An assistive device is disclosed that includes a plurality of control systems for controlling active and passive tasks. The assistive device accommodates active power generation when needed, but is otherwise configured to switch to passive control for other tasks. The assistive device further includes a continuously variable transmission to optimize movement of the assistive device for a variety of tasks. The assistive device includes a lower limb embodiment defining an artificial knee joint controlled by the plurality of control systems.

A prosthetic socket for a residual limb of the lower extremity or upper extremity of an individual person is provided. The residual limb has particular dimensions and anatomical contours; the prosthetic socket has dimensions and contours that fit the dimensions and contours of the residual limb. The prosthetic socket may also fit in a manner that is biomechanically appropriate for the individual. The prosthetic socket may be an assembly from groups of components that include (a) struts arranged longitudinally with respect to the residual limb, (b) proximal brim members arranged proximally to the struts and connected thereto; and (c) distal socket members disposed at the distal base of the prosthetic socket. The socket components within these groups may be modular in that they can vary with respect to dimensions and/or contours, and yet have common connecting features that permit assembly of the components together to form the prosthetic socket.

Embodiments of the present invention provide improved prosthetic devices. The prosthetic devices may be fabricated using environmental friendly, renewable and sustainable materials. Methods of manufacturing the devices are also provided. Additionally, the present invention provides an environmental friendly, renewable and sustainable substitute for carbon and/or fiberglass materials.

A prosthetic digit usable with capacitive panels is provided. The digit includes at least one conductive layer surrounding the body of the digit, and a non-conductive sealing layer around the conductive layer preventing direct external contact of the conductive layer with the capacitive panel. The digit may have a conductive tip pad to create a series capacitive pathway between the conductive layer of the body and the electrodes of the capacitive panel. Using the digit with a capacitive panel does not require a direct conductive pathway, e.g., a pathway between the capacitive panel and the structure of the device, the user's skin, or metallic sink.

A separated prosthetic foot with a transverse arch belongs to the technical field of manufacturing of artificial limbs. The characteristics of the transverse arch of the human foot are combined into the previous transverse-straight carbon fiber foot design to improve the stiffness of the prosthetic foot and reduce the weight of the prosthetic foot. A forefoot part employs a separated curved plate design, and two simple curved plates with different curvatures are used for simulating a complex curved surface of the transverse arch of the human, such that the manufacturing cost is reduced, and the various parts of the sole are non-uniform in stiffness distribution: the outer side of the foot is a single-layer forefoot plate with a smaller curvature and minor stiffness; and the inner side of the foot is a double-layer stacked forefoot plate, and the lower layer plate has a large radius in curvature and stiffness.

A double-helix weave architecture for an artificial muscle is described. The artificial muscle includes a number of microfluidic channels that are arranged into artificial muscles fibers, where each artificial muscle fiber includes two independent mutually-unconnected microfluidic channels that are entwined in a double helix weave and maintained at opposite electrical polarity.

A bio-printing process comprises a step of preparing a target digital model representative of the three-dimensional organization of the tissue to be produced, a step of controlling a bio-printing instrument for the deposition of a plurality of layers of living cells and of biomaterials, a step of calculation of a digital printing model as a function of the digital model of the product to be produced, and of a model predicting change, and also characteristics of the constituents to be printed. The step of controlling the bio-printing instrument is carried out according to the digital printing model calculated in this way. A system is also described for implementing this process.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a breast prosthesis, in which a first dispersion of a first granular material is introduced into a cross-linkable silicone compound. The silicone compound subsequently is cured in order to form a prosthesis body, wherein the prosthesis body is heated to a shrinking temperature which lies above the melting point of the thermoplastic material.

A prosthetic device includes a footshell having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first portion polymer lattice structure and the second portion has a second portion polymer lattice structure. The first portion polymer lattice structure has a first set of mechanical properties and the second portion polymer lattice structure has a second set of mechanical properties different from the first set of mechanical properties. The footshell also includes a sole attached to a bottom of the first portion and the second portion, wherein the sole is formed of a solid material.

A method of making a thermoplastic gel prosthetic liner for use with a prosthetic assembly that acts as the interface between the residual limb of an amputee and the socket assembly. The prosthetic liner comprises an open proximal end, a closed distal end, and sidewalls comprising an inner layer of molded thermoplastic gel. The thermoplastic gel is molded over a mandrel that has been sandblasted using #36 grit and, optionally, #320 grit at 100 psi so as to form microcraters and reduce the coefficient of static friction.