System and method for an advanced prosthetic hand
A system and method for creation and function of an advanced prosthetic hand includes: a base palm, comprising the primary body of the prosthetic hand; a set of actuating digits, wherein each actuating digit is connected to the palm; a sleeve, connected to the palm, providing an interface; a sensor system, comprising sensors integrated on a subset of the set of actuating digits; and a feedback system, connected to the sensor system enabling sensory feedback from the sensor system. In preferred variations, the base palm comprises, at least partially, a carbon-fiber shell. The system may further include a set of water sealing elements integrated into the prosthetic hand. The system functions as a hand prosthesis with actuating digit and hand components.
1. A system for an advanced prosthetic hand comprising:
a base palm, comprising the primary body of the prosthetic hand;
a set of actuating digits wherein each digit is connected to the base palm and where each actuating digit comprises:
a bone structure, and
malleable skin layer that is overmolded around the bone structure;
a sleeve, connecting the prosthetic hand to a prosthetic wearer;
a sensor system, comprising a set of sensors integrated on a subset of the set of actuating digits, wherein at least one sensor of the set of sensors is integrated into a bone structure, wherein the set of sensors comprises a set of Hall effect sensors and a set of magnets, wherein each magnet of the set of magnets is encased in the skin layer and displaced and aligned with a Hall effect sensor of the set of Hall effect sensors; and
and a feedback system, connected to the sensor system enabling sensory feedback from the sensor system.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein each actuating digit with integrated sensors comprises an actuating digit with a plurality of integrated sensors.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the feedback from the sensor system generates a reflex motion response.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the reflex motion response is to stop finger contraction.
5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the reflex motion response is a gripping response.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the set of sensors further comprises a set of barometric pressure sensors.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the feedback system comprises a plurality of electrodes.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor system is a multi-channel output sensor system that generates a multi-channel pulse feedback signal to the feedback system in response to activation of a subset of the set of sensors.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the multi-channel pulse feedback signal identifies the activated sensor and response magnitude of all activated sensors.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the feedback system comprises wet-dry electrodes integrated into the sleeve of the prosthetic hand.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the feedback system comprises sticky electrodes.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a set of water sealant elements.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the set of sensors further comprises force sensitive resistors.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the set of sensors further comprises at least one touch sensor.
15. A system for an advanced prosthetic hand comprising:
a base palm, comprising the primary body of the prosthetic hand;
a set of actuating digits wherein each digit is connected to the base palm and where each actuating digit comprises:
a bone structure with a compliant joint region and a passively flexible distal phalanx joint, and
malleable skin layer that is overmolded around the bone structure;
a sleeve, connecting the prosthetic hand to a prosthetic wearer;
a sensor system, comprising a set of sensors integrated on a subset of the set of actuating digits, wherein at least one sensor of the set of sensors is integrated into a bone structure near the passively flexible distal phalanx joint of at least one actuating digit, wherein the set of sensors comprises a set of Hall effect sensors and a set of magnets, wherein each magnet of the set of magnets is encased in the skin layer and displaced and aligned with a Hall effect sensor of the set of Hall effect sensors; and
a feedback system, connected to the sensor system enabling sensory feedback from the sensor system.