and coupled to the actuator assembly and the first and second sensors; and memory coupled to the controller. The memory stores instructions for identifying a type of the user-assistive implement attached to the implement mount, selecting a behavior routine based upon the type of the user-assistive implement identified, and manipulating the user-assistive implement relative to the handle according to the behavior routine to aid performance of a task with the handheld tool.

The system of neurorehabilitation and the method of neurorehabilitation belongs to the medical field, specifically to neurology, and can be used as a system and method of neurorehabilitation during motor rehabilitation of patients after a stroke in various phases, as well as during the rehabilitation of patients with other diseases and disorders of the central nervous system. The objective of the claimed invention is the motor (movement) rehabilitation of patients after stroke and other diseases of the central nervous system that cause motor deficits in the limbs. The technical result of the invention is to increase the effectiveness of rehabilitation, including during early and late rehabilitation period of stroke and other diseases and disorders of the central nervous system through the use of the system and method of neurorehabilitation and methods of this invention, which stimulate the restoration of mobility of paralyzed limbs by forming neural biofeedback connections between the patient's intention to move the limb and its implementation.

Various implementations include an assistive driving device including a base, a first post, a second post, a third post, and a selector. The first post is for receiving a portion of a palm of a hand of a user and has a proximal end and a distal end. The second post has a proximal end and a distal end. The third post has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends of the first, second, and third posts are coupled to the base. The second post and the third post are positioned to receive a portion of an arm of the user. The selector is spaced apart from the first post and positioned such that the selector is actuatable with a dorsum of the hand of the user.

Various implementations include an assistive driving device including a base, a first post, a second post, a third post, and a selector. The first post is for receiving a portion of a palm of a hand of a user and has a proximal end and a distal end. The second post has a proximal end and a distal end. The third post has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends of the first, second, and third posts are coupled to the base. The second post and the third post are positioned to receive a portion of an arm of the user. The selector is spaced apart from the first post and positioned such that the selector is actuatable with a dorsum of the hand of the user.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a charging apparatus for charging and/or powering a smart or powered crutch device. The crutch may include electronic circuitry as well as on board rechargeable power or energy source, and it may provide access to charge the power source using a charger system. The charger system may be a floor charger configured to receive a portion of the crutch such as the distal tip so as to facilitate the transfer of power from the charger to the crutch. The charger system may also be in the form of a wall charger and/or a portable system.

A wearer is made to judge, based on a detection result by a signal detection unit, either one of an opposition movement, an adduction movement, a flexion movement, and an extension movement of a thumb; and a linear member drive unit is controlled to pull or relax each linear member corresponding to the judged movement in order to cause the thumb's intrinsic muscles and/or extrinsic muscles, which are required for the judged movement, to generate an assist force.