A movement actuator includes an elongate filament made of a flexible material, and a strip of shape memory alloy disposed on the surface of one side of the filament. The shape memory alloy is responsive to actuation signals, heat or electrical signals, for changing its shape and when its shape changes, it causes the filament to move, i.e., bend, to accommodate the change in shape of the alloy. Also included is a signal supply device for selectively applying heat signals or electrical current to the strip of shape memory alloy to causes the alloy to change its shape and cause the filament to bend. Other patterns for the shape memory alloy could be disposed on the filament to cause other kinds of movements. For example, a helical pattern of the shape memory alloy about the filament would cause the filament to twist when the helical pattern were caused to shorten or lengthen.

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A system for providing haptic information to a human operator. The system utilizes display devices that dynamically convey touch sensations to the human operator, thereby creating various tactile sensations such as texture and slippage. The system can combine multiple display devices as needed in order to create a specified sense.

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Apparatus to actively assist neuromotor disabled to have better leg functional control/use. This system serves as a strength enhancer, support device, and attenuator of spastic motions. The disclosed orthosis is worn on the outside of the leg (or legs) and serves as an active/dynamic brace to prevent leg spasms and other untoward leg motion. It is made of lightweight material such as fiberglass or aluminum and is actuated by pneumatic gas sources which are small, portable, and carried with the device. The device is totally self contained and has no external connection. The system has applicability to patients such as: stroke (cerebral vascular accident), TBI (traumatic brain injury), Muscular Dystrophy, and some spinal cord injured.

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A T-shaped member is pivotally mounted to a support plate, and has first and second shape memory wires attached at first ends thereof to opposing portions of the T-shape. Second opposing free ends of the shape memory wires are secured to the support plate. Electrical current is conducted alternately through the first and second shape memory wires to cause the wires to contract in alternating tandem, to thereby cause the T-shaped member to move between first and second positions. Pivotal movement of the T-shaped member can be used to actuate and/or reactivate a switch device.

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A bottoming detector for detecting the movement of a pump shaft beyond a pre-determined distance within a cylinder is disclosed. The pump has a housing defining an elongate cavity filled with fluid, a resilient sheet with an aperture in alignment with the cavity which divides the cavity into first and second compartments, and an elongate shaft disposed within the first compartment of the cavity such that it may be moved into and out of the aperture in the sheet to cause pressure fluctuations in the second compartment. There is also a chamber in fluid communication with the second compartment. In the chamber there is actuating means responsive to excessive pressure in the chamber, that actuates a switch to indicate that the shaft has reached a certain distance into the second compartment.

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