1784results about "Shaft for linear movement" patented technology

Provided herein are robotic systems, for example, MRI guided robots, for image-guided robot-assisted surgical procedures and methods for using the same to perform such surgical procedures on a patient. The robotic systems comprise a robotic manipulator device or global positioner, means for actuating the robotic manipulator or global positioner that is mechanically linked thereto and a computer having a memory, a processor and at least one network connection in electronic communication with the robotic system. The actuating means comprises at least one transmission line having a flexible component comprising a displaceable medium, a rigid component comprising rigid pistons or a combination through which actuation is transmitted to the robotic manipulator or global positioner. The computer tangibly stores in memory software modules comprising processor-executable instructions to provide interfaces between the robotic system, an imaging system and an operator and to control operation thereof.

A rope tensioner sets the tension of a rope operated switch assembly actuable to switch between first and second conditions on a change in tension of the rope. The tensioner comprises a body, a rotatable member which engages the rope, a shaft for rotating the member relative to the body to adjust tension in the rope by winding the rope around the member, and a lock to lock the member in position relative to the body. The rope opperated switch assembly is much simpler to install than previous assemblies, as the tensioner may be simply threaded or otherwise installed onto the rope without the rope having to be cut.

A method and apparatus for a seat post assembly that is adjustable to an upper, intermediate, and lower seat post position using a locking member and a sleeve member coupled to an actuator for securing and releasing an inner tube with respect to an outer tube. The actuator may move the sleeve member to release the locking member from engagement with the outer tube to adjust the inner tube and thus the seat post assembly to the upper, intermediate, or lower seat post positions. The actuator and the sleeve may be biased into an initial position that urges the locking member into engagement with outer tube to lock the inner tube to the outer tube.

A bicycle control device is provided with a brake bracket, a brake lever, a first gearshift operating part, a second gearshift operating part, a first electrical switch, and a second electrical switch. The brake bracket is mountable to a handlebar. The brake lever is pivotally mounted to the brake bracket. The first gearshift operating part is movable relative to the brake lever. The second gearshift operating part is separate from the first gearshift operating part and movable relative to the brake lever. The first electrical switch is operated with the first gearshift operating part. The second electrical switch is operated with the second gearshift operating part. The second gearshift operating part is arranged such that when the first gearshift operating part is moved relative to the brake lever, the second gearshift operating part moves relative to the brake lever along with the first gearshift operating part.

A method and apparatus for a seat post assembly that is adjustable to an upper, intermediate, and lower seat post position using a locking member and a sleeve member coupled to an actuator for securing and releasing an inner tube with respect to an outer tube. The actuator may move the sleeve member to release the locking member from engagement with the outer tube to adjust the inner tube and thus the seat post assembly to the upper, intermediate, or lower seat post positions. The actuator and the sleeve may be biased into an initial position that urges the locking member into engagement with outer tube to lock the inner tube to the outer tube.

A bicycle control device is provided with a brake bracket, a brake lever, a first gearshift operating part, a second gearshift operating part, a first electrical switch, and a second electrical switch. The brake bracket is mountable to a handlebar. The brake lever is pivotally mounted to the brake bracket. The first gearshift operating part is movable relative to the brake lever. The second gearshift operating part is separate from the first gearshift operating part and movable relative to the brake lever. The first electrical switch is operated with the first gearshift operating part. The second electrical switch is operated with the second gearshift operating part. The second gearshift operating part is arranged such that when the first gearshift operating part is moved relative to the brake lever, the second gearshift operating part moves relative to the brake lever along with the first gearshift operating part.

An improved electronic braking system for walkers that incorporates one or more electrically-operated brakes controlled by an electronic controller is disclosed. The controller is responsive to touch-sensitive switches for easy operation, and is adjustable and responsive to operator patterns of use to provide individualized control of the brake operation. The controller may also be responsive to environmental conditions such as the slope of the ground over which the walker is moving, to its rate of motion, or to the distance between the walker frame and the user, and may be adjusted to accommodate for the weight of the user or to set limits to the speed at which it can move.

A bicycle shifter for pulling and releasing a control cable connected to a gear change mechanism that includes a housing mountable to a handlebar, a takeup member, a control member, a holding mechanism and a release mechanism. The takeup member is movable for pulling the control cable in a cable-pull direction and releasing the control cable in a cable-release direction. The control member is movable in a shift direction from a rest position for a first shift movement to permit motion of the takeup member in the cable-release direction. The first shift movement corresponds to a single gear change. The control member is movable in the shift direction from the rest position for a second shift movement to move the takeup member in the cable-pull direction. The second shift movement corresponds to a plurality of gear changes. The second shift movement is greater than the first shift movement. The control member is biased toward the rest position. The holding mechanism retains the takeup element in a selected gear position. The drive mechanism is operable for releasing the holding mechanism from the takeup member and for moving the takeup member in response to actuation of the control member.

Disclosed is a medical instrument having at least one surgical element, such as a knife or the like disposed at the distal end thereof, a motor disposed at the proximal end thereof, and a shaft which connects the shaft of the motor to the shaft of the surgical instrument in such a manner that the surgical element is rotated.According to the invention either the motor is detachably connected to said shaft of the said surgical element in an as such known manner so that a bend can be inserted between the motor shaft and said shaft disposed in the instrument or that a flexible bend is inserted between the motor and the shaft in such a manner that the motor shaft and the shaft disposed in the instrument includes an adjustable angle.

A switch designation apparatus for a bicycle control unit comprises a first switch structured to be mounted to a bicycle for providing signals to move a moving bicycle control device, a second switch structured to be mounted to the bicycle for providing signals to move the moving bicycle control device, and a switch designation unit that allows a user to selectively designate movements of the bicycle control device signaled by at least one of the first switch and the second switch.

An internally supported cable system control for a bicycle that does not interfere with the steering mechanism and does not require the structural integrity of the bicycle frame to be compromised. In the disclosed internal cable system, the control cables are routed through a passageway in the gooseneck and the bicycle frame to the mechanism or device that they are designed to control. The gooseneck design is unique in that it allows for an unobstructed passageway for the cables to travel into the steering tube and frame, while allowing for both sliding forward and rearward as well as raising and lowering, as desired by the bicycle rider. For aesthetic reasons, a casing may be added to cover the cabling between the control levers and the gooseneck.

An improved electronic braking system for walkers that incorporates one or more electrically-operated brakes controlled by an electronic controller is disclosed. The controller is responsive to touch-sensitive switches for easy operation, and is adjustable and responsive to operator patterns of use to provide individualized control of the brake operation. The controller may also be responsive to environmental conditions such as the slope of the ground over which the walker is moving, to its rate of motion, or to the distance between the walker frame and the user, and may be adjusted to accommodate for the weight of the user or to set limits to the speed at which it can move.

A motorized bicycle front derailleur assembly is provided that includes a motor unit, a front derailleur and a motor linkage. The motor unit is configured to rotate an output shaft in first and second opposite rotational directions. The front derailleur includes a fixing body configured to be mounted to a bicycle frame, inner and outer links pivotally coupled to the fixing body at first and second pivot points, and a chain guide pivotally coupled to the inner and outer links to move between an inner shift position and an outer shift position. The first pivot point is located laterally closer to a center plane of the bicycle frame than the second pivot point. The motor linkage is operatively coupled to the output shaft of the motor unit and the inner link to move the chain guide between the inner and outer shift positions upon rotation of the output shaft.

A steering device includes a first housing, first and second cables, and first and second sheaths. The first housing includes a first part that supports a rotatable first cable pulley, and a second part that is disposed for relative displacement with respect to the first part. The first cable is at least partially wound on the first cable pulley in a first direction of rotation. The second cable is at least partially wound on the first cable pulley in a second direction of rotation. The first sheath surrounds the first cable and extends between first and second ends, and the first end of the first sheath is coupled to the second part of the first housing. The second sheath surrounds the second cable and extends between first and second ends, and the first end of the second sheath is coupled to the second part of the first housing.

A control device is configured to be attached to the handlebar of a bicycle for controlling a brake mechanism and change speed mechanism. The control device comprises a bracket fixed to the handlebar, a brake lever pivotally coupled crosswise relative to the bracket and a release lever. The brake mechanism is controlled by fore and aft pivotal movement of the brake lever, while the change speed mechanism is controlled by sideways pivotal movement of the brake lever and the release lever. The brake lever and the release lever are further configured relative to the bracket for smooth easy operation by the rider.

A gearshift for bicycle gears includes an operating lever arranged so as to be rotatable around a stationary central axis for controlling an operating part arranged in a housing. The operating part is also rotatable around the central axis and has a take-up groove for receiving a gear-shifting cable, whereby a latch interacts with a tooth mechanism on the operating part for winding the cable. The gearshift further includes a release-and-hold mechanism consisting of a first latching disk having a first latching segment and a second latching disk having a second latching segment connected to the operating part, and of a release lever that interacts alternately with the first latching segment and the second latching segment. Arranged on the release lever are a first latching lug and a second latching lug, which alternately engage with the first latching segment and the second latching segment. The release lever is mounted pivotally about a rotational axis arranged substantially perpendicularly relative to the central axis in a stationary fashion. An advantage of the invention lies in the simple operability of the operating lever and the release lever, whereby attention has been given to the ergonomics of the lever that the bicycle gear can be shifted under any circumstances, even when the operating hand of a bicyclist is being used for operating a brake lever.

A master cylinder for a hydraulic disc brake includes a housing defining a cylinder, the cylinder having a first and second end along its axis. A piston is received in the cylinder and has a radial seal between the piston and the cylinder. A lever is pivotably associated with the housing for pivoting between a rest position and an actuated position relative to the housing. A push rod is operatively associated with the piston and the lever to move the piston axially within the cylinder as the lever is actuated between the rest and actuated positions. A threaded engagement between a first end of the push rod and the lever is configured to cause movement of the rest position of the lever relative to the housing when a rotating force is applied to the push rod causing axial rotation of the push rod. An indexing structure is operatively associated with the push rod for providing index axial rotation of the push rod upon application of the rotating force to the push rod causing axial rotation of the push rod.

A torque transmission device is a steerable device for an endoscope, and includes a first link element having a first guide lumen. A second link element is disposed at a distal end of the first link element in a longitudinal axis direction, and has a second guide lumen. A control wire is disposed through the first and second guide lumens movably in the longitudinal axis direction. A pivot mechanism couples the first link element to the second link element in a rotatable manner about a pivot axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction. The control wire through the first and second guide lumens extends in a coplanar manner with the pivot axis and crosswise thereto. Preferably, there is a flexible section having the first and second link elements. A steering unit has third and fourth link elements.

An embedding typed handbrake operating device is disclosed herein, which mainly contains a positioning seat to which an operating lever is pin-joined. A stopping ring, a spring, and a locking seat are sequentially joined to the positioning seat through a locking bolt. The brake sleeve of a brake cable is threaded into the tubular body of the end section of the handlebar via a cable entrance hole and then into the locking seat. A brake wire is threaded through the operating lever, an axial through hole of the locking bolt, and into the brake sleeve connected to the locking seat, and finally to the handbrake assembly.

A bicycle control device is provided that has a base member, an electrical shift control switch and a brake lever. The base member has a handlebar mounting portion configured to be fixedly mounted to a free end of a handlebar and an electrical switch housing portion extending longitudinally from the handlebar mounting portion such that a center axis of the free end of the handlebar extends longitudinally through the electrical switch housing portion when the base member is mounted to the free end of the handlebar. The electrical shift control switch is mounted to the electrical switch housing portion of the base member. The brake lever is pivotally attached to the base member to be selectively moved relative to the base member between a rest position and a braking position.

The invention relates to a cable-driven mechanical arm for assisting disabled / elderly people. The mechanical arm comprises a convolution joint, an up-and-down rotation joint, a horizontal rotation joint, a first joint connecting plate, a sliding block, a guide track, a base driving box, driving motors and a cable driving system. The driving motor of each rotation joint is mounted in the base driving box, the cable driving system is utilized for transferring the power of the driving motors to all the rotation joints, and then the driving of the rotation joints is realized. The cable-driven mechanical arm disclosed by the invention solves the problem that a cable can only be stretched but not be compressed during the cable driving process, and the cable driving system is utilized for transferring the power to all the joints, so that the mechanical structures at the joints are simplified, the dead weight of the mechanical arm is greatly reduced, and the load-dead weight ratio and dynamic performance of the mechanical arm are improved. The mechanical arm has the advantages of simple structure, high safety performance and large stroke range, and is particularly suitable for being mounted on wheelchairs, care beds and other equipment for assisting disabled / elderly people.

A steering mechanism for a medical device that is configured for passing through the body cavities of a patient and for passage through an endoscope working channel is described. The mechanism comprises at least one spool having a central hole through which a central axle passes, the spool being rotatable about the axle, and the spool having at least one retaining tube having a lumen therethrough and configured to contain a portion of a drive cable. The drive cables, which may include UHMWPE, are capable of and are effective for deflecting the distal end of a catheter or endoscopic device, while preferably each being at least partially disposed through a retaining tube that is effective to prevent tangling or other binding of the cable(s).

An actuating mechanism for use with a surgical instrument having a handle, an elongate body member, and a tool head. The actuating mechanism comprises a cable engagement arm pivotably attached at a first arm end. The cable engagement arm has a lever engagement portion at a second arm end. The actuating mechanism also comprises a cable engagement mechanism connecting a cable to the cable engagement arm and an actuation lever having a lever body. The actuating mechanism also comprises a torsion control mechanism having a piston slidably disposed within the piston chamber and a biasing mechanism configured for biasing the piston toward the chamber opening. The piston, the biasing mechanism, and the lever engagement portion cooperate to resist rotation of the actuation lever when a rotational force is applied to the actuation lever, but allow such rotation if the rotational force produces a moment that exceeds a predetermined limit.

A bicycle shift control mechanism is configured to operating a bicycle transmission shifting device. The bicycle shift control mechanism has a wire take up member, a winding ratchet member and a positioning ratchet member. The winding ratchet member is coupled to the wire take up member and arranged to rotate the wire take up member about the rotational axis. The positioning ratchet member is configured and arranged to selectively position the wire take up member between one of a plurality of predetermined shift positions. The positioning ratchet member is coupled to the wire take up member such that the wire take up member is movable relative to the positioning ratchet member for a predetermined amount of rotational movement of the wire take up member and move together as a unit after the predetermined amount of rotational movement.