Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090318590 | Dynamic mechanical polymer nanocomposites - Polymer nanocomposites exhibit a reversible change in stiffness and strength in response to a stimulus. The polymer nanocomposites include a matrix polymer with a comparably low modulus and strength and nanoparticles that have a comparably high modulus and strength. The particle-particle interactions are switched by the stimulus, to change the overall material's mechanical properties. In a preferred embodiment, a chemical regulator is used to facilitate changes of the mechanical properties. Methods for inducing modulus changes in polymer nanocomposites are also disclosed. | 12-24-2009 |
20110125212 | HYBRID METHOD FOR MODULATING UPPER AIRWAY FUNCTION IN A SUBJECT - A hybrid method is provided for modulating upper airway function in a subject. The method includes applying first and second therapy signals to the subject to modulate at least one extrinsic laryngeal muscle and at least one intrinsic laryngeal muscle to synergistically control laryngeal motion and vocal fold movement, respectively. | 05-26-2011 |
20130165554 | Dynamic Mechanical Polymer Nanocomposites - Polymer nanocomposites exhibit a reversible change in stiffness and strength in response to a stimulus. The polymer nanocomposites include a matrix polymer with a comparably low modulus and strength and nanoparticles that have a comparably high modulus and strength. The particle-particle interactions are switched by the stimulus, to change the overall material's mechanical properties. In a preferred embodiment, a chemical regulator Is used to facilitate changes of the mechanical properties. Methods for inducing modulus changes in polymer nanocomposites are also disclosed. | 06-27-2013 |
20140031910 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STIMULATING MOTOR UNITS - Systems and methods are provided for stimulating motor units. An electrode array includes a plurality of electrodes configured to provide stimulation to respective motor units of a plurality of independent, mutually agonist motor units. A stimulator assembly is configured to provide a stimulation current to each electrode of the plurality of electrodes. The stimulation current is provided such that a sum of respective time-varying moments at the plurality of motor units remains substantially constant and non-zero. | 01-30-2014 |
20140094872 | DELAYING THE ONSET OF MUSCLE FATIGUE ASSOCIATED WITH FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION - The present invention relates a system that can configure a stimulus for functional electrical stimulation (“FES”) to maintain a constant muscle force while delaying the onset of muscle fatigue and a related method of use. The stimulus can be delivered to a nerve via a set of multiple electrode contacts according to a stimulation parameter that maximizes a joint moment associated with the stimulus and minimizes the overlap between pairs of contacts. The joint moment can be related to the muscle force, and the overlap can be related to the onset of muscle fatigue. | 04-03-2014 |
20140114162 | NERVE INTERFACE ELECTRODE WITH FIBERS FOR INSERTION BETWEEN NERVE FASCICLES - A nerve interface electrode has a plurality of conductive fibers. The fibers have a nonconductive sheath ( | 04-24-2014 |
20150142084 | HYBRID METHOD FOR MODULATING UPPER AIRWAY FUNCTION IN A SUBJECT - A hybrid method is provided for modulating upper airway function in a subject. The method includes applying first and second therapy signals to the subject to modulate at least one extrinsic laryngeal muscle and at least one intrinsic laryngeal muscle to synergistically control laryngeal motion and vocal fold movement, respectively. | 05-21-2015 |
20150174396 | IMPLANTABLE CUFF AND METHOD FOR FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION AND MONITORING - An implantable cuff includes an elastic collar, at least one conductive segment disposed on or within the elastic collar, and at least one conductor in electrical communication with the at least one conductive segment. The elastic collar defines an internal opening configured to receive an internal body tissue. At least a portion of the elastic collar includes a stiffening region having a stiffness greater than a second region of the elastic collar. The at least one conductor is configured to operably mate with an apparatus capable of delivering electrical stimulation to, and/or recording an electrical activity of, the internal body tissue. | 06-25-2015 |