There is disclosed a biomechanically driven prosthetic thumb assembly. Embodiments include an H-shaped rocker and a distal ring configured to receive a user's residual thumb, the distal ring and the rocker each independently and rotatively coupled between a coupling tip and a proximal anchor plate configured for affixing to a hand strap secured to a user. The coupling tip is articulated in response to a pulling force of the H-shaped rocker. Additional embodiments include a bidirectional thumb assembly including a ring mounted upon an adjustable ring tendon that is rotatively coupled between a coupling tip and a proximal anchor plate, which is rotatively coupled with a hand strap attached to the user. Vertical movement of the residual thumb within the ring actuates the coupling tip within a vertical plane. Lateral movement of the residual thumb within the ring actuates the coupling tip within a lateral plane. Other embodiments are disclosed.

An apparatus for use in actuating a wearable terminal device includes a housing coupled to a harness system, a control unit, a movable actuating element having its one end in the housing and the other end connected through coupling means to the terminal device, and a conduit which contains the actuating element. The actuating element is a body-powered cable, an artificial tendon coupled to an actuator device installed in the housing, or an actuator wire made of smart material.

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.

The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a bidirectional biomechanical prosthetic finger assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an eccentric metacarpophalangeal (MCP) pivot configured for swivelable attachment to a hand of a user, a distal coupler, and an articulation assembly rotatively coupled therebetween. A ring configured to receive a user's residual finger is disposed upon the articulation assembly, and may be adjusted to a target location based on a length of the residual finger. The articulation assembly is configured to utilize vertical movements of the residual finger within the ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-z plane, and the MCP pivot is configured to utilize lateral movements of the residual finger within the ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-y plane. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a bidirectional biomechanical prosthetic finger assembly. One embodiment includes a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) pivot configured for swivelable attachment to a hand of a user, a distal coupler, and an articulation assembly rotatively coupled therebetween. A multiple-finger ring configured to receive a user's residual finger and at least one adjacent finger is disposed upon the articulation assembly, and may be adjusted to a target location based on a length of the residual finger. The articulation assembly is configured to utilize vertical movements of the residual and/or adjacent finger(s) within the multiple-finger ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-z plane, and the MCP pivot is configured to utilize lateral movements of the residual finger within the ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-y plane. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a bidirectional biomechanical prosthetic finger assembly. One embodiment includes a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) pivot configured for swivelable attachment to a hand of a user, a distal coupler, and an articulation assembly rotatively coupled therebetween. A multiple-finger ring configured to receive a user's residual finger and at least one adjacent finger is disposed upon the articulation assembly, and may be adjusted to a target location based on a length of the residual finger. The articulation assembly is configured to utilize vertical movements of the residual and/or adjacent finger(s) within the multiple-finger ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-z plane, and the MCP pivot is configured to utilize lateral movements of the residual finger within the ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-y plane. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

There is disclosed a biomechanically driven prosthetic thumb assembly. Embodiments include an H-shaped rocker and a distal ring configured to receive a user's residual thumb, the distal ring and the rocker each independently and rotatively coupled between a coupling tip and a proximal anchor plate configured for affixing to a hand strap secured to a user. The coupling tip is articulated in response to a pulling force of the H-shaped rocker. Additional embodiments include a bidirectional thumb assembly including a ring mounted upon an adjustable ring tendon that is rotatively coupled between a coupling tip and a proximal anchor plate, which is rotatively coupled with a hand strap attached to the user. Vertical movement of the residual thumb within the ring actuates the coupling tip within a vertical plane. Lateral movement of the residual thumb within the ring actuates the coupling tip within a lateral plane. Other embodiments are disclosed.

At least partial function of a human limb is restored by surgically removing at least a portion of an injured or diseased human limb from a surgical site of an individual and transplanting a selected muscle into the remaining biological body of the individual, followed by contacting the transplanted selected muscle, or an associated nerve, with an electrode, to thereby control a device, such as a prosthetic limb, linked to the electrode. Simulating proprioceptive sensory feedback from a device includes mechanically linking at least one pair of agonist and antagonist muscles, wherein a nerve innervates each muscle, and supporting each pair with a support, whereby contraction of the agonist muscle of each pair will cause extension of the paired antagonist muscle. An electrode is implanted in a muscle of each pair and electrically connected to a motor controller of the device, thereby simulating proprioceptive sensory feedback from the device.

Prosthetic devices and, more particularly, modular myoelectric prosthesis components and related methods, are described. In one embodiment, a hand for a prosthetic limb may comprise a rotor-motor; a transmission, comprising a differential roller screw; a linkage coupled to the transmission; and at least one finger coupled to the linkage. In one embodiment, a component part of a wrist of a prosthetic limb may comprise an exterior-rotor motor, a planetary gear transmission, a clutch, and a cycloid transmission. In one embodiment, an elbow for a prosthetic limb may comprise an exterior-rotor motor, and a transmission comprising a planetary gear transmission, a non-backdrivable clutch, and a screw.

The present invention provides a prosthetic hand capable of multiple grasp types. The prosthetic finger units are underactuated both within and between the finger units using a differential mechanism arrangement. The locking movement of the prosthetic thumb unit is coupled to the differential mechanism. As the user repositions the prosthetic thumb unit, the differential mechanism is effected as to alter both the initial positions and force distribution of the prosthetic finger units. The present invention further provides an additive manufacturing molding method for making the same.