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Miniature Generator Power for Advanced Prostheses

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Army
Contract: W81XWH-06-C-0384
Agency Tracking Number: A064-031-0151
Amount: $99,944.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: A06-T031
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2006
Award Year: 2006
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2006-08-15
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2007-07-14
Small Business Information
45 Manning Road
Billerica, MA 01821
United States
DUNS: 030817290
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Kurt Annen
 (978) 663-9500
 kannen@aerodyne.com
Business Contact
 Charles Kolb
Title: President
Phone: (978) 663-9500
Email: kolb@aerodyne.com
Research Institution
 VANDERBILT UNIV.
 Carol L Hachey
 
VU Station B #357749
Nashville, TN 37235
United States

 (615) 322-3979
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

The capabilities of current prostheses are substantially limited by the lack of suitable high energy density portable power. Specifically, current myoelectric prostheses utilize rechargeable batteries, which provide typically less than 10% of the daily energy required for typical activities of daily living. Such limitations in the energy source significantly limit the utility of these prostheses, and impede the motivation for addressing other shortcomings such as number of degrees of freedom and power output. Aerodyne Research, Inc. (ARI) and Vanderbilt University propose to address this need for high energy density power for prosthetic device by developing powered prostheses using ARI’s miniature internal combustion engine (MICE) generator for the electric power source. A MICE-generator-powered myoelectric prosthesis could provide power for a full day of activities using a single 50 cc cartridge of butane, representing a vast improvement over current prostheses. In this proposed Phase I program, the operation of a MICE generator at the nominal power output level required for transfemoral and transhumeral prostheses will be demonstrated. Also, the power requirements for transfemoral and transhumeral prostheses will be characterized, and conceptual designs for these prostheses will be developed based on a MICE generator power source.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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