A61F2002/701

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING A PROSTHETIC OR ORTHOTIC DEVICE
20220378588 · 2022-12-01 ·

A prosthetic or orthotic device (POD) can include first and second limb members coupled at a joint, an actuator, and a controller. The actuator can be configured to actuate the first limb member relative to the second limb member. The controller can cause the actuator to exhibit a force rejection behavior during a portion of stance phase and cause the actuator to exhibit a force following behavior during a portion of swing phase. The controller can, based on a determination that a gait parameter satisfies a gait parameter threshold, cause the actuator to at least one of: apply a first torque at the joint to cause the POD to flex during a portion of stance phase, decelerate flexion of the POD during at least a first portion of the swing phase, or decelerate extension of the POD during at least a second portion of the swing phase.

PROSTHETIC KNEE WITH SWING ASSIST

The present disclosure provides for a device and method of control for an artificial prosthetic knee. A prosthetic knee according to the present disclosure relies on strictly passive means of providing support during weight bearing and supplements a resistive swing-phase mechanism with a small powered actuator. This actuator adds power to the knee, exclusively during swing phase, to improve swing-phase behavior. In particular, the knee still relies on the resistive swing-phase mechanism to provide nominal swing-phase knee motion, but supplements that motion as needed with the small powered actuator.

BIONIC WRIST JOINT BASED ON ASYMMETRIC 3-RRR PARALLEL MECHANISM

The invention discloses a bionic wrist joint based on an asymmetric 3-RRR parallel mechanism, including: an asymmetric 3-RRR parallel mechanism and a drive unit. The asymmetric 3-RRR parallel mechanism includes: a moving platform, a first static platform, and three asymmetrically distributed parallel branch chains, wherein each branch chain includes a passive rod and an active rod. An end of the active rod is connected to the first static platform via the revolute pair, and another end thereof is connected to the passive rod via the revolute pair. The axes of the revolute pairs at two ends of the active rod form an axis included angle. Three axis included angles are different, the passive rod and the moving platform are connected by the revolute pair, and three axis included angles corresponding to the passive rods are different. The drive unit is configured to drive the asymmetric 3-RRR parallel mechanism to move.

Wearable assisted-walking device

Provided is a wearable assisted-walking device including one lower attachment body to the foot defining a lower anchoring point at the heel of the foot of a leg of the user; an upper attachment body to an upper part of the leg proximal from the knee defining an upper ventral anchoring point and an upper dorsal anchoring point arranged on the opposite side of the coronal plane of the user; and an intermediate attachment body defining a first intermediate anchoring point, a second intermediate anchoring point and a third intermediate anchoring point, each anchoring point movable respect and connected by cables to the leg; the intermediate attachment body being adapted to store the energy by a relative motion between the anchoring points and then use it for assist walking.

Lower limb powered orthosis with low ratio actuation

The present disclosure is relates to an orthosis device. The orthosis device, in one embodiment, includes an actuator housing, and an electric motor coupled to the actuator housing, the electric motor including a motor stator and a motor rotor, and the electric motor further having high output torque. The orthosis device, in this embodiment, further includes a low-ratio transmission coupled to the actuator housing, the transmission including a gear system coupled to the actuator housing, and a drive system coupling the electric motor and the gear system, wherein a combination of the electric motor and transmission provide a user backdrivable orthosis device.

MULTI-DEGREE-OF-FREEDOM MYOELECTRIC ARTIFICIAL HAND CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING SAME
20220355469 · 2022-11-10 ·

Provided are a multi-degree-of-freedom myoelectric artificial hand control system and a method for using same. The system comprises a robotic hand, a robotic wrist (2), a stump receiving cavity (1) and a data processor (3), wherein the robotic hand and the stump receiving cavity (1) are respectively mounted on two ends of the robotic wrist (2); a multi-channel myoelectric array electrode oversleeve, a control unit circuit board, and a battery are connected in the stump receiving cavity (1); and the other end of the control unit circuit board is connected to the robotic hand and the robotic wrist (2). The method for using the system comprises the following steps: (S1) a user wearing a multi-channel myoelectric array electrode oversleeve, and connecting a battery and a control unit circuit board; (S2) the user completing a gesture, collecting a surface electromyography signal and then uploading same to a data processor (3); (S3) the data processor (3) receiving the surface electromyography signal and inputting same into a neural network algorithm to generate a gesture prediction model; and (S4) the user controlling the multi-degree-of-freedom movement of the robotic wrist (2) and the robotic hand. By means of the system, continuous gestures and the gesture strength thereof can be identified, and multi-degree-of-freedom gestures can be made.

Artificial joints using agonist-antagonist actuators

Artificial limbs and joints that behave like biological limbs and joints employ a synthetic actuator which consumes negligible power when exerting zero force, consumes negligible power when outputting force at constant length (isometric) and while performing dissipative, nonconservative work, is capable of independently engaging flexion and extension tendon-like, series springs, is capable of independently varying joint position and stiffness, and exploits series elasticity for mechanical power amplification.

ENERGY CONSERVATION OF A MOTOR-DRIVEN DIGIT
20230096427 · 2023-03-30 ·

Routines and methods disclosed herein can increase a power efficiency of a prosthetic hand without drastically reducing the speed at which it operates. A prosthesis can implement an acceleration profile, which can reduce an energy consumption of a motor, or an amount of electrical and/or mechanical noise produced by a motor, as the motor as the motor transitions from an idle state to a non-idle state. A prosthesis can implement a deceleration profile, which can reduce the energy consumption of the motor, or an amount of electrical and/or mechanical noise produced by a motor, as the motor transitions from a non-idle state to an idle state.

METHOD AND SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE LIMB MOVEMENT IN AMPUTEES

A limb activation system includes a sensor configured to monitor movement of a user. The system also includes a processor operatively coupled to the sensor and configured to determine, based on the movement of the user, that the user is engaged in walking or running. The processor is also configured to generate an activation signal responsive to the determination that the user is engaged in walking or running. A data-based model integrates sensor information to drive activation and arm swing of the affected upper limb.

Compact wrist rotator and flexor

The present disclosure is directed to a compact wrist rotator and flexor mechanism for use with a prosthetic hand. The wrist rotator and flexor uses a set of motors to provide a driven mechanism having two degrees of freedom, a wrist rotation and a wrist flexion. The rotator uses a motor with an inverted shaft gearbox combined with a worm gear and a face gear transmission to generate continuous and non-backdrivable rotation. The rotator is integrated into a flexor that uses a lead screw acting as a linear actuator to provide strong non-backdrivable flexion and extension. Due to the arrangement of the drives, the resulting wrist rotator and flexor mechanism has a low and compact profile.