MOFO

Our vision is to utilize our unique experience and insight from our years of clinical experience in our prosthetic clinic to transform the way our military connects to tools, equipment and devices, including weapons and armor systems, COMMS, medical equipment, gear, even exoskeletons. Enter our  patents-pending Motion-Capturing Fast Access Osseostabilizing (MOFO) limb exoskeleton, a design that bridges the gap between the overloaded soldier and the complex and powered combat and logistical support exoskeletons. Our MOFO is based on application of our Osseostabilization™ principles through a Compression Release Stabilized (CRS) system conceived by our CEO Randall Alley. This arrangement results in a syncing of the interface (and hence the external device connected to it) to skeletal motion, an effect dubbed Osseosynchronization™.

Our MOFO is a multi-use exo system that enhances the warfighter’s ability to shoot, move, communicate, and protect without adversely affecting range of motion or impacting metabolic efficiency. The MOFO is not designed to lift heavy loads or leap tall buildings, but rather to be a force multiplier. It allows for rapid access to mission critical gear and redistribution of a small portion of weight and bulk from backpacks and/or vests for improved posture and dynamic balance, mitigating injuries incurred over long marches or during battlefield maneuvering. The MOFO is also suitable as a highly stabilized armor platform allowing a significant offset between the plate and skin, greatly reducing injury caused by non-lethal or partial penetration. Its ability to mount and stabilize a display on the forearm also improves situational awareness. The MOFO platform provides more immediate access to equipment and tools for the operator but also others in close proximity that might need access to mounted gear.

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DARPA

Adaptive Diagnostic Tooling for Customized Upper Limb Prosthetic Socket Fitment (D15PC00174)

DARPA realized, as do we, that the success and adoption of the “LUKE” Arm relies on something beyond their control – the prosthetist. Many might think the device or component attached to the user is key to user success with a system, however the attachment strategy (in this case the socket or interface design), is the most critical aspect of determining wearer success or failure. There are numerous and distinct challenges present for upper limb amputees including prosthetists’ limited exposure and experience fitting upper limb patients. Current and Standard of Care (SOC) fitting techniques often yield biomechanically flawed sockets that are uncomfortable, unstable, and impede full range of motion, resulting in compromised device performance or election by the amputee to abandon the prosthesis altogether, despite having the most advanced prosthetic components.

To address these challenges, DARPA sought the development of innovative diagnostic tools to improve socket fittings and socket performance, thus enabling prosthetists to more successfully and systematically deploy advanced upper extremity prosthetics. To solve these issues, biodesigns competed for and was awarded a $1.5M Direct to Phase II + Option, through the SBIR/DARPA program. Randall Alley was the primary interface (socket) consultant engaged by DEKA on their LUKE arm project (which was part of DARPA’s Revolutionizing Prosthetics Program, RP2007), but this particular award (#D15PC00174) was biodesigns’ first DARPA contract.

The HiFi Interface™ and HiFi Imager™ System with Osseostabilization™ technology, created by Alley, was successfully used in DEKA’s LUKE arm studies and was the platform technology for biodesigns’ DARPA contract. One deliverable was the creation of metrics to relate fitment diagnostics to prosthesis performance, setting the stage for a systematic approach to determine standards for ideal socket fit. Currently, biodesigns is seeking commercialization partners to further expand this innovative research.

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