Patent ID: 11938044
Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A  B | IPC A  B

Claim 9:
10. A method, comprising:
outputting, by an energy generator comprising an apparatus, a first force, the apparatus further comprising an energy storage element and a link assembly that includes a plurality of links coupled, via one or more joints, at one or more pivot locations, each link of the plurality of links having a relative length configured to achieve a variable mechanical advantage profile in which a mechanical advantage of the link assembly is at a minimum when the link assembly is in a crouched configuration, increases as the link assembly transitions from the crouched configuration to an extended configuration, and is at a maximum when the link assembly is in the extended configuration, the first force output by the energy generator causing an accumulation of energy in the energy storage element when the link assembly is in the crouched configuration, and the first force further transitioning the link assembly from the crouched configuration to the extended configuration;
in response to the link assembly being transitioned to the extended configuration, releasing, by the energy storage element, the energy accumulated in the energy storage element; and
amplifying, by the link assembly in the extended configuration, both the first force output by the energy generator and a second force associated with the energy released from the energy storage element, the amplified first force and second force triggering a motion of the apparatus, wherein a force amplification achieved by the link assembly is variable based on respective lengths of the plurality of links, respective masses of the plurality of links, and the one or more pivot locations.