Various implementations include a compliant element comprising a spring component, a mounting portion, and a transverse shear constraint element. The spring component comprises two or more stacked beam elements. Each beam element has a first and second end with the first end of each beam is attached to the mounting portion. Furthermore, the transverse shear constraint element is located between the first and second ends of the beam elements and prevents the relative sliding of two or more beam elements in the region of the beams between the first beam ends and the transverse shear constraint element.

A sleeve generally shaped as a limb and an overlapping area of curvature formed in the sleeve extending a length of the sleeve. A clasp is formed from slicing the overlapping area of curvature the length of the sleeve along a line substantially perpendicular to a transverse plane to create a first end and a second end. The sleeve is openable to separate the first end and the second end of the clasp for fitting the sleeve around the prosthesis and latchable by fitting the first end of the clasp over the second end of the clasp.

A sleeve generally shaped as a limb and an overlapping area of curvature formed in the sleeve extending a length of the sleeve. A clasp is formed from slicing the overlapping area of curvature the length of the sleeve along a line substantially perpendicular to a transverse plane to create a first end and a second end. The sleeve is openable to separate the first end and the second end of the clasp for fitting the sleeve around the prosthesis and latchable by fitting the first end of the clasp over the second end of the clasp.

A system and method for controlling a device, such as a virtual reality (VR) and/or a prosthetic limb are provided. A biomimetic controller of the system comprises a signal processor and a musculoskeletal model. The signal processor processes M biological signals received from a residual limb to transform the M biological signals into N activation signals, where M and N are integers and M is less than N. The musculoskeletal model transforms the N activation signals into intended motion signals. A prosthesis controller transforms the intended motion signals into three or more control signals that are outputted from an output port of the prosthesis controller. A controlled device receives the control signals and performs one or more tasks in accordance with the control signals.

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure an electrostatic sheet jamming device comprising a first sheet having a first conductive layer, a first dielectric layer disposed adjacent to the first conductive layer, and a second sheet comprising a second conductive layer and disposed proximate to the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first sheet and the second sheet are non-extensible and flexible, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are slidable relative to each other in a first state. The first sheet and the second sheet are jammed with each other in a second state when a voltage is applied between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. In some embodiments, the applied voltage is less than or equal to a break-down voltage of air at a distance between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

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 knee joint that is capable of widening a moveable range, and that has good energy efficiency and is small and lightweight is described. Also described is a knee joint that is of an active type, but comparatively inexpensive. A drive section moves a driven member. An elastic member is arranged between the driven member and a linear motion member. The linear motion member elastically moves in at least one direction, in accordance with movement of the driven member, by way of the elastic member. A crank mechanism can realize bending and extension of the knee joint by converting linear motion of the linear motion member to rotational motion.

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 hybrid actuation device includes an artificial muscle, a first plate coupled to a second plate, and a shape memory alloy wire. The artificial muscle includes a housing, a first electrode and a second electrode, and a dielectric fluid. The housing includes a first film layer, a second film layer, an electrode region, and an expandable fluid region. The first electrode and the second electrode are each disposed in the electrode region of the housing. The dielectric fluid is disposed within the housing. The first plate and the second plate are positioned within the housing, the first plate positioned between the first film layer and the first electrode, and the second plate positioned between the second film layer and the second electrode. The shape memory alloy wire extends from the first plate to the second plate and through the dielectric fluid.

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.