Francisco J Valero-Cuevas, 59Glendale, CA

6537075, Mar 25, 2003

Jan 11, 2000

09/479450

Francisco J. Valero-Cuevas - Ithaca NY, 14853

Francisco J. Valero-Cuevas - Ithaca NY

G09B 1900

434247, 434258

A hand-held compressible and expandable device is used to develop and measure the persons grasping strength and grasping dexterity. The device in preferably compressed and/or expanded by the users digits. Preferably, the device is both compressible and flexible so that the user must provide a linearly or controlled force to compress the device successfully. In one embodiment, the device has a spring that is both compressible and flexible. One end of the spring has a finger pad and at the other end a thumb pad. The ability of the user to compress the spring between the finger and the thumb gauges the users grasping strength, while the ability of the user to compress the spring in a linear fashion provides a measure of the users dexterity. The device also can be configured to automatically count the number of successful and/or unsuccessful compressions mechanically, optically or electrically. The compressibility, flexibility and difficulty of use of the device is modified using a variety of mechanisms besides modifying the stiffness, diameter, length or other properties of springs including rubbers, foam rubber elements and hinges.

2006029, Dec 28, 2006

Jun 12, 2006

11/450865

Francisco Valero-Cuevas - Ithaca NY, US
Daniel Brown - Chester MT, US

A61B 5/103

600587000, 600595000

A sensing device and a system using the same for detecting and analyzing grasping forces in a dynamic manner includes a number of finger pads for measuring fingertip forces and motions. Each finger pad is mounted at one end of a corresponding one of a plurality of arms. The arms are articulated to one another by being joined at their opposite ends through one or more joints that allow motion of the arms relative to each other in one or more directions. The device generates time varying signals which can be used to investigate the temporal relationships and coordination among finger actions. In addition, a mechanism is preferably provided for imposing mechanical actions and/or perturbations to the device or fingers which generate a measurable response by the fingers. The device can alternatively be employed as a computer input device in which manipulation of the various finger pads can generate signals that represent particular inputs or commands.

2010022, Sep 9, 2010

Feb 15, 2010

12/705637

Francisco J. Valero-Cuevas - La Crescenta CA, US
Hans Forssberg - Danderyd, SE

A61B 5/103
A63F 9/24
A63B 69/00

600587, 463 36, 434247

Dexterity device for monitoring, diagnosing, and training a person's dexterity, comprising first and second end parts connected together by a compression means. During use the device is held between one or many fingers being in contact with the end parts, and the end parts are then pressed towards each other resulting in a compression of the compression means. The device further comprises sensor means arranged at one or both end parts at the surfaces intended to be in contact with the fingers during use of the device. The sensor means is adapted to sense and measure the forces applied to the end parts and/or the motions of the end parts, wherein the sensor means is adapted to generate sensor signals in dependence of measured forces and/or motions. The sensor signals are applied to a processing unit for monitoring, diagnosing or training purposes based upon said sensor signals.

6000193, Dec 14, 1999

Mar 3, 1998

9/033864

Francisco Javier Valero-Cuevas - Los Altos CA
Raimund Sulzenbacher - A-6370 Kitzbuhel, AT
Stefan Hetzenauer - A 6365 Kirchberg, AT

E04F 2100
E04B 132

5274913

A reusable and adjustable arch-forming assembly employing a flexible sheet for placing construction materials thereon for the purpose of constructing an arch. The assembly has a center pole with a vertex support and two cross beams mounted by their proximal ends in slidable members engaged around the center pole. Each cross beam has an arch end support at its distal end. An auxiliary support mechanism aids in setting the inclination of the cross beams with respect to the center pole and provides mechanical support for the cross beams at the set inclination. The arch is defined by a curvature assumed by the flexible sheet between the vertex support and the two end support mechanisms. Supplementary arrangements of the assembly permit one to prepare any desired arch structure by adjusting the curvature of the flexible sheet.

2018026, Sep 20, 2018

Mar 22, 2018

15/933102

- Corvallis OR, US
Taymaz Homayouni - Corvallis OR, US
Francisco Valero-Cuevas - La Crescenta CA, US

Oregon State University - Corvallis OR

A61F 2/08

Implantable passive engineered mechanisms and a method for implanting such devices in a subject are described. The implantable passive engineered mechanism may be made of or comprise a biocompatible material and is appropriately sized for implantation in a subject. Exemplary implantable passive engineered mechanisms may be selected from a strut, a pulley, a lever, a compliant mechanism, a scissor lift, a tendon network, springs, planetary gears, rigid or soft hydraulics, a linkage system, a cam/clutch system, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments the system comprises plural inserts, such as pulleys, levers, and/or tendon networks. Plural inserts may be arranged hierarchically to distribute force differentially from an input to one or more outputs.

2015034, Dec 3, 2015

May 29, 2015

14/725971

- Corvallis OR, US
Taymaz Homayouni - Corvallis OR, US
Francisco Valero-Cuevas - La Crescenta CA, US

Oregon State University - Corvallis OR

A61F 2/08

Implantable passive engineered mechanisms and a method for implanting such devices in a subject are described. The implantable passive engineered mechanism may be made of or comprise a biocompatible material and is appropriately sized for implantation in a subject. Exemplary implantable passive engineered mechanisms may be selected from a strut, a pulley, a lever, a compliant mechanism, a scissor lift, a tendon network, springs, planetary gears, rigid or soft hydraulics, a linkage system, a cam/clutch system, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments the system comprises plural inserts, such as pulleys, levers, and/or tendon networks. Plural inserts may be arranged hierarchically to distribute force differentially from an input to one or more outputs.