Hybrid Prosthetic Hand

• US 20150112448A1
• Filed: 10/23/2013
• Published: 04/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kurt W. Scott, Marco P. Schoen
• Original Assignee: Kurt W. Scott, Marco P. Schoen
• Inventors: Scott, Kurt W., Schoen, Marco P.
• Application Number:
  US14/061,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20150112448A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/25
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/586 Fingers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/70 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/72 Bioelectric control, e.g. myoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6827 Feedback system for providing user sensation, e.g. by force, contact or position
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/704 computer-controlled, e.g. robotic control

Abstract

A hybrid prosthetic hand is detailed which is controlled via input from both sEMG signals, as well as mechanical control from the elbow and shoulder of an amputee. The device is equipped with mechanical fingers, which are driven by electrical motors, and controlled via microcontrollers. The mechanical fingers are designed to form a variety of shapes and provide variable force in accordance with the contextual desires of the amputee, which are conveyed to the device primarily through the movement of the shoulder and/or elbow of the amputee. The instructions sent to the mechanical fingers of the device by the shoulder or elbow is augmented by instructions provided via sEMG signals.

Claims

1. A hybrid prosthetic hand for an amputee comprising:

an EMG sensor array, said EMG sensor array configured to capture data via sEMG signals,

a microcontroller;

a mechanical controller;

a hierarchical controller;

at least one tension cable;

at least one loosening cable;

at least one Bowden cable;

at least one electric motor;

a harness, wherein said harness is in communication with the amputee;

wherein said mechanical controller is configured to receive input from said harness;

wherein said microcontroller is configured to convert said data from said EMG sensor array into instructions for said hierarchical controller;

wherein said at least one tension cable is strained upon movement of an elbow of the amputee;

mechanical fingers, wherein said mechanical fingers are moved by said Bowden cables via said at least one electric motor when instructed by said hierarchical controller;

wherein said mechanical fingers are moved by said Bowden cables when instructed by said mechanical controller via a shoulder of the amputee; and

wherein all movement of said mechanical fingers is enacted via three input methods selected from the following;

motion of the shoulder, rotation of the elbow, sEMG signal.

2. The hybrid prosthetic hand for an amputee of claim 1, wherein said harness is in communication with the shoulder of the amputee.

3. The hybrid prosthetic hand for an amputee of claim 1, wherein said harness is in communication with the elbow of the amputee.

4. The hybrid prosthetic hand for an amputee of claim 1, wherein said at least one electric motor in in communication with said mechanical fingers.

5. The hybrid prosthetic hand for an amputee of claim 1, further comprising:

a motion intend stage;

a model mapping stage;

a motion control stage;

a force control stage;

wherein said motion intend stage, said model mapping stage, said motion control stage, and said force control stage are regulated by said microcontroller;

wherein said motion control stage and said force control stage are configured to determine the extent to which said mechanical fingers move; and

wherein said motion control stage and said force control stage are configured to determine the extent of force applied to said mechanical fingers.

6. The hybrid prosthetic hand for an amputee of claim 5, wherein lateral movement of said harness and said mechanical fingers is achieved via instructions from said hierarchical controller and said mechanical controller.