The system includes an instrument for determining the anatomical, biomechanical, and physiological properties of a body segment that includes one or more force sensitive probes is provided. A human operator actuates one or more force sensitive probes, wherein the force sensitive probes are positioned at the surface of the body segment. The operator pushes on the force sensitive probes with varying force applied on the body segment to measure tissue deflection forces. The instrument may include one or more of gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers capable of measuring changes in tissue deflection caused by the force sensitive probes relative to a grounded reference frame in 3-D space, wherein the tissue deflection force data and the change in tissue deflection data are used to compute segment tissue viscoelastic properties. The instrument may also be untethered or wireless.

An apparatus for transferring bio-ink onto a target having a slide defining a receiving area of a film of fluid containing inhomogeneities, a laser source associated with controlled diversion means and an optical block for focusing in a plane of the fluid film in order to apply a local pulse, wherein the apparatus also comprises imaging means and means for analyzing images in order to recognize the geometric positions of the inhomogeneities in the film, and an observable feature of each of the inhomogeneities (size, shape factor, type of particles, age of the particle, density, type of biomaterial, molecule, etc.) recognized by the appropriate analysis means. The apparatus further comprises selection means for selecting at least one of the inhomogeneous areas, and means for controlling the diversion in order to direct the laser beam toward the position of the inhomogeneous area and trigger the firing of the laser.

A system and method for a compliant four-bar linkage mechanism for a robotic finger that includes: a monolithic bone structure comprised of a compliant joint region and an input link segment and a coupler link segment, wherein the input link segment and the coupler link segment are connected through the compliant joint; an output link; a ground structure; wherein the monolithic bone structure, output link, and ground structure are connected through a set of joints in a configuration of a compliant four-bar linkage mechanism which comprises: the output link on a first end and the coupler link segment connected through an output joint, the output link on a second end connected to a ground joint on the ground structure, and the monolithic bone structure connected to an input joint connected to the ground structure; and an actuation input coupled to the input joint.

A prosthetic foot including a continuous body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The body includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface opposite the anterior surface, and a fin on the posterior surface. A prosthetic foot can include a first footplate and a second footplate. The first footplate extends between a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal and distal portions of the first footplate are configured to operatively engage a support surface during ambulation. The second footplate extends between a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion of the second footplate is coupled to the first footplate at an intermediate location between the proximal and distal portions of the first footplate. The second footplate incudes an anterior surface, a posterior surface opposite the anterior surface, and a fin on the posterior surface.

A dynamic support system includes a control system for controlling inflation and deflation of at least one actuator having an inlet connectable to the a control unit of the dynamic support system. The control unit may be in communication with a sensor and may control inflation and deflation of the at least one actuator in response to information provided by the sensor.

A ventilated prosthetic socket includes a rigid, structural and load-bearing socket body forming an inner volume adapted to receive a residual limb, and a wall thickness extending from an inner wall surface bordering the inner volume to an outer wall surface. The socket body defines an opening extending through the wall thickness. At least one vent element communicates the inner wall surface to the outer wall surface and extending therebetween in the opening along the socket body to thereby permit a transfer of air from the inner volume to outside of the socket through the opening. The at least one vent element is separately formed from the socket body and discretely insertable into the opening and secured against the inner surface and the outer wall surface. A method and kit are provided to adapt the socket in a ventilated form.

A system for electronically capturing a subject's anatomy. Software programming directs the user to position the camera to recognize the anatomy. It uses anatomical features of the recognized subject's anatomy, patient data entered by the user and anthropometric data to estimate the optimal position of virtual markers. Furthermore, it places the virtual markers on an image presented to the user on the display screen at the estimated optimal position, while utilizing an auto-zoom and the virtual markers to zoom in to provide proper framing. The auto-zoom is utilized while maintaining a substantially fixed camera distance from the subject. The programming provides feedback based on the anatomical features for directing the user to move the camera appropriately relative to the virtual markers, thereby resulting in an optimized view of the anatomical information. The end-user software program captures the optimized view of the anatomical information via the camera to provide output data.

The system includes an instrument for determining the anatomical, biomechanical, and physiological properties of a body segment that includes one or more force sensitive probes is provided. A human operator actuates one or more force sensitive probes, wherein the force sensitive probes are positioned at the surface of the body segment. The operator pushes on the force sensitive probes with varying force applied on the body segment to measure tissue deflection forces. The instrument may include one or more of gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers capable of measuring changes in tissue deflection caused by the force sensitive probes relative to a grounded reference frame in 3-D space, wherein the tissue deflection force data and the change in tissue deflection data are used to compute segment tissue viscoelastic properties. The instrument may also be untethered or wireless.

Springs can provide energy return and have a conductivity that changes in relation to an amount of strain or deformation of the spring. In some embodiments, the springs are made by multi-material 3D printing (additive manufacturing). Such springs made by multi-material 3D printing may include a first material that is electrically non-conductive and a second material that electrically conductive. The extent of deformation or strain of the spring may be determined or estimated by measuring the conductivity or resistivity of the electrically conductive material portion of the spring.

A system and method for a compliant four-bar linkage mechanism for a robotic finger that includes: a monolithic bone structure comprised of a compliant joint region and an input link segment and a coupler link segment, wherein the input link segment and the coupler link segment are connected through the compliant joint; an output link; a ground structure; wherein the monolithic bone structure, output link, and ground structure are connected through a set of joints in a configuration of a compliant four-bar linkage mechanism which comprises: the output link on a first end and the coupler link segment connected through an output joint, the output link on a second end connected to a ground joint on the ground structure, and the monolithic bone structure connected to an input joint connected to the ground structure; and an actuation input coupled to the input joint.