公开(公告)号：US20220280755A1

公开(公告)日：2022-09-08

申请号：US17562785

申请日：2021-12-27

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Gregory S. Fischer ,  Hao Su

IPC: A61M25/01 ,  A61M5/32 ,  A61M5/46 ,  A61B34/30 ,  A61B34/37

Abstract: A needle steering system and apparatus provides active, semi-autonomous control of needle insertion paths while still enabling a clinician ultimate control over needle insertion. A method and system controls the needle path as the needle is inserted by precisely controlling the rotation of the needle as it continuously rotates during insertion. This enables underactuated 2 degree-of-freedom (DOF) control of the direction and the curvature of the needle from a single rotary actuator. Control of the rotary motion is therefore decoupled from the needle insertion. The rotary motion controls steering effort and direction, while the insertion controls needle depth or insertion speed. In one implementation, the proposed method does not require constant velocity insertion, interleaved insertion and rotation, or known insertion position or speed. The insertion may be provided by a robot or other automated method, may be a manual insertion, or may be a teleoperated insertion.

公开(公告)号：US20220252388A1

公开(公告)日：2022-08-11

申请号：US17669042

申请日：2022-02-10

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Yuxiang Liu ,  Hamed Jafarishad ,  Mucheng Li

IPC: G01B11/16

Abstract: A strain gauge device employs a reflective base adapted to reflect a divergent optical signal, and a glass tube attached to the reflective base for optical communication therewith, the glass tube having a working length into which an optical fiber is inserted. The optical fiber is configured for transporting an optic signal indicative of the detected strain. The optic fiber has an outside diameter slightly smaller than an inside diameter of the glass tube for providing a slight tolerance. A distal end is disposed in slidable communication with an interior of the glass tube and accommodated by the tolerance, and a sensing circuit at the proximate end receives an optical signal indicative of strain or displacement. A resilient buffer layer made of soft silicone is disposed outside the glass tube to allow for large deformation measurements and reduce the distortion of the deformation by the introduction of the sensor.

公开(公告)号：US20220238893A1

公开(公告)日：2022-07-28

申请号：US17586165

申请日：2022-01-27

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Adam C. Powell ,  Boyd Davis ,  Uday Bhanu Pal ,  Yu Zhong ,  Christian Faria ,  Naoki Ono ,  Takeshi Inozume ,  Chiaki Endo ,  Tomoya Miyauchi

IPC: H01M8/0234 ,  H01M4/96 ,  H01M8/14

Abstract: Devices and methods for generating electricity in a direct carbon fuel cell are provided herein. The method includes heating and melting an alloy to obtain a liquid alloy anode; circulating the liquid alloy anode through a porous ceramic cathode, the cathode being a tubular structure and in communication with oxygen; reducing the oxygen at the porous cathode to obtain oxygen ions for diffusing through an electrolyte to the liquid alloy anode; and oxidizing the oxygen ions at the liquid alloy anode thereby generating electricity. The direct carbon fuel cells have high electronic conductivity, high carbon solubility with fast carbon diffusion, lower viscosity and eutectic temperatures, and rapid fuel dissolution kinetics.

公开(公告)号：US20220082561A1

公开(公告)日：2022-03-17

申请号：US17276329

申请日：2019-09-20

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Seyed Masoud Loeian ,  Balaji Panchapakesan

IPC: G01N33/551 ,  G01N1/40 ,  G01N33/574

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the detection and characterization of circulating cells in a blood sample. Such method can include depositing a sample of a bodily fluid on a device comprising carbon nanotubes, wherein the surfaces of the carbon nanotubes are not functionalized; and detecting target cells adhered to the carbon nanotubes.

公开(公告)号：US11273236B2

公开(公告)日：2022-03-15

申请号：US15698429

申请日：2017-09-07

Applicant: Case Western Reserve University ,  Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Eben Alsberg ,  Anna D. Dikina ,  Marsha W. Rolle ,  Hannah A. Strobel

IPC: A61L27/38 ,  A61K35/42 ,  A61L27/58 ,  A61K35/32 ,  A61K35/44 ,  A61L27/54 ,  A61K35/28 ,  C12N5/071 ,  C12N5/077 ,  C12M1/12 ,  C12M3/00

Abstract: A modular engineered tissue construct includes a plurality of fused self-assembled, scaffold-free, high-density cell aggregates. At least one cell aggregate includes a plurality of cells and a plurality of biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles and/or microparticles that are incorporated within the cell aggregates. The nanoparticles and/or microparticles acting as a bulking agent within the cell aggregate to increase the cell aggregate size and/or thickness and improve the mechanical properties of the cell aggregate as well as to deliver bioactive agents.

公开(公告)号：US20210391606A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-16

申请号：US17412742

申请日：2021-08-26

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Yan Wang ,  Eric Gratz ,  Qina Sa ,  Zhangfeng Zheng ,  Joseph Heelan ,  Kee-Chan Kim

IPC: H01M10/54 ,  C22B3/00 ,  C22B7/00 ,  C22B1/24 ,  C22B26/22

Abstract: Cathode material from exhausted lithium ion batteries are dissolved in a solution for extracting the useful elements Co (cobalt), Ni (nickel), Al (Aluminum) and Mn (manganese) to produce active cathode materials for new batteries. The solution includes compounds of desirable materials such as cobalt, nickel, aluminum and manganese dissolved as compounds from the exhausted cathode material of spent cells. Depending on a desired proportion, or ratio, of the desired materials, raw materials are added to the solution to achieve the desired ratio of the commingled compounds for the recycled cathode material for new cells. The desired materials precipitate out of solution without extensive heating or separation of the desired materials into individual compounds or elements. The resulting active cathode material has the predetermined ratio for use in new cells, and avoids high heat typically required to separate the useful elements because the desired materials remain commingled in solution.

公开(公告)号：US20210338252A1

公开(公告)日：2021-11-04

申请号：US17244825

申请日：2021-04-29

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic institute

Inventor： Jesse Kauffman ,  Karim A. Tarabein ,  Cameron W. Downey

IPC: A61B17/16 ,  A61B17/3213

Abstract: A surgical rongeur device has an interchangeable, locking tip at a cutting end for engageable replacement with a variety of cutting tips for facilitating sterilization and blade changes. A detachable linkage between a handle portion and an interchangeable cutting tip (tip) provides a strong connection for actuation by the handle end but allowing for tip replacement via slidable, lateral displacement of the tip. The tip includes a blade and footplate formed from an amorphous metal for longevity and strength advantages. A handle provides a lever to actuate the tip from slidable communication via the detachable linkage. An interlocking member extends longitudinally from the handle into an internal slot on the tip for locking the tip by preventing lateral movement out of alignment with the handle. The aligned tip is responsive to actuation from the handle via a rail for disposing the blade longitudinally against the footplate.

公开(公告)号：US11127992B2

公开(公告)日：2021-09-21

申请号：US16164952

申请日：2018-10-19

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Yan Wang ,  Eric Gratz ,  Qina Sa ,  Zhangfeng Zheng ,  Joseph Heelan

IPC: H01M10/54 ,  H01M4/505 ,  H01M10/0525 ,  C22B7/00 ,  C01G53/00 ,  C22B26/12 ,  C22B3/02 ,  H01M4/525 ,  C01D15/08 ,  C22B3/00 ,  C22B47/00 ,  C01G3/02 ,  C01F7/42 ,  C01G49/02

Abstract: Cathode material from exhausted lithium ion batteries are dissolved in a solution for extracting the useful elements Co (cobalt), Ni (nickel), Al (Aluminum) and Mn (manganese) to produce active cathode materials for new batteries. The solution includes compounds of desirable materials such as cobalt, nickel, aluminum and manganese dissolved as compounds from the exhausted cathode material of spent cells. Depending on a desired proportion, or ratio, of the desired materials, raw materials are added to the solution to achieve the desired ratio of the commingled compounds for the recycled cathode material for new cells. The desired materials precipitate out of solution without extensive heating or separation of the desired materials into individual compounds or elements. The resulting active cathode material has the predetermined ratio for use in new cells, and avoids high heat typically required to separate the useful elements because the desired materials remain commingled in solution.

公开(公告)号：US11110203B2

公开(公告)日：2021-09-07

申请号：US16548510

申请日：2019-08-22

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Jeannine Coburn ,  Glenn Gaudette ,  Nhi Phan

IPC: C12N5/00 ,  A61L27/36

Abstract: Provided herein are enzymatically decellularized cells, and methods of producing said cells, that can be used in a scaffold. The scaffolds featured herein are biocompatible and can comprise decellularized cells that have been modified to express a bioactive agent or molecule.

公开(公告)号：US11097430B2

公开(公告)日：2021-08-24

申请号：US16176138

申请日：2018-10-31

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Cagdas D. Onal ,  Onder Ondemir ,  Weijia Tao

IPC: B25J15/10 ,  B25J15/12 ,  B25J9/00 ,  B25J9/10

Abstract: A soft bodied robotic member has the appearance of a finger and has a deformable rubber elongated body surrounding an array of rigid ribs interconnected by a perpendicular constraint. The plates form a series of parallel protrusions extending from opposed sides of the body and have a serrated, sawtooth or wavelike appearance. A tether runs through each row of protrusions and draws the corresponding protrusions together in a compressive manner to bend or dispose the finger toward the compressed side. Gaps between the protrusion allow movement of the protrusion towards adjacent protrusions to dispose the body in an arcuate shape. The constraint is a planar sheet that bends with the arc along its width, but resists lateral twisting, thus limiting movement outside a plane defined by the arc and the tether. Multiple finger members may be placed in close geometric proximity for gripping a common object.