SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING A DIGIT TO POSITION A PROSTHETIC OR ORTHOTIC DEVICE

• US 20080215162A1
• Filed: 02/06/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hanger, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hanger Orthopedic Group
• Inventors: Tompkins, Michael E., FARNSWORTH, TROY
• Granted Patent: US 7,828,857 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/57
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/583 Hands; Wrist joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/586 Fingers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/68 Operating or control means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/72 Bioelectric control, e.g. myoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/587 Thumbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6872 attached and mechanically operated by remaining muscle bioelectrical control A61F2/72
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/704 computer-controlled, e.g. robotic control
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/762 for measuring dimensions, e.g. a distance
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7625 for measuring angular position
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7635 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension

Abstract

A method and system for determining a grip or grasp pattern of a prosthetic terminal device or other orthotic device using the position of the thumb or other digit as the initial determination of the grasping function. The system comprising sensors, an electronic control system and a motor drive.

Claims

1. A device for positioning a prosthetic device comprising:

one or more sensors connected to a patient;

a control system in communication with the one or more sensors;

a driving mechanism in communication with the control system and connected to the prosthetic device, the prosthetic device comprising an angle sensor;

wherein the control system manipulates the driving mechanism based upon the inputs received from the one or more sensors and the angle sensor.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the angle sensor senses the angle position of the thumb comparative to the rest of the prosthetic device.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the driving mechanism moves the fingers of the prosthetic device towards the palm of the prosthetic device when the angle position of the thumb is extended furthest from the palm.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the control system suspends use of the index finger and the driving mechanism moves the fingers of the prosthetic device towards the palm of the prosthetic device when the angle position of the thumb is extended approximately thirty degrees away from the palm.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the control system activates use of the thumb and index finger and suspends use of the remaining digits when the angle position of the thumb is extended approximately sixty degrees away from the palm.

6. The device of claim 2 wherein the driving mechanism extends all of the fingers of the prosthetic device away from the palm of the prosthetic device when the angle position of the thumb is closest to the palm.

7. A method of positioning a prosthetic device comprising the steps of:

receiving in a control system outputs from a first sensor;

receiving in the control system outputs from a second sensor connected to a person and separate from the first sensor;

determining the optimal movement of the prosthetic device based upon the calculations of the control system;

activating a motor drive connected to the prosthetic device based upon the outputs of the control system.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the first sensor is connected to the prosthetic device.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the second sensor detects electromyographic muscle signals.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the second sensor is a force sensing resistor sensor.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the second sensor is a switch sensor.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the second sensor is connected to the hand of the person.

13. A device for determining the grasp of a prosthetic device comprising:

a patient sensor for sensing an input from a patient;

a control system in communication with the patient sensor;

a driving mechanism in communication with the control system and connected to the prosthetic device that comprises an angle sensor;

wherein the control system manipulates the driving mechanism based upon the inputs received from the patient sensor and the angle sensor.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the patient sensor is an electromyographic sensor.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein the patient sensor is a force sensing resistor sensor.

16. The device of claim 13 wherein the patient sensor is a switch sensor.

17. The device of claim 13 wherein the input from the patient is a contraction or expansion of the patient'"'"'s muscle.