Donald S Bloswick

US Patent:

8087684, Jan 3, 2012

Filed:

Apr 26, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/919467

Inventors:

Donald S. Bloswick - Salt Lake City UT, US
Jeffrey R. Clark - Brigham City UT, US
Miguel Gallegos - Salt Lake City UT, US
Brian J. Horne - Woods Cross UT, US
Abraham M. Kearl - Syracuse UT, US
Ryosuke Osawa - Yokohamashi, JP

Assignee:

University of Utah Research Foundation - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

B62M 1/14

US Classification:

2802501, 2803041

Abstract:

A wheelchair propulsion and braking system () includes at least one clutch engagement disk rotatably couplable to a wheelchair frame (). The clutch engagement disk () includes a gear () that is rotatable with the clutch engagement disk (), and a drive chain () disposed around the gear (). A drive wheel () is rotatably attachable to a wheel () of the wheelchair (), and operatively attachable to the drive chain (). The system also includes at least one lever arm () that is rotatably couplable to the wheelchair frame (). The at least one lever arm () includes a handle () operatively coupled to an upper end () of the lever arm (). The handle () is oriented in an accessible position during use. A pair of calipers () is operatively coupled to each lever arm (), and engageable with the at least one clutch engagement disk (). An actuator () is operatively coupled to the handle () to actuate the calipers (), and to engage the clutch engagement disk ().

US Patent:

8413959, Apr 9, 2013

Filed:

Mar 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/295415

Inventors:

Donald S. Bloswick - Salt Lake City UT, US
Duane A. Ferkovich - Saratoga Springs UT, US
Richard F. Sesek - Salt Lake City UT, US
Bruce Campbell - Palatine IL, US

Assignee:

University of Utah Research Foundation - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

E21B 19/00
B66F 3/00
H05K 7/20
H05K 7/00
H01K 1/14
B23P 19/02

US Classification:

254 30, 254120, 254131, 361700, 361705, 361740, 29251

Abstract:

A probe bar remover () for loosening and removing probe bars from the ground includes an elongated member () with an engagement end and a handling end. The elongated member () also includes a foot plate () along the elongated member () oriented toward the handling end. A bar engagement member () is coupled to the elongated member () at the engagement end and can include an engagement gap () for engaging a probe bar (). A fulcrum () can be oriented along the elongated member (), which contacts a ground surface, and a handlebar () is removably coupled to the handling end of the elongated member. To remove probe bars from a ground surface, the probe bar remover () can be engaged with an exposed portion of a probe bar () and a downward force is exerted on the foot plate () so as to at least loosen the probe bar () from the ground.

US Patent:

20060004302, Jan 5, 2006

Filed:

Jun 1, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/142572

Inventors:

Robert Tuckett - Salt Lake City UT, US
Spencer Reese - Taylorsville UT, US
Richard Sesek - Salt Lake City UT, US
Donald Bloswick - Salt Lake City UT, US

Assignee:

University of Utah Research Foundation - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

A61B 5/00

US Classification:

600552000

Abstract:

Apparatus, systems, and methods for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (“CTS”) are provided. Pressure on the median nerve at the wrist can lead to decreased tactile sensitivity in the fingertips. People with CTS may often experience numbness, tingling, and decreased sensitivity in their finger tips. Compared to a control group, subjects symptomatic of CTS had a greater mean shift (decrease) in tactile sensitivity than the control group when exposed to certain provocations. These provocations include wrist flexion, direct pressure on the transverse carpal ligament area of the wrist, and tendon loading. Additionally, the effects of slight venous occlusion in the forearm were studied. There is an increase in threshold during the recovery period after each provocation. Diagnosis of CTS is provided through monitoring and analysis, preferably with a computer in real-time, of subject's responses to these provocations.

US Patent:

55014763, Mar 26, 1996

Filed:

Jan 19, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/376128

Inventors:

Glade Howell - Salt Lake City UT
Jeff W. Bean - Kaysville UT
Judith L. Gooch - Salt Lake City UT
Donald Bloswick - Salt Lake City UT
Don R. Brown - Salt Lake City UT

Assignee:

University of Utah Research Foundation - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

B62M 104

US Classification:

280230

Abstract:

A therapeutic wheeled vehicle particularly suited for strengthening the hip extensor muscles of a user is described. The vehicle combines the therapeutic benefits of conditioning the hip extensor muscles with the enjoyable activity of propelling oneself on a wheeled vehicle. A frame is provided following the general pattern of a tricycle with one steerable wheel and a pair of driving wheels. A seat, a back rest, and at least one strap for holding the user in position on the seat and the back rest are also provided. These user support structures securely hold the user in the proper operating position, even when the user has less than normal muscular control and strength, such as with children with cerebral palsy. Structures are included for receiving at least a portion of the user's leg between the user's knee and the user's hip and for transmitting the extension motion of the user's hips into the rotational movement of the pair of driving wheels. Substantially only the hip extensor group of muscles of the user are used to propel the vehicle.

US Patent:

58489550, Dec 15, 1998

Filed:

Nov 4, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/740524

Inventors:

Judith L. Gooch - Salt Lake City UT
Donald Bloswick - Salt Lake City UT
Don R. Brown - Salt Lake City UT
Glade Howell - Salt Lake City UT
Jeff W. Bean - Kaysville UT

Assignee:

University of Utah Research Foundation - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

A63B 2304
B62M 120

US Classification:

482 57

Abstract:

A therapeutic system particularly suited for strengthening the hip extensor muscles of a user is described. The vehicle combines the therapeutic benefits of conditioning the hip extensor muscles with the enjoyable activity of propelling oneself on a wheeled vehicle. A frame is provided following the general pattern of a tricycle with one steerable wheel and a pair of driving wheels. A seat, a back rest, and at least one strap for holding the user in position on the seat and the back rest are also provided. These user support structures securely hold the user in the proper operating position, even when the user has less than normal muscular control and strength, such as with children with cerebral palsy. Structures are included for receiving at least a portion of the user's leg between the user's knee and the user's hip and for transmitting the extension motion of the user's hips into the rotational movement of the pair of driving wheels. Substantially only the hip extensor group of muscles of the user are used to propel the vehicle.

US Patent:

55138675, May 7, 1996

Filed:

Aug 24, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/110844

Inventors:

Donald S. Bloswick - Salt Lake City UT
Ben D. Shirley - Gallup NM
Eric M. King - Midvale UT

Assignee:

University of Utah - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

B60N 210

US Classification:

2802501

Abstract:

A wheelchair includes a seat that pivots forward to assist the user in exiting and entering the chair. The seat is biased toward its forward or up-right position by mechanical springs having force adjustments for user adjustment of the seat-lift force. One embodiment includes a cam mechanism for varying this seat-lift force as the seat is being raised. A closed-loop hydraulic cylinder and piston actuator system is provided to (1) damp the spring action as the seat is raised and lowered, (2) control the rate of seat ascent and descent, and (3) permit the user to stop and lock the seat in any position between the horizontal and up-right positions. This closed-loop hydraulic system includes a manual control valve for user-control of the seat raising and lowering, and a user-adjustable flow rate control valve for limiting seat ascent and descent speeds.