Biomedical finger assembly for use with capacitive panels
A prosthetic digit usable with capacitive panels is provided. The digit includes at least one conductive layer surrounding the body of the digit, and a non-conductive sealing layer around the conductive layer preventing direct external contact of the conductive layer with the capacitive panel. The digit may have a conductive tip pad to create a series capacitive pathway between the conductive layer of the body and the electrodes of the capacitive panel. Using the digit with a capacitive panel does not require a direct conductive pathway, e.g., a pathway between the capacitive panel and the structure of the device, the user's skin, or metallic sink.
1. A prosthetic digit for use with a capacitive panel, the prosthetic digit comprising:
a body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the body is configured to replace a portion of a natural digit, and wherein the body is removably couplable to a residuum of a user at the proximal end portion;
a conductive layer at least partially covering the body;
an insulating layer encapsulating the conductive layer; and
a conductive tip removably couplable to the distal end portion of the body, wherein the conductive tip is configured to interface with the capacitive panel during use,
wherein, when the conductive tip is in proximity to the capacitive panel, a series capacitive pathway from the conductive tip to the conductive layer alters the capacitance of the capacitive panel.
2. The prosthetic digit of claim 1 , wherein:
the body comprises a proximal body portion and a distal body portion pivotably coupled to the proximal body portion;
the conductive layer comprises a first conductive layer disposed on the distal body portion;
the insulating layer comprises a first insulating layer; and
the prosthetic digit further comprises—
a second conductive layer disposed on and at least partially covering the proximal body portion; and
a second insulating layer encapsulating the second conductive layer and electrically insulating the second conductive layer from the first conductive layer.
3. The prosthetic digit of claim 1 , wherein the conductive tip is electrically insulated from the conductive layer.
4. The prosthetic digit of claim 1 , wherein the conductive tip comprises a conductive silicone, conductive elastomer, conductive polymer, conductive film, conductive paper, conductive fabric, or metal.
5. The prosthetic digit of claim 1 , wherein a proximal body portion is substantially cylindrical and defines an inner cavity.
6. The prosthetic digit of claim 1 , wherein the insulating layer comprises a non-conductive primer layer and a non-conductive paint layer atop the non-conductive primer layer.
7. The prosthetic digit of claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer comprises a conductive plating, conductive film, conductive paint, conductive primer, conductive adhesive, conductive vapor deposition coating, or conductive ink.
8. The prosthetic digit of claim 1 , further comprising a fairing couplable to the body.
9. A prosthetic digit for use with a capacitive panel, the prosthetic digit comprising:
a proximal body removably couplable to a residuum of a finger of a user;
a distal body pivotably coupled to the proximal body, wherein the proximal body and distal body are configured to replace a portion of a natural digit;
a first conductive layer surrounding the distal body;
a second conductive layer surrounding the proximal body; and
an insulating layer encapsulating one of the first or second conductive layers,
wherein, when the distal body is in proximity to the capacitive panel, the first and second conductive layers are configured to alter the capacitance thereof.
10. The prosthetic digit of claim 9 , further comprising a conductive distal tip portion operably couplable to the distal body, wherein—
the conductive distal tip portion is insulated from the first conductive layer;
the conductive distal tip portion is configured to interface with the capacitive panel during use; and
a series capacitive pathway from the conductive tip to the first conductive layer alters the capacitance of the capacitive panel.
11. The prosthetic digit of claim 10 , wherein the conductive distal tip portion comprises a conductive silicone, conductive elastomer, conductive polymer, conductive film, conductive paper, conductive fabric, or metal.
12. The prosthetic digit of claim 9 , wherein the proximal body is substantially cylindrical and defines an inner cavity.
13. The prosthetic digit of claim 9 , wherein the insulating layer comprises a first insulating layer, and wherein the prosthetic digit further comprises a second insulating layer at least partially encapsulating the other of the first or second conductive layers with respect to the first insulating layer and electrically insulating the second conductive layer from the first conductive layer.
14. The prosthetic digit of claim 9 , wherein the insulating layer comprises a non-conductive primer layer and a non-conductive paint layer atop the non-conductive primer layer.
15. The prosthetic digit of claim 9 , wherein the first and second conductive layers comprise a conductive plating, conductive film, conductive paint, conductive primer, conductive adhesive, conductive vapor deposition coating, or conductive ink.
16. The prosthetic digit of claim 9 , further comprising a fairing couplable to the proximal and distal bodies.
17. A method of manufacturing a prosthetic digit for use with a capacitive panel, the method comprising:
obtaining a body removably couplable to a residuum of a finger of a user, wherein the body is configured to replace a portion of a natural digit;
applying a conductive layer to at least a portion of a surface of the body; and
applying an insulating layer atop the conductive layer such that the conductive layer is fully surrounded by the insulating layer and not exposed for conductive electrical contact with the capacitive panel,
wherein the conductive layer is configured to alter the capacitance of the capacitive panel when the body is in proximity to the capacitive panel.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising operably coupling a conductive distal tip to the body, wherein the conductive distal tip is insulated from the conductive layer, and wherein the conductive distal tip is configured to interface with the capacitive panel during use and form a series capacitive pathway from the conductive tip to the conductive layer to alter the capacitance of the capacitive panel.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein:
the body comprises a proximal body portion and a distal body portion pivotably coupled to the proximal body portion;
the conductive layer comprises a first conductive layer disposed on the distal body portion;
the insulating layer comprises a first insulating layer; and
wherein the method further comprises—
applying a second conductive layer to surfaces of the proximal body portion; and
applying a second insulating layer atop the second conductive layer to electrically insulate the second conductive layer from the first conductive layer.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein applying the insulating layer comprises applying a non-conductive primer layer and then applying a non-conductive paint layer atop the non-conductive primer layer.
21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the conductive layer comprises a conductive plating, conductive film, conductive paint, conductive primer, conductive adhesive, conductive vapor deposition coating, or conductive ink.