US 2026/0191670 A1 · LIP SEALS AND TIPS FOR PROSTHETIC DIGITS

Abstract

A prosthetic hand having one or more digits with a lip seal and a tip, which may be a conductive tip. The lip seal has a cross-sectional profile with a contact finger inclining radially outwardly from a radially inner main body portion. The contact finger can flex to account for variable gap sizes in which the seal is used. Less motor current draw is required for digit actuation as compared to use of an O-ring seal. The lip seal can provide a waterproof seal to the knuckle. The prosthetic digit may include a replaceable, and/or conductive, distal tip. The replaceable distal tips may reversibly couple to the prosthetic digit via push on and removal with a simple tool. The conductive distal tips may harness the capacitance of metallic portions of the digit. Contact of the tip may be recognized by and operable with capacitive touch screens, such as mobile devices.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A prosthetic hand comprising:

a palm portion;
a prosthetic digit comprising a proximal digit segment, the proximal digit segment comprising a drive housing and a support housing, respective edges of the drive housing and the support housing configured to couple together to form the proximal digit segment;
a knuckle attachment portion configured to couple with the proximal prosthetic digit segment and the palm portion, the knuckle attachment portion comprising:
a lip seal having a cross-sectional shape comprising a main body portion and a contact finger extending away from the main body portion;
a knuckle gearbox;
and
a bearing shaft;
and
an axis defined by the drive housing, the knuckle attachment portion, and the support housing, wherein the bearing shaft is configured to extend along the axis to couple the drive housing and the support housing to the knuckle gearbox, and wherein the lip seal is configured to provide a waterproof seal between the knuckle gearbox and the drive housing.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lip seals and tips for prosthetic digits

Life of this patent

Lip seals and tips for prosthetic digits

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20