Prosthetic digit for use with touchscreen devices

1. 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 prosthetic hand, the digit member having a digit tip which is remote from the base member;

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;

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.

2. The method of claim 1 , 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.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

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

at least partially covering an adjacent portion of the at least one digit member with a second conductive substance of the at least one conductive substance, wherein the first and second conductive substances define the conductive path.

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

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

forming first and second digit members of the at least one digit member, 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; and

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.

6. The method of claim 5 , 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 a second end of the conductive wire to the motor casing.

7. 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 prosthetic hand, the digit member having a digit tip which is remote from the base member;

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;

forming first and second digit members of the at least one digit member, 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; and

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.

8. The method of claim 7 , 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.

9. The method of claim 7 , 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.

10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the steps of:

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

at least partially covering an adjacent portion of the at least one digit member with a second conductive substance of the at least one conductive substance, wherein the first and second conductive substances define the conductive path.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first conductive substance is a conductive adhesive, and the second conductive substance is a conductive paint.

12. The method of claim 7 , 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 a second end of the conductive wire to the motor casing.

13. 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 prosthetic hand, the digit member having a digit tip which is remote from the base member;

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;

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; and

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

14. The method of claim 13 , 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.

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

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

at least partially covering an adjacent portion of the at least one digit member with a second conductive substance of the at least one conductive substance, wherein the first and second conductive substances define the conductive path.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first conductive substance is a conductive adhesive, and the second conductive substance is a conductive paint.

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

forming first and second digit members of the at least one digit member, 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; and

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.

18. The method of claim 17 , 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 a second end of the conductive wire to the motor casing.