Wrist device for use with a prosthetic limb

• US 7,144,430 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2003
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Motion Control, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motion Control, Inc.
• Inventors: Kunz, Steve R., Grant, Reed H., Sears, Harold H., Iversen, Edwin K., Archer, Shawn L., Linder, James R., Dyck, Arthur D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Application Number:
  US10/618,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20040015240A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• Field of Search: 623 61- 64, 623/47, 623/57, 403/93, 403/96, 403/97, 403/103, 901/29
• US Class Current: 623/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/585 Wrist joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5043 with rotation-limiting stops, e.g. projections or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6854 for locking or unlocking a joint
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/701 operated by electrically controlled means, e.g. solenoids or torque motors

Abstract

A wrist device is provided for use with a prosthetic limb. The wrist device includes a base plate that is configured for attachment to a prosthetic limb and a sliding lock plate that is slidably engaged with the base plate. Both the base plate and the sliding lock plate have openings. Also included in the invention is a semi-cylindrical rotator that is configured for attachment to a prosthetic hand. The semi-cylindrical rotator has slots configured to receive the sliding lock plate and is coupled to the base plate in a manner that allows the sliding lock plate to lock into the slots.

Claims

1. A wrist device for use with a prosthetic limb, comprising:

a base plate having an opening, the base plate being configured for attachment to a prosthetic limb;

a sliding lock plate having an opening, being slidably engaged with the base plate; and

a semi-cylindrical rotator with slots, wherein the semi-cylindrical rotator is configured for attachment to a prosthetic hand and coupled to the base plate in a manner that allows the sliding lock plate to lock into the slots, and wherein the semi-cylindrical rotator is positioned at least partially in the opening of the base plate and the opening of the sliding lock plate in order to minimize a height of the wrist device.

2. A wrist device for use with a prosthetic limb as in claim 1, further comprising:

a primary latch return spring coupled between the base plate and the sliding lock plate, wherein the primary latch return spring biases the sliding lock plate in a locked position; and

a cover plate having an opening configured to receive the semi-cylindrical rotator, the cover plate being coupled to the base plate in a manner that limits movement of the sliding lock plate.

3. A wrist device for use with a prosthetic limb as in claim 1, further comprising:

two supporting arms attached to the base plate; and

a pivot pin coupled to the supporting arms of the base plate and the rotator in order to allow rotation of the rotator.

4. A wrist device for use with a prosthetic limb as in claim 1, further comprising an opening in a central portion of the semi-cylindrical rotator.

5. A wrist device for use with a prosthetic limb as claimed in claim 4, further comprising wires routed through the opening in the base plate, the opening in the sliding lock plate, an opening in a cover plate, and the opening in the central portion of the semi-cylindrical rotator.

6. A wrist device for use with a prosthetic limb as claimed in claim 5, wherein the wires are wrapped around a neutral axis in a manner that reduces the effects of repetitive flexing of the wires.

7. A wrist device for use with a prosthetic limb as claimed in claim 5, wherein the wires are multi-strand wires that can withstand repetitive flexing.

8. A wrist device for use with a prosthetic limb as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding lock plate extends a full width of the wrist device.

9. A prosthetic device comprising:

a base plate having an opening, and being configured for attachment to a prosthetic arm;

a sliding lock plate slidably engaged to the base plate, the sliding lock plate having an opening; and

a semi-cylindrical rotator with slots, configured to have a rotation axis, perpendicular to an arm axis and configured for attachment to a prosthetic hand, wherein the semi-cylindrical rotator is coupled to the base plate in a manner that allows the sliding lock plate to lock into the slots of the semi-cylindrical rotator, and wherein the semi-cylindrical rotator is positioned at least partially in the opening of the base plate and the opening of the sliding lock plate in order to minimize a height of the wrist device.

10. A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

a lower mounting plate coupled to the base plate;

a cover plate coupled to the base plate;

a wrist quick disconnect unit coupled to the lower mounting plate;

an upper mounting plate coupled to the semi-cylindrical rotator; and

a mechanical hand coupled to the upper mounting plate.

11. A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a coax connector coupled to the wrist quick disconnect unit; and

a bundle of wires coupled to the coax connector and routed through the wrist disconnect unit, the lower mounting plate, the base plate, the sliding lock plate,

the semi-cylindrical rotator, the cover plate, and the upper mounting plate, and coupled to the mechanical hand.

12. A prosthetic joint, comprising:

a base plate configured for attachment to a prosthetic arm;

a locking rotator structure, wherein the locking rotator structure is rotatably attached to the base plate and includes a sliding lock plate and a semi-cylindrical rotator;

a prosthetic hand coupled to the semi-cylindrical rotator of the locking rotator structure; and

a torsional spring coupled to the base plate and to the prosthetic hand in a manner that enables the locking rotator structure to exhibit compliance in a flexion direction and an extension direction.

13. A prosthetic device configured for attachment to an amputee'"'"'s arm, comprising:

a prosthetic hand;

a locking wrist rotator structure, wherein the locking wrist rotator structure includes a sliding lock mechanism and a semi-cylindrical rotator with locking slots configured for engagement with the sliding lock mechanism;

a torsional spring coupled to the locking wrist rotator structure and to the prosthetic hand in a manner that allows the prosthetic hand to exhibit compliance in a flexion direction and an extension direction.