In-flight use of traversing boundary-layer probes

In-flight use of traversing boundary layer pitot probes with mechanical and electrical features and sample boundary layer profile

Index to NASA Tech Briefs, January - June 1966

Index to NASA technological innovations for January-June 196

Pediatric Neurosurgical Head Fixation Device

Head fixation is required for most neurosurgical procedures. However, the current gold standard devices can cause pressure-related complications when used on pediatric patients. The purpose of this project was to design a head fixation device that is safe for young children and reduces potential complications such as skin necrosis and pressure sores. A combined two-pin skull clamp and actuated headrest was developed. The headrest features three contoured polyurethane foam pads arranged in a horseshoe-like shape with the forehead pad actuated by a cam-follower mechanism to redistribute pressure and allow capillaries in the forehead to open and restore the blood flow. Pressure and stability tests supported head fixation with this new device was safer and stable enough for most procedures

Pediatric Neurosurgical Head Fixation Device

Head fixation is required for most neurosurgical procedures. However, the current gold standard devices can cause pressure-related complications when used on pediatric patients. The purpose of this project was to design a head fixation device that is safe for young children and reduces potential complications such as skin necrosis and pressure sores. A combined two-pin skull clamp and actuated headrest was developed. The headrest features three contoured polyurethane foam pads arranged in a horseshoe-like shape with the forehead pad actuated by a cam-follower mechanism to redistribute pressure and allow capillaries in the forehead to open and restore the blood flow. Pressure and stability tests supported head fixation with this new device was safer and stable enough for most procedures

Optimization for Commercialization of A Two Degree of Freedom Powered Arm Orthosis

In the United States, more than 18 million people suffer from upper extremity injury. This population is in need of a device both to aid in the completion of activities of daily living (eating and grooming), as well as to provide daily muscular therapy. To assist persons suffering from disabling upper extremity neuromuscular diseases, this thesis concerned the redesign of a powered arm brace from a proof-of-concept design to a more functional, marketable product. The principles of Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA) were employed as part of the design methodology to create a product that could be scaled into production. Additionally, numerical analyses including Finite Element Analysis (FEA) were completed to prove the both the safety and structural integrity of the orthosis in computer simulations. The design was then successfully tested with marked improvement over the previous design, including a 58% reduction in weight, decreased manufacturing costs, and a significant improvement in functionality and comfort

Design Of An Anthropomorphic Upper Limb Exoskeleton Actuated By Ball-Screws And Cables

International audienceThis paper presents the design of ABLE, an anthropomorphic upper limb exoskeleton integrally actuated by highly reversible ball-screw and cable (SCS standing for Screw-and-Cable-System) allowing true joint torque control without force sensor. Their unique kinematics allows their integration in the structure thanks to dedicated mechanical innovations such as the shoulder articulation and the forearm-wrist. The result is an anthropomorphic, lightweight, open architecture which avoids imprisoning the human limb. Applicative projects are briefly presented in: medical rehabilitation, teleoperation and haptics (VR).Lucrarea prezintă proiectul lui ABLE, un exoschelet al braţului, integralacţionat de un sistem şurub cu cap sferic şi cablu (SSC, de la sistem cu şurub şicablu), puternic reversibil, care permite controlul real al momentului în articulaţiefără senzor de forţă. Cinematica unică permite integrarea lui în structură graţieinovaţiilor mecanice speciale, precum articulaţia umărului şi încheieturaantebraţului. Rezultatul este o arhitectură deschisă, uşoară, antropomorfică, careevită încorsetarea braţului uman. Sunt prezentate pe scurt proiecte de aplicaţii în:recuperarea medicală, telechirurgie şi interfaţare haptică (RV)

The design and description of a 300-1200 angstrom stellar spectrograph

Design of 300 to 1200 angstrom stellar spectrograp

Design of a Biaxial Test Device for Compliant Tissue

The objective of this project is to design and build a computer controlled testing system for planar biaxial stretching of soft connective tissues. The planar biaxial device designed in this paper has a four-axis control system as well as four components: a temperature-controlled testing chamber, a low friction sample attachment system, a stretching/force system, and a stress/strain measurement system. The device\u27s design is unique due to its low force capability (\u3c 0.5N), low cost (\u3c $15,000), and real-time computer control

The Design and Manufacture of an Elevating/Articulating Manual Wheelchair Legrest

For people bound to a wheelchair, the ability to elevate one\u27s legs is as much a comfort concern as it is a health concern. The elevation of one\u27s legs changes the user\u27s sitting position, thereby increasing their comfort level while at the same time increasing circulation, ultimately aiding in the prevention of pressure sores and lower extremity swelling. Unfortunately, the motion of current legrests on manual wheelchairs does not accurately match the motion of the user\u27s lower leg. This mismatch of motion causes the legrest to push up on the leg, shortening it while applying torque to the hip. An elevating/articulating wheelchair legrest that consisted of a planar sixbar linkage coupled with a worm gear set was designed and manufactured to address the shortcomings of standard elevating legrests. The legrest prototype elevates and articulates simultaneously from a single user interface, allowing the user\u27s leg to be straight in the elevated position. The prototype design was evaluated by a potential user, his nurse, and the Director of Rehabilitation Engineering at the Massachusetts Hospital School. The collective response from this evaluation was very favorable. The design was successful in meeting the design specifications. Further modifications are needed before the design is ready for the commercial market