Prosthetic digit with articulating links
AssigneeTouch Bionics Limited
InventorMatthew James Benning
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Features for prosthetic digits are described. The digits mimic natural fingers by having multiple articulating segments, for example three, that can rotate varying amounts. Rotatable and/or linearly expandable mechanical links are configured to provide the digit segments with multiple degrees of rotational freedom. The digit may have an actuator that outputs linear actuation to cause rotation of the digit segments. The digit may have an expandable proximal link to allow for variable relative rotational positions of the segments. Middle and/or distal digit segments may fully rotate independent of rotation of a proximal digit segment. The rotated digit may thus fully surround and grasp small or large objects, objects with irregular outer contours, etc.
Claims21
(canceled)
A prosthetic digit comprising:
- a proximal segment, a middle segment, and a distal segment, with the proximal segment rotatably attached to the middle segment, and the middle segment rotatably attached to the proximal and distal segments;
- and
- an actuator coupled with the proximal segment, the actuator comprising:
- a worm wheel;
- and
- a spring extending circumferentially around a central axis of the worm wheel, the spring configured to rotationally bias the worm wheel in an angular direction about the central axis;
- wherein rotation of the proximal segment about the central axis of the worm wheel causes the proximal, middle and distal segments to rotate between an open position and a closed position.
A prosthetic hand comprising:
- a prosthetic palm;
- a prosthetic digit comprising:
- a proximal segment, a middle segment, and a distal segment, with the proximal segment rotatably attached to the middle segment, and the middle segment rotatably attached to the proximal and distal segments;
- and
- an actuator coupled with the proximal segment, the actuator comprising:
- a worm wheel;
- and
- a spring extending circumferentially around a central axis of the worm wheel, the spring configured to rotationally bias the worm wheel in an angular direction about the central axis;
- wherein rotation of the proximal segment about the central axis of the worm wheel causes the proximal, middle and distal segments to rotate between an open position and a closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.