Compositions and methods for treating or preventing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases are provided herein. Exemplary compositions include bacterial compositions having an effective amount of viable, non-pathogenic microbes, viable, non-pathogenic bacteria, wherein at least one of the bacteria is a predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. The disclosed bacterial compositions can be used to treat or prevent the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease.

Technologies are generally described for pneumatically actuated parallel grippers that include a frame, a linkage system, two pistons, and a pair of slidable plates. The linkage system includes three or more links comprising a central link that is pivotably coupled to the frame, a first link coupled between a first piston and a first end of the central link, and a second link coupled between a second piston and a second end of the central link. The linkage system is arranged to synchronize motion between the first and second pistons. The pistons are further coupled to the slidable plates such that synchronized movement of the pistons translates into synchronized motion of the slidable plates. The parallel gripper is readily adaptable for use in gripper applications; and it is simple to service without the necessity for costly high tolerance and high precision parts.

In an implementation, a hydraulic assembly comprising an end section of a hydraulic hose formed from a volume of material, the end section having a first outer diameter and an open end, is formed by molding a flange in the end section of the hydraulic hose, and threading an annular gasket onto the end section of the hydraulic hose between the flange and the open end of the hydraulic hose, and adjacent to the flange. The flange is formed in the volume of material, and has a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter. The molding of the flange may include applying heat to a mold, inserting the open end of the end section of the hydraulic hose into the mold, and thermally deforming a portion of the end section of the hydraulic hose to form the flange.

A linkage assembly to connect a tool to a robotic device. The linkage assembly includes a body and a first linkage pair with first and second links that are configured to be connected to a first section of the tool. The linkage assembly also includes a second linkage pair that includes first and second links that are configured to be connected to a second section of the tool. The first linkage pair are powered to provide a force to move the tool relative to the body. The second linkage pair supports the tool and moves with the first linkage pair. Each of the first and second linkage pairs are pivotally connected to the body and may maintain parallel positioning during the movement.

A surgical robot includes a main body portion, an arm provided on the main body portion to hold an endoscope, an attachment member that detachably attached the main body portion to a table portion of a bed, and a vertical drive mechanism that allows the main body portion to move along a first direction perpendicular to the table portion. The arm is pneumatically driven.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards robotic systems and methods. The robot may include an end effector, a tool flange of the robot, and a joint. The end effector may include a contacting part configured to contact a workpiece. The joint may be positioned between, and connected to, the tool flange and the end effector. The joint may include a variable angle between the tool flange and the end effector.

Provided is an apparatus for piston insertion, including an insertion robot having a plurality of robot arms connected by a plurality of articulated joints, a piston insertion module directly mounted on the insertion robot, gripping a piston assembly, and inserting the piston assembly into a cylinder bore of a cylinder block, and a controller controlling an operation of the insertion robot and an operation of the piston insertion module.

A robot includes a body, a first robotic arm physically coupled to the body, and a first discrete hydraulic system comprising a first plurality of hydraulic components. The first robotic arm includes a first end effector. The first hydraulic system is operable to control the first end effector. The first plurality of hydraulic components are integrated with the first robotic arm. In some implementations, the robot includes a second robotic arm physically coupled to the body, and a second discrete hydraulic system consisting of a second plurality of hydraulic components. The second robotic arm includes a second end effector. The second hydraulic system is operable to control the second end effector. The second plurality of hydraulic components are integrated with the second robotic arm. The second hydraulic system is hydraulically-isolated from the first hydraulic system.

One variation of a method for autonomously scanning and processing a part includes: accessing a part model representing a part positioned in a work zone adjacent a robotic system; retrieving a sanding head translation speed; retrieving a toolpath for execution on the part defining positions, orientations, and target forces applied by the sanding head to the part. The method includes traversing the sanding head along the toolpath, at the sanding head translation speed; reading a sequence of applied forces from a force sensor coupled to the sanding head at positions along the toolpath; and deviating from the toolpath to maintain the set of applied forces within a threshold difference of a sequence of target forces along the toolpath. In one variation of the method, the robotic system executes a toolpath at a duration less than target duration by selectively varying target force and sanding head translation speed across the part.

Systems and methods to grasp objects using vacuum-actuated end of arm tools may include moving pistons, pinching or stabilizing arms, and suction cups. For example, responsive to application of negative pressure and responsive to grasping an object by a suction cup, a piston may move between a retracted position and an extended position. The movement of the piston may cause corresponding movement of one or more pinching or stabilizing arms around the object to pinch and/or stabilize the object grasped by the suction cup.