An upper-extremity prosthetic is adapted to engage with an athletic ball. The prosthetic includes one or more springs that provide energy return as a user is throwing the ball using the prosthetic. The springs can have a conductivity that changes in relation to an amount of strain or deformation of the spring. The change in conductivity can be used to provide haptic feedback to the user so the user can sense the amount of force being applied to throw the ball. In some embodiments, the springs are made by a multi-material 3D printing (additive manufacturing) process and include a first material that is electrically non-conductive and a second material that electrically conductive. In some embodiments, the prosthetic also includes one or more cantilevered springs that are also adapted to engage with the ball and to provide energy return while throwing the ball.

Disclosed is a motion-mode- and thumb-position-based motion control system and method of a myoelectric hand, and more particularly a motion-mode- and thumb-position-based motion control system and method of a myoelectric hand that is capable of performing a hand motion indicating emotion or intention expression as well as a grasping motion for holding an object according to restrictive electromyography signals transmitted from two electromyography sensors provided at the myoelectric hand and that is capable of diversifying hand motions and grips depending on the position of a thumb that can be changed by a user, whereby a utilization range of the myoelectric hand is simply extended.

A prosthesis may include a fitted stump cover. The prosthesis may also include a socket fitted over the stump cover. The prosthesis may further include a ball attached to the socket. In addition, the prosthesis may include a shuttle locking mechanism attached in part to the ball. Further, the prosthesis may include a tool attached to the prosthesis by the shuttle locking mechanism.

An embodiment includes an apparatus for coupling a user to a robot to provide robot-assisted physical therapy to the user. Other embodiments are described herein.

A prosthetic device control apparatus includes at least one sensor worn by a user. The sensor(s) determines a user's movement. A control module is in communication with the sensor(s). The control module communicates movement information to a prosthetic. A method for controlling a prosthetic device includes sensing a user's movement, communicating the movement through a control module to a prosthetic device; and controlling the movement of a prosthetic device.

Prostheses include a terminal device, a back-lock mechanism, a wrist, a limb-socket, and a harness system. The terminal device can be a five-fingered mechanical hand that provides a releasable adaptive grasp, and has independently flexible fingers. The limb socket can be 3D printed using a molded model of a remnant limb. The harness strap can encircle an unaffected limb and is coupled to the terminal device with a cable so that a user can control the terminal device. The harness system can include a 3D printed harness ring that couples to the cable.

A prosthesis that can be actuated by external force includes a prosthesis shaft and an exoprosthesis with at least one prosthesis motor that can be activated by a prosthesis control device and a joint. The prosthesis control device includes a housing, a microcontroller and display device, so that a gripping process can be replicated by the prosthesis motor controllable by the prosthesis control device and parameters of the gripping process are displayed on a display, in which case recording and evaluation of the electromyography signals are dispensed with. The display displays the chosen parameters of an imminent gripping process and the prosthesis control device includes an input device by which a desired gripping force and/or gripping time can be actively set on the microcontroller before performance of the gripping process by a prosthesis wearer directly on the prosthesis control device and can be readjusted during the gripping process.

A prosthesis system having at least two sensors, at least one control device, which is coupled to the sensors and processes sensor signals of the sensors, at least one actuator, which is coupled to the control device and can be activated or deactivated on the basis of control signals of the control device, and at least one movably mounted prosthesis component, which can be displaced by the actuator. A standard program, which assigns an actuator action to each sensor independently of the duration and/or intensity of the sensor signal, is stored in the control device or can be called up by the control device.

The present invention provides A prosthetic device (10) having an anchor portion (30) in combination with a base portion (12) which is connected to said anchor portion (30). An elongate digit (14) is coupled to a first portion of a pivot connection (16a) mounted on the base portion (12), whilst a second portion of a pivot connection (16b) is mounted on the proximal end (14a) of the digit (14) and is connected to the first portion (16a) of the pivot connection (16). A linear actuator (40) within the elongate digit (14) has a first portion (40a) secured to the elongate digit (14) for movement therewith and a second portion (40b) remote therefrom and axially movable relative thereto and is operable with said pivot connection (16) to thereby to cause pivotal movement of said digit (14) around said pivot connection (16a, 16b) upon axial movement of said second portion (40b) of said linear actuator (40).

Systems and methods for manual gesture recognition to control prosthetic devices. Low encumbrance systems utilizing glove-based recognition to control prosthetic devices. Prosthetic control systems and methods are also provided utilizing elements for application on the user's fingernails.