Patent abstracts

Citation

(2011), "Patent abstracts", Industrial Robot, Vol. 38 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2011.04938cad.003

Patent abstracts

Article Type: Patent abstracts From: Industrial Robot: An International Journal, Volume 38, Issue 3

Title: Actuator system with a multi-motor assembly for extending and flexing a joint

Applicant: Tibion Corp. (USA), Horst Robert W. (USA), Bhugra Kern (USA), and Jardine Robert L. (USA)

Patent number: WO2010019917 (A1)

Publication date: February 18, 2010

Abstract

An actuator system for extending and flexing a joint, including a multi-motor assembly for providing a rotational output, a rotary-to-linear mechanism for converting the rotational output from the multi-motor assembly into an extension and flexion of the joint, and a controller for operating the actuator system in several operational modes. The multi-motor assembly preferably combines power from two different sources, such that the multi-motor assembly can supply larger forces at slower speeds (“Low Gear”) and smaller forces at higher speeds (“High Gear”). The actuator has been specifically designed for extending and flexing a joint (such as an ankle, a knee, an elbow, or a shoulder) of a human. The actuator system may, however, be used to move any suitable object through any suitable movement (linear, rotational, or otherwise).

Title: Centroid position detector device and wearing type action assistance device including centroid position detector device

Applicant: Univ Tsukuba (JP) and Cyberdyne Inc (JP)

Patent number: US2010271051 (A1)

Publication date: October 28, 2010

Abstract

Load measuring parts 50 and 52 are provided with reaction sensors 50a, 50b, 52a, and 52b to measure loads at two positions, the tiptoe and the heel, on each sole of right and left feet of a wearing person 12. The reaction sensor 50a detects a reaction force to a load on a front side of the right foot (right tiptoe), the reaction sensor 50b detects a reaction force to a load on a rear side of the right foot (right heel), the reaction sensor 52a detects a reaction force to a load on a front side of the left foot (left tiptoe), and the reaction sensor 52b detects a reaction force to a load on a rear side of the left foot (left heel). The reaction sensors 50a, 50b, 52a, and 52b are arranged to detect, based on a change of a capacitance, the loads on the right and left feet during a walk action. A change of the load accompanied with a shift of the weight and a contact between the wearing person’s foot and the ground can be detected.

Title: Arm support, and sitting support with such arm support

Applicant: Exact Dynamics BV (NL)

Patent number: US2009121111 (A1)

Publication date: May 14, 2009

Abstract

An arm support, comprising an arm supporting element, connected via a connecting device with a lift device, wherein the arm supporting element has a longitudinal direction between a front end and a rear end and is connected via a tilting axis with the connecting device, which tilting axis, in top plan view, is situated between the front end and the rear end, wherein the lift device comprises compensation means for bearing the weight of the arm support and a load borne thereon, in particular an arm of a user.

Title: Locomotion assisting device and method

Applicant: Argo Medical Technologies Ltd (IL), Goffer Amit (IL), and Zilberstein Chaya (IL)

Patent number: WO2010044087 (A2)

Publication date: April 22, 2010

Abstract

An exoskeleton bracing system includes: a trunk support for affixing to the trunk of a disabled person and leg braces for connecting to the legs of the person, each leg brace including limb segment braces. Motorized joints are adapted to provide relative angular movement between the limb segment braces of the leg braces and between the leg braces and the trunk support. One or more ground force sensors are designed to sense ground force exerted on each of the leg braces. The system also includes a controller for receiving sensed signals from said one or more ground force sensors, with an algorithm for identifying a stance from the sensed signals and, based on the identified stance, actuating the motorized joints to perform an action relating to a mode of locomotion selected from a set of predefined actions corresponding to the identified stance.

Title: Mobility aid

Applicant: Rex Bionics Ltd (NZ)

Patent number: KR20100106527 (A)

Publication date: October 1, 2010

Abstract

According to a first aspect, there is provided a walking aid (WA) usable as a medical device, suitable for supporting a mobility impaired disabled user while moving through a set of movements correlating to a walking motion. The WA comprises an exoskeleton, a power source in the form of a battery pack or other similar onboard power pack (not shown) together with its associated power supply cables (not shown), and a control system (not shown). The exoskeleton comprises a rigid pelvic support member or hip frame including a pelvic harness, and a pair of leg structures (a first leg structure and second leg structure). Each of the leg structures comprises an upper leg structural member, a lower leg structural member, a foot member, a main hip actuator, a knee actuator, and a main foot actuator; the upper leg structural member is for securing with an upper leg of a user, the upper leg structural member being pivotally engaged at a first end thereof to the hip frame by the hip joint. The lower leg structural member is for securing with the lower leg of the user, the lower leg structural member being pivotally engaged at a first end thereof to a second end of the upper leg structural member by a knee joint. At a first end of the upper leg member is a hip joint that pivotally engages the upper leg member with the hip frame. The hip joint defines a hip axis that in use is located relative to the user at or approximate to the natural axis of hip rotation in an anterior/posterior direction of movement. In a preferred embodiment, each hip joint is configured relative to the hip frame with its axis of rotation extending downwardly in a lateral direction at an angle of between 0 and 10°, and more preferably of about 4°. This inclination of the axis of rotation mimics a human beings upper leg alignment. The inclination allows for more natural transfer of the centre of mass (generally located about the middle of the pelvis) to a point within the support area provided by the foot member during when the WA is controlled in a natural walking movement.

Title: Medical tele-robotic system

Applicant: Intouch Health Inc (USA)

Patent number: EP2214111 (A2)

Publication date: August 4, 2010

Abstract

A remote-controlled robotic system that is coupled to a broadband network, comprising: a first remote control station coupled to the network; a base station coupled to said remote control station through the broadband network; and, a mobile robot wirelessly coupled to said base station and controller through said first remote station, said mobile robot having a robot camera and a robot monitor, said mobile robot transmits an existing video image of a patient and a pre-existing image of the patient to said first remote control station, said first remote station displays said existing video image of the patient and said pre-existing image of the patient to make a side-by-side comparison of the patient.

Title: Hip and knee actuation systems for lower limb orthotic devices

Applicant: Berkeley Bionics (USA), Angold Russdon (USA), Zoss Adam Brian (USA), Burns Jon William (USA), and Harding Nathan Herbert (USA)

Patent number: WO2010036791 (A1)

Publication date: April 1, 2010

Abstract

A lower limb orthotic device includes a thigh link connected to a hip link through a hip joint, a hip torque generator including a hip actuator, and a first mechanical transmission mechanism interposed between the thigh link and the hip link, a shank link connected to the thigh link through a knee joint, a knee torque generator including a knee actuator and a second mechanical transmission mechanism interposed between the thigh link and the shank link, and a controller, such as for a common motor and pump connected to the hip and knee torque generators, for regulating relative positions of the various components in order to power a user through a natural walking motion, with the first and second mechanical transmission mechanisms; aiding in evening out torque over the ranges of motion, while also increasing the range of motion where the torque generators can produce a non-zero torque.