Bruce Wiggin PhD
3925 Bentley Brook Dr, Raleigh, NC, USA
Brucewiggin@gmail.com 919-526-0662
Education
PhD
BS
University of North Carolina / North Carolina State University
(2009-2014) (Fully funded with stipend)
Biomedical Engineering
Dissertation: Characterizing optimal performance of a passive elastic ankle exoskeleton during human locomotion
Human Physiology of Wearable Robotics Lab
COE Fellowship Recipient ($26,000)
Exoskeleton research has received over 1 million dollars in grant funding
Dissertation: Characterizing optimal performance of a passive elastic ankle exoskeleton during human locomotion
Examination Fields: Biomechanics, Mechatronics, Design Engineering, Controls, Dynamics, Robotics, Musculoskeletal Physiology, Rehabilitation, Circuits
North Carolina State University (2005-2009)
Biomedical Engineering
Bioinstrumentation Concentration
Graduated Magna Cum Laude
Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
Profesional
Private Sector
Grants
Transenterix Raleigh, NC 2014 - present
Mechanical Design Engineer
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Developed mechatronic systems for a laparoscopic surgical robot.
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Developed an HD 3D, articulating endoscope.
North Central University 2015 - present
Associate Professor
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Taught Masters and PhD level courses in R&D management, management of technology, and quality management
North Central University 2015 - 2017
Course Developer
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Developed Masters and PhD level courses for North Central University in engineering and patent law, and quantitative measurements
Thayer Coggin Inc. High Point, NC 2006 - present (part time)
Design Engineer
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Worked with creative designers to manufacture new products
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Routinely traveled to international trade shows in France and Germany to represent the company
Martin Innovations, Raleigh, NC 2008-2011
Medical Device Design Engineer
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Designed automated and robotic exam tables, patient mobility devices (patient lifts, patient movers, MRI compatible stretchers) gynocology equipment, bariatric medical devices, and dental equipment.
MPD2, Raleigh, NC 2009-2011
Design Engineer
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Designed portable solar power systems and farms
Contract Design Engineer 2009-2014
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Designed metal working equipment, and re-engineered linear actuators
Chancellor’s Innovation Fund (2012)
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Development of a passive elastic exoskeleton $75,000
Programming / CAD
CAD: Solidworks, Zemax
Matlab, C, Visual Basic, Visual 3D, Vicon, Lab View
Programs written to analyze: 3D motion capture, inverse dynamics, human kinetics and kinematics, EMG, human metabolics, genetic algoritms, engineering simulations, FEAs
Microcontroller development and programming (PIC, AVR, Arduino)
Awards
Nature published author for research in developing human exoskeletons
Exoskeleton designs exhibited in the London Museum of Science, Popular Mechanics, BBC, CNN
President’s Award from the American Society of Biomechanics 2012
Da Vinci Award 2011 for Environmental Adaptation/Daily Living Chair-A-Table
Chancellor’s Innovation Fund (2012) Development of a passive elastic exoskeleton $75,000
Publications
-Reducing the energy cost of human walking using an unpowered exoskeleton, Wiggin MB, Collins SH, Sawicki GS (2015 Nature)
- An exoskeleton using controlled energy storage and release to aid ankle propulsion. IEEE Int Conf Rehabil Robot Wiggin, B., Collins, S.H., Sawicki, G.S. (2011)
- A passive-elastic ankle exoskeleton using controlled energy storage and release to aid human walking. Journal of Biomechanics. Wiggin MB, Sawicki GS, (2015 Planned)
2010 - present
2010 - present
Patents
Design experience
Medical / Robotics
Developed first portable exoskeleton to make human locomotion more efficient and lower metabolic cost of walking
Designed space frame carbon fiber composites, mechanical gearing, and mechatronic controls based on biofeedback
Designed FDA and UL regulated medical devices (FDA 510K UL6061)
Developed 3D articulating endoscopes from concept to manufacturing through a 510k.
Designed automated and robotic exam tables and patient mobility devices (patient lifts, patient movers, MRI compatible stretchers)
Designed and developed portable solar farms
Designed research EKGs, EMGs, EEGs, Sleep Monitors, Bioreactors, and Wireless Medical Monitoring Programs
US 8561226 B1
MRI or imaging transfer table
US 20130296741 A1 Vibrotactile biofeedback AFO
US 20130046218 A1
Clutch for using controlled storage and release of mechanical energy to aid locomotion
US 20120291197 A1
Patient Lift Device
US 8464371 B1
Patient lifting device
PCT/US14/61668
Electromechanical, unidirectional, rotary clutch systems and methods
Teaching and Presentations
Teaching
Podium
Hardware Demo / Poster
Graduate Research Assistant Human Power Lab (2009-2014)
Graduate Mentor to: 20+ Undergraduate Engineers Mentor to senior design teams in both Mechanical and Biomedical engineering *Both teams ranked first place in their respected design completions (2012)
Graduate TA: Engineering Physiology Lab (2009-2010)
Dynamic Walking 2012 Passive Dynamic Ankle Exoskeleton Reduces Metabolic Cost of Walking
Regional Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology 2011 A Bio-Inspired, Passive-Elastic, Ankle Exoskeleton
Dynamic Walking 2013 Spring stiffness affects energy cost during walking with a clutched ankle-foot orthosis
American Society of Biomechanics 2012 Portable Passive Elastic Exoskeleton Reduces the Metabolic Cost of Walking *Award Winning
International Conference of Rehabilitation Robotics 2011 An exoskeleton using controlled energy storage and release to aid ankle propulsion.
Dynamic Walking 2011 A Passive Elastic Exoskeleton Using Controlled Energy Storage and Release to Reduce the Metabolic Cost of Walking
American Society of Biomechanics 2010 A Passive-Elastic Ankle Exoskeleton Using Controlled Energy Storage and Release