Conductive patch for control of prosthetic limbs
First Claim
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1. A myoelectric control device, comprising:
- a silicone pad of soft, flexible construction;
said silicone pad being bonded to an interior surface of a silicone liner that provides a non-slip interface between a residual limb and a prosthesis socket;
a window formed in said silicone liner to enable attachment of control electrodes to said silicone pad;
said silicone pad having a plurality of electrically conductive contacts embedded in a non-conductive silicone matrix;
said electrically conductive contacts being made of a silicone/conductor mixture;
said electrically conductive contacts being arranged in a grid pattern throughout said silicone pad; and
each of said electrically conductive contacts having a low resistivity for detecting low strength myoelectric signals;
whereby said electrically conductive contacts collectively supply signals that may be employed to control movements of a prosthetic hand.
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Abstract
Myoelectric control of a prosthetic limb is achieved by positioning a soft, flexible pad on the interior surface of a liner and embedding a large plurality of electrically conductive contacts within the pad. A window is cut in the liner to enable attachment of limb control electrodes to the pad. The pad has a low resistivity so that the individual contacts detect very low myoelectric signals. In a preferred embodiment, about forty thousand contacts, each of which is surrounded by non-conductive silicone, are positioned in a one inch square area. The number of signals produced enables the development of highly versatile prosthetic limbs.
60 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A myoelectric control device, comprising:
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a silicone pad of soft, flexible construction; said silicone pad being bonded to an interior surface of a silicone liner that provides a non-slip interface between a residual limb and a prosthesis socket; a window formed in said silicone liner to enable attachment of control electrodes to said silicone pad; said silicone pad having a plurality of electrically conductive contacts embedded in a non-conductive silicone matrix; said electrically conductive contacts being made of a silicone/conductor mixture; said electrically conductive contacts being arranged in a grid pattern throughout said silicone pad; and each of said electrically conductive contacts having a low resistivity for detecting low strength myoelectric signals; whereby said electrically conductive contacts collectively supply signals that may be employed to control movements of a prosthetic hand. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification