A system and method for a prosthetic assembly that includes a first prosthetic component, comprising a prosthetic hand base; a set of second prosthetic components, comprising a set of prosthetic fingers, and a set of actuating systems, wherein one actuating system connects a pair of distinct prosthetic components, enabling actuation of one prosthetic component with respect to the other. Each actuating system, from the set of actuating systems, includes a linkage and a sensored brushless motor; wherein the sensored brushless motor comprises a brushless motor, a field oriented control system, a rotary encoder, and a gearbox.

The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a prosthetic finger assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a coupling tip and a distal ring coupled with the coupling tip. The assembly further includes a proximal ring coupled with the distal ring. A rocker formed in a Y-shape with a first end forming a single prong and a second end forming a split prong may extend between the coupling tip and the proximal ring. The coupling tip, distal ring, proximal ring, and Y-shaped rocker may all be hingedly connected such that movements of the residual finger within the proximal ring and the distal articulate the distal ring together with the rocker to curl and bend the coupling tip. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

A linear actuator assembly housed within a bionic digit, which comprises a base portion, an intermediate portion and an end portion; the intermediate portion pivotally connected to the base portion at one end and pivotally connected to the end portion at the opposite end. The linear actuator assembly includes a drive mechanism; a carriage mechanism having a longitudinal axis (L); a transmission member for transmitting rotational force from the drive mechanism to the carriage mechanism; and a drive member coupled to the carriage mechanism. The carriage mechanism converts the rotational force into an axial force applied to the drive member, moving the drive member along the axis as the carriage mechanism rotates. The drive member is pivotally connected to the end portion. The intermediate portion houses the linear actuator, which further includes a first thrust bearing between the carriage mechanism and the drive mechanism, and the second thrust bearing between the carriage mechanism and a seat provided within the intermediate portion, the carriage mechanism confined between the thrust bearings at each end.

This application relates to a metal coating method for plastic outer part requiring robustness. In the metal coating method, first, provide a plastic outer part as a motion assistance tool. Thereafter, a cold plasma treatment is performed to introduce a polar functional group to a surface of the plastic outer part by treating the plastic outer part with cold plasma. Next, a metal coating layer is formed on the surface of the plastic outer part treated with the cold plasma by an electroless plating method. Thereafter, an adhesive strength improvement process of improving an adhesive strength between the metal coating layer and the plastic outer part to 1,000 g/cm.sup.2 or more by heat treatment of the plastic outer part with the metal coating layer thereon is performed.

A control system for control of a prosthetic device having a plurality of actuators receives an orientation signal indicative of a desired movement. The control system evaluates whether the prosthetic device may move as desired with a current angle of rotation and commands at least one actuator to move the prosthetic device as desired by maintaining the current angle of rotation or by adjusting the angle of rotation if the prosthetic device cannot move as desired with the current angle. The control system may alternate between commanding a first subset of actuators and a second subset of actuators each time the orientation signal is indicative of a neutral position. The control system may include a position sensor and a compliance sensor and may command at least one actuator based on a combination of positional control using the position sensor and force control using the compliance sensor.

A wrist device for a prosthetic limb is provided. The device (1) comprises a base member (3) connectable to the wearer of the device, and a support member (13) connectable to the limb. The support member (13) is pivotably connected to the base member (3) such that the support member can pivot about a pivot axis (A) relative to the base member. A damping mechanism is located between the base (3) member and the support member (5). The damping mechanism comprises a pinion (47) connected to the support member (5) and rotatable about the pivot axis (A) relative to the base member (3). A rack (35) is engaged with the pinion (47) such that rotational motion of the pinion causes a linear motion of the rack, and at least one biasing member (41) extends between the base member (3) and the rack. The biasing member (41) biases the rack (35) and support member (13) into a neutral position. A prosthetic limb incorporating the wrist device is also provided.

The present application describes apparatus for supporting a mechanical hand, comprising a support member (200) pivotally coupled at a hinge axis (604) to a mounting member (700); and at least one leaf spring (707) configured to resist movement of the support member about the hinge axis. Apparatus for supporting a mechanical hand, comprising a lock arrangement (750) to lock the support member with respect to the mounting member in a rotational position about the hinge axis is also described.

The present application describes a mechanical hand (100) comprising a plurality of finger assemblies (102) each selectively moveable by a respective finger drive assembly about a finger pivot axis along a finger flexion/extension plane and between a finger open position and a finger closed position; a thumb assembly (104) selectively rotatable by a first thumb drive assembly about a first thumb axis between an opposed position and a non-opposed position with respect to the finger assemblies, and selectively moveable by a second thumb drive assembly about a second thumb axis along a thumb flexion/extension plane and between a thumb open position and a thumb closed position; a controller operatively coupled to the finger and thumb drive assemblies; and a selector operatively coupled to the controller for selecting a desired thumb rotational position or a desired grip to be defined by the finger assemblies and the thumb assembly. A method of operating a mechanical hand is also described.

The present application describes a prosthetic or robot part (500), comprising at least one phalange member (532) pivotally coupled to a base (509) at a pivot axis; and a drive assembly to selectively move the phalange member about the pivot axis along a flexion/extension plane between an open position and a closed position, said drive assembly comprising a drive element (512) coupled to an actuator (506) and a driven element (514) coupled to the phalange member; wherein the driven element (514) is decouplable from the drive element (512) when the phalange member is caused to move in a first rotational direction about the pivot axis by an external force.

A prosthetic attachment for a prosthetic limb. A base is attached to the prosthetic limb. The base has a magnet that is surrounded by base valleys and base peaks. An attachment piece is attached to the prosthetic attachment. The attachment piece also has a magnet that is surrounded by attachment piece valleys and attachment piece peaks. The magnetic force between the base magnet and the attachment piece magnet attracts the prosthetic attachment to the prosthetic limb so that the base peaks and valleys mates with the attachment piece peaks and valleys for a secure removable attachment. In a preferred embodiment a locking device is used to further secure the prosthetic attachment to the prosthetic limb. In a preferred embodiment the prosthetic attachment is a prosthetic hand and the prosthetic limb is a prosthetic arm.