A hand washing assistive device includes a prosthetic hand, a supportive arm, a support mechanism, and a mechanism for removably coupling the support member to an underlying surface. The supportive arm is coupled to the prosthetic hand. The support member is coupled to the supportive arm and has a connector that permits the supportive arm to be movable. The prosthetic hand is configured to provide a complementary hand to a user's hand for washing purposes.

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.

The present disclosure relates generally to systems, methods, and devices for interpreting neural signals to determine a desired movement of a target, transmitting electrical signals to the target, and dynamically monitoring subsequent neural signals or movement of the target to change the signal being delivered if necessary, so that the desired movement is achieved. In particular, the neural signals are decoded using a feature extractor, decoder(s) and a body state observer to determine the electrical signals that should be sent.

The present disclosure relates generally to systems, methods, and devices for interpreting neural signals to determine a desired movement of a target, transmitting electrical signals to the target, and dynamically monitoring subsequent neural signals or movement of the target to change the signal being delivered if necessary, so that the desired movement is achieved. In particular, the neural signals are decoded using a feature extractor, decoder(s) and a body state observer to determine the electrical signals that should be sent.

A sensor which detects voluntary movements of ear structures, including the ear drum complex, which triggers user interfaces of electronic devices to enable communication and other activities by interaction with assistive technology. The method of detecting this voluntary movement may also be used to trigger and control user interfaces in connected devices such as mobile telephones and incorporated into multi-function earphones.

Physical assistance for identification of an input location on a touchscreen may include detecting that a user has contacted a touchscreen at an initial touch point with a pointing device, predicting an input location from one or more input locations for receiving input on the touchscreen, determining a path from the initial touch point to the predicted input location, and generating a physical cursor on the touchscreen at a location proximate to the pointing device, wherein the physical cursor is a raised portion of the touchscreen.

Physical assistance for identification of an input location on a touchscreen may include detecting that a user has contacted a touchscreen at an initial touch point with a pointing device, predicting an input location from one or more input locations for receiving input on the touchscreen, determining a path from the initial touch point to the predicted input location, and generating a physical cursor on the touchscreen at a location proximate to the pointing device, wherein the physical cursor is a raised portion of the touchscreen.

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.

Provided are methods of contextual decoding and/or speech decoding from the brain of a subject. The methods include decoding neural or optical signals from the cortical region of an individual, extracting context-related features and/or speech-related features from the neural or optical signals, and decoding the context-related features and/or speech-related features from the neural or optical signals. Contextual decoding and speech decoding systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Provided are methods of contextual decoding and/or speech decoding from the brain of a subject. The methods include decoding neural or optical signals from the cortical region of an individual, extracting context-related features and/or speech-related features from the neural or optical signals, and decoding the context-related features and/or speech-related features from the neural or optical signals. Contextual decoding and speech decoding systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.