JAMES WILSON, M.D.
Radiology at Erwin Rd, Durham, NC

4876944, Oct 31, 1989

Mar 3, 1988

7/164061

James F. Wilson - Durham NC
Rhett T. George - Hillsborough NC
Zhenhai Chen - Durham NC

Duke University - Durham NC

F15B 2102

91 35

An electronic pneumatic limb control system for a pneumatically actuated flexible limb is disclosed. The system includes a computer for providing signal data corresponding to a plurality of successive events of air introduction and non-air introduction, respectively, into the flexible limb during a predetermined limb movement. The computer signal data provides for time-varying the air introduction to the non-air introduction for the successive events thereof during the limb movement so as to minimize oscillation and overshoot. The system also provides for successive events of air exhaustion and non-air exhaustion to return the limb to a position of rest after the predetermined limb movement.

4792173, Dec 20, 1988

Oct 30, 1987

7/115243

James F. Wilson - Durham NC

Duke University - Durham NC

B25J 1512, B25J 1806, B66C 146, F15B 1510

2941193

A fluid actuated limb comprising an elongate flexible core member having a first plurality of bellows extending parallel to the core member and being radially spaced from the core member around substantially the entire circumference thereof. A second plurality of bellows are radially spaced from the core member and helically wrapped around the length of the core member in a first helical direction, and a third plurality of bellows are radially spaced from the core member and helically wrapped around the length thereof in a second helical direction opposite to the first helical direction. Fluid air pressure selectively applied to the limb results in limb movements including extension and contraction, bending with resistance to torsion, right hand and left hand rotation, and combinations of the aforementioned movements.