Prosthetic digit for use with touchscreen devices

• US 9,999,522 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2015
• Issued: 06/19/2018
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Watkins, Marcia
• Application Number:
  US15/120,784
• Publication Number:
  US 20170007424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• 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 for implantable joints A61F2002/30624
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5072 having spring elements spring-biased locking means A61F2002/30505; for implantable joints A61F2002/30565; other elastic means A61F2002/5007
• 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;

a first of at least two digit members pivotably connected to the base member, the first digit member comprising a motor comprising electrical contacts; and

a second of the at least two digit members

wherein the second digit member has a digit tip remote from the base member, and the second 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 and which path is in electrical contact with one of the electrical contacts of the motor.

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

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

3. The digit of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductive substance includes a first conductive substance and a second conductive substance directly adjacent the first conductive substance, the first and second conductive substances defining a portion of the conductive path.

4. The digit of claim 3, wherein the first conductive substance is a conductive adhesive, and the second conductive substance is a conductive paint.

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

a base member attachable to the hand;

a first of at least two digit members pivotably connected to the base member, and a second of the at least two digit members a digit tip remote from the base member, and being at least partially covered with 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, the cover comprising at least one conductive substance which defines a conductive path which leads from the digit tip towards the base member, to an electrical contact of a motor contained within the first digit member

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.

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

a base member attachable to the hand;

a first of at least two digit members pivotably connected to the base member; and

a second of the at least two digit members pivotably connected to the first digit member;

wherein the second of the at least two digit members has a digit tip remote from the base member, and the second 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, and;

wherein the digit for the prosthetic hand further comprises 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;

and wherein the biasing member extends the conductive path from the second digit member to an electrical contact of a motor contained within the first digit member.

7. The digit of claim 6, wherein the digit for the prosthetic hand is a powered digit and the motor is contained within a motor casing, and the digit for the prosthetic hand further comprising 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.