A magnetorheological transmission device and a method for influencing the coupling intensity of two components, which can be coupled and whose coupling intensity can be influenced. To influence the coupling intensity, a channel is provided, which contains a magnetorheological medium with magnetically polarizable particles. A magnetic field generating unit generates a magnetic field in the channel in order to influence the magnetorheological medium in the channel. An outer component encloses an inner component. At least one of the two components is mounted via a separate bearing. A distance between the outer and inner components is at least 10 times as great as a typical mean diameter of the magnetically polarizable particles in the magnetorheological medium. The magnetic field of the magnetic field generating unit can be applied to the channel in order to selectively chain together the particles and/or release them.

A joint device of an orthosis or prosthesis or for an orthosis or prosthesis with an upper part, a lower part, a joint that comprises a joint axis, about which the upper part is mounted such that it can be swivelled relative to the lower part, and an actuator, which is designed to influence a swivelling of the upper part relative to the lower part. The actuator is mounted at an upper part fixing point on the upper part and at a lower part fixing point on the lower part. At least two joints are arranged between the upper part fixing point and the lower part fixing point, wherein the joints enable a swivelling of the actuator relative to the upper part fixing point and the lower part fixing point, and the joint each form at least one joint axis, at least one of which is not oriented parallel to the joint axis.

The disclosed invention is an innovative, cost-efficient driving mechanism for the prosthetic hand industry that makes the use of only one motor to individually control each digit on a prosthetic hand separately. The use of the novel electromagnetic actuation system, locking mechanism, and spline nut and shaft configuration coupled with the single motor greatly reduces the weight, size and power usage of the prosthetic, increases functionality, minimizes noise, increases and speeds and forces, and orients the parts of the device in a manner that creates an aesthetically appealing design.

A magnetorheological transmission device and a method for influencing the coupling intensity of two components, which can be coupled and whose coupling intensity can be influenced. To influence the coupling intensity, a channel is provided, which contains a magnetorheological medium with magnetically polarizable particles. A magnetic field generating unit generates a magnetic field in the channel in order to influence the magnetorheological medium in the channel. An outer component encloses an inner component. At least one of the two components is mounted via a separate bearing. A distance between the outer and inner components at least 10 times as great as a typical mean diameter of the magnetically polarizable particles in the magnetorheological medium. The magnetic field of the magnetic field generating unit can be applied to the channel in order to selectively chain together the particles and/or release them.

An orthotic device is disclosed. The orthotic device can comprise a passive orthosis and at least one sensor. At least a first portion of the orthosis can be configured to be positioned on a first side of a joint of a user. At least a second portion of the orthosis can be configured to be positioned on a second side of the joint of a user. The at least one sensor can be coupled to the orthosis and configured to collect data indicative of a user's response to a resistive force applied to the joint.

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to a device for providing mobility assistance to a user. In one embodiment, a mobility system includes a support component including at least a waist device that is configured to secure the mobility system to the user at a waist area of the user. The mobility system includes a limb attached to the support component and extendable from the support component to a floor when the user is in a standing position. The limb is configured to support the user by providing a rigid structure between the floor and the user. The limb is configured to assist the user in transitioning from a seated position to the standing position by applying a substantially upward force to the user through the support component when transitioning to the standing position.

A palm unit for an artificial hand comprises: a palm unit body (70); a motor (68) held by the palm unit body (70); a hydraulic pump assembly (72) held by the palm unit body (70) and comprising a low-pressure hydraulic pump (76) and a high-pressure hydraulic pump (74), wherein both hydraulic pumps (74, 76) are powered simultaneously by the motor (68); and a hydraulic circuit held by the palm unit body (70) and coupled to both hydraulic pumps (74, 76), wherein the hydraulic circuit has a low-pressure configuration in which the discharge sides of both hydraulic pumps (74, 76) are coupled to one or more hydraulic actuator(s) (36, 38) for the artificial hand and a high-pressure configuration in which the discharge side of the low-pressure pump (76) is isolated from the hydraulic actuator(s) (36, 38) and recirculates fluid to the suction side of the low pressure pump (76) with the discharge side of the high-pressure pump (74) remaining coupled to the hydraulic actuator(s) (36, 38), and wherein the hydraulic circuit is arranged to switch from the low-pressure configuration to the high-pressure configuration automatically during a closing grip pattern when the pressure in the system increases beyond a threshold value.

A system comprises one or more wearable devices including a first body interface adapted to be secured to a first bodily part. A second body interface is adapted to be secured to a second bodily part separated from the first bodily part by a physiological joint. One or more joints provide one or more degrees of freedom between the first body interface and the second body interface. A magnetorheological (MR) fluid actuator unit comprises one or more power sources. An MR fluid clutch apparatus receiving torque from the at least one power source, the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus operable to generate a variable amount of torque transmission when subjected to a magnetic field. A transmission couples the MR fluid actuator unit to the wearable device for converting torque from the MR fluid actuator unit to relative movement of the body interfaces with respect to one another.

A locking/unlocking device for a knee prosthesis, comprising a femoral section and a tibial section provided with a tibial plate. These two femoral and tibial sections are both rotatably mounted, coaxial about an axis, comprising a disk constituting the femoral section, two left and right flanges, and a through-shaft, a freewheel assembly comprises a pinion provided with ramps and one rolling member per ramp, an unlocking arrangement comprising a wheel with pins, and a part remote from the unlocking arrangement comprising an angular control comprising at least one connecting rod interposed between the remote part and the tibial plate.

A system for powering a prosthetic arm is disclosed. The system includes at least one internal battery located in the prosthetic arm, at least one external battery connected to the prosthetic arm, and a master controller configured to connect either the at least one internal battery or the at least one external battery to a power bus to power the prosthetic arm.