PROSTHETIC DIGIT FOR USE WITH TOUCHSCREEN DEVICES

• US 20170007424A1
• Filed: 02/06/2015
• Published: 01/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Touch Bionics Limited (Ossur hf)
• Original Assignee: Touch Bionics Limited (Ossur hf)
• Inventors: GILL, Hugh
• Granted Patent: US 9,999,522 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/586 Fingers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/70 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5038 Hinged joint, e.g. with transverse axle restricting the movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5072 having spring elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/701 operated by electrically controlled means, e.g. solenoids or torque motors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2240/001 Designing or manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers

Abstract

A digit for a prosthetic hand is provided. The digit has a base member (12) attachable to the hand and at least one digit member (18) pivotably connected to the base member. The at least one digit member (18) has a digit tip (22) remote from the base member (12), and the digit member is at least partially covered with at least one conductive substance (26,40) which defines a conductive path which leads from the digit tip towards the base member. A method of manufacturing such a digit is also provided.

Claims

1. A digit for a prosthetic hand, the digit comprising:

a base member attachable to the hand; and

at least one digit member pivotably connected to the base member;

wherein the at least one digit member has a digit tip remote from the base member, and the digit member is at least partially covered with at least one conductive substance which defines a conductive path which leads from the digit tip towards the base member.

2. The digit of claim 1, further comprising a cover adapted to fit over at least the digit tip, the cover having a cover tip which lies over the digit tip when the cover is in place, wherein the cover tip includes at least one aperture extending through the cover, and the at least one conductive substance is provided on an exterior of the cover tip and within the at least one aperture such that it defines part of the conductive path from the exterior of the cover tip to the digit tip.

3. The digit of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductive substance is selected from the group comprising:

a conductive adhesive, a conductive paint and a conductive coating.

4. The digit of claim 1, wherein the digit tip is at least partially covered with a first conductive substance, and an adjacent portion of the at least one digit member is at least partially covered with a second conductive substance, the first and second conductive substances defining the conductive path.

5. The digit of claim 4, wherein the first conductive substance is a conductive adhesive, and the second conductive substance is a conductive paint.

6. The digit of claim 1, further comprising:

a first digit member pivotably connected to the base member;

a second digit member pivotably connected to the first digit member, the second digit member including the digit tip at a remote end thereof; and

a biasing member having a first end connected to the first digit member and a second end connected to the second digit member, the biasing member biasing the second digit member towards substantial alignment with the first digit member;

wherein the at least one conductive substance is provided on the second digit member, and the biasing member extends the conductive path from the second digit member to the first digit member.

7. The digit of claim 6, wherein the digit is a powered digit and further comprises a motor contained within a motor casing, and a conductive wire having a first end connected to the first end of the biasing member, and a second end connected to the motor casing.

8. A method of manufacturing a digit for a prosthetic hand, the method comprising the steps of:

pivotably connecting at least one digit member to a base member which is attachable to the hand, the digit member having a digit tip which is remote from the base member; and

at least partially covering the at least one digit member with at least one conductive substance which defines a conductive path which leads from the digit tip towards the base member.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

providing a cover to cover at least the digit tip, the cover having a cover tip which lies over the digit tip when in use;

forming at least one aperture in the cover tip such that the aperture extends through the cover;

inserting a portion of the at least one conductive substance into the at least one aperture such that the conductive substance is provided on an exterior of the cover tip and within the at least one aperture; and

fitting the cover over the digit tip, such that the at least one conductive substance defines part of the conductive path from the exterior of the cover tip to the digit tip.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one conductive substance is selected from the group comprising:

a conductive adhesive, a conductive paint, a conductive coating and a conductive film.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

at least partially covering the digit tip with a first conductive substance;

at least partially covering an adjacent portion of the at least one digit member with a second conductive substance;

wherein the first and second conductive substances define the conductive path.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first conductive substance is a conductive adhesive, and the second conductive substance is a conductive paint.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

forming first and second digit members, wherein the second digit member includes the digit tip at a remote end thereof and the at least one conductive substance is provided on the second digit member;

pivotably connecting the first digit member to the base member;

pivotably connecting the second digit member to the first digit member;

connecting a first end of a biasing member to the first digit member and a second end of the biasing member to the second digit member, such that the biasing member biases the second digit member towards substantial alignment with the first digit member, and the biasing member extends the conductive path from the second digit member to the first digit member.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

providing the digit with a motor contained within a motor casing;

connecting a first end of a conductive wire to the first end of the biasing member; and

connecting the second end of the conductive wire to the motor casing.