US 11,229,533 B2Granted

Prosthetic partial fingers

AssigneeThe Regents of the University of Colorado

InventorsJacob Segil, Stephen Huddle, Levin Sliker, Richard Weir

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Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to prosthetic partial finger designs that can mimic the last two joints of the finger. Some embodiments include a proximal phalange, a distal phalange coupled to the proximal phalange, and a knuckle track (e.g., formed in an arc). The knuckle track can be moveably coupled to the proximal phalange an may include multiple teeth formed on which the proximal phalange slides along. A ratcheting mechanism can contact the multiple teeth to allow sliding in only a first direction while the ratcheting mechanism is engaged. Some embodiments include a release mechanism (e.g., a button) configured to disengage the ratcheting mechanism from the multiple teeth to allow the distal phalange to slide in a second direction. In some embodiments, the device may include a spring-back capability that automatically extends the finger after reaching full finger flexion, enabling one-handed use.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A prosthetic finger, comprising:

a knuckle defining:
an arc and configured to attach to a prosthetic socket;
and
an aperture;
a first phalange, comprising:
a first end coupled to the knuckle;
and
a second end, the first phalange configured to:
move with respect to the knuckle in a flexion direction;
and
move with respect to the knuckle in an extension direction;
a second phalange corresponding to a distal phalange, coupled to the first phalange and configured to rotate about the second end of the first phalange;
a link bar, comprising:
a first end rotationally coupled to the aperture;
and
a second end coupled to the second phalange and configured to rotate the second phalange about the second end of the first phalange when the first phalange moves in the flexion direction;
and
a locking mechanism, comprising:
a first component coupled to the first phalange;
a second component coupled to the knuckle, configured to releasably engage with the first component, and configured to prevent the first phalange from moving in the extension direction when the first component is engaged with the second component;
and
a release button configured to disengage the first component from the second component, thereby allowing the first phalange to move in the extension direction.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/164,480Filed 1 Feb 2021 · continuation
Priority: 19 Nov 2018
Published: US 2021/0177627 A117 Jun 2021
Granted: 25 Jan 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

A61F 2/586
Hands; Wrist joints: fingers
A61F 2/5046
Designing or manufacturing processes: for designing or making customized prostheses, e.g. using templates, finite-element analysis or CAD-CAM…
A61F 2/66
Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof: feet; Ankle joints
A61F 2/72
Electrical: bioelectric control, e.g. myoelectric

Family

Application62/769,360Us provisional application · filed 19 Nov 2018
Application16/688,719Parent of this continuation · filed 19 Nov 2019
US 2021/0177627 A1Pre-grant publication · published 17 Jun 2021
US 10,905,570 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2020/0155330 A1Published application
US 11,229,533 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.