CN117979924A - Prosthesis with interchangeable internal collet - Google Patents

Abstract

An actively closed and locked prosthetic terminal device (1) having a complex internal mechanism configured as an interchangeable cartridge (10), the interchangeable cartridge (10) enabling the end user to self-service the prosthesis.

Description

Prosthesis with interchangeable internal collet

Technical Field

The present invention relates to prostheses and more particularly to an active (locking) closure and locking prosthetic hand/hook, also known as a termination device, having a complex internal mechanism configured as interchangeable collets that enable the end user to self-service the prosthesis.

Background

Prosthetic hands/hooks, also known as end devices, are artificial devices used to replace a missing body part and intended to restore normal function to the missing body part. For example, body-driven (body powered) bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal devices replace the grip and hold function of the lost hand. Body-driven or cable-operated hooks work by attaching a wire harness and cable around opposing shoulders of the damaged arm. The user may then actuate the opening and/or closing of the bifurcated hook by moving their opposing shoulders.

There are two types of body-driven prosthetic bifurcation hooks, actively-open "pull-open" and actively-closed "pull-close". Almost all "bifurcated hook" like prostheses operate with active open systems. The user of the active opening system relies on a simple design that employs an elastic band to obtain the clamping force, while the user of the active closing system relies on the user applying tension to obtain the clamping force. The active closure terminal device may be designed to lock closed, allowing the user to hold an object without constant force input. Locking the active closure system is a better prosthetic end device but is not widely used due to the significant initial costs and more important maintenance costs. When the locking system on the user's active closure fails, the user must typically transport the prosthesis to a professional who can repair the internal components. This is an expensive item and allows the user to have no prosthesis for days or weeks.

Accordingly, there is a need for a prosthesis hook having a complex internal mechanism configured as interchangeable collets that enable the end user to self-service the prosthesis.

Related prior art includes the following references:

Disclosure of Invention

The main object of the present invention is to provide a prosthetic hook with a complex internal mechanism configured as interchangeable collets that enable the end user to self-service the prosthetic end device.

The present invention achieves the above and other objects by providing a bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device of an active closure and locking system in which the generally complex internal mechanism has been replaced by an interchangeable component cartridge that is easily interchangeable with one hand. The interchangeable component collet configuration allows for the added benefit of centering the cable support arm on the housing, thereby enabling the use of the prosthetic termination device on either the right or left arm.

The above objects, features and advantages, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Drawings

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an open housing of the bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device of the present invention with the collet removed from the housing;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the collet of the bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device of the present invention; and

Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of a collet inserted into the housing of the bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device of the present invention.

Detailed Description

For the purpose of describing the preferred embodiments, the terms used with reference to the attached components given reference numbers in the drawings are as follows:

1. generally bifurcated hook-shaped prosthetic termination device

2. Shell body

3. Base seat

4. Cover for a container

5. Stud bolt

6. First finger element

7. Second finger element

8. Bifurcation hook

9. Key socket connection point

10. Cable support arm member

11. Top edge of the housing

12. Bottom edge of the housing

13. Concave part with circular shape

14. Shaft

15. Constant force spring

16. Cable arm support member

17. Second finger support member

18. Joining device

19. Clamping head

20. First rod

21. Second rod

22. Locking mechanism

23. Friction bar

24. Friction pad

25. Semicircular locking cam

26. Pin

Referring to fig. 1, there is shown a top view of a bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device 1 of the present invention. The bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device 1 includes a housing 2 having a base 3 and a cover 4. A stud 5 for mounting the bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device 1 extends from the proximal end of the base 3, and first and second fingers 6, 7 forming a bifurcated hook 8 extend from the distal end of the base 3. The stud 5 is preferably molded into and/or integrated into the base, so that the stud 5 and the base 3 form a single unit. The fingers 6 and 7 preferably have keyed socket connection points 9 connecting the housing 2 and the second finger support member 17 to allow the fingers 6, 7 to rotate.

The cable support arm 10 extends from the cable arm support member 16 and is centered between the top edge 11 of the cover 4 and the bottom edge 12 of the base 3. The centered position of the cable support arm 10 allows the bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device 1 to be ambidextrous and worn on either the right or left arm. This is in contrast to conventional active closure furcation hook designs, which have offset cable support arms, limiting each device to either a right-hand device or a left-hand device.

Referring to fig. 2, there is shown a top perspective view of the open housing 2 of the bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device 1 of the present invention, with the collet 19 removed from the housing 2.

The inner part of the base 3 of the housing 2 forms a circular shaped recess 13, which circular shaped recess 13 has a shaft 14 centered therein. The shaft 14 supports a constant force spring 15, such as a flat coil spring or torsion spring. The cable arm support member 16 is supported by the shaft 14 within the circular shaped recess 13 above the constant force spring 15. The cable arm support member 16 supports the cable support arm 10 as shown in fig. 1. The cable arm support member 16 and the second finger support member 17 are support brackets for the collet 19. The second finger support member 17 supports the second finger 7, which second finger 7 can be actuated by the cable support arm 10 when the collet 19 is inserted, as shown in fig. 1.

The cable arm support member 16 and the second finger support member 17 are each rotatable about the axis 14, allowing each to rotate and actuate the second finger 7 when the cable support arm 10 is actuated.

One or more engagement means 18, such as mirror image contours, channels, slots, ridges, tabs, etc., are located on the interior surfaces of the cable arm support member 16 and the second finger support member 17.

Referring to fig. 3, there is shown a top perspective view of collet 19 of bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device 1 of the present invention. The collet 19 comprises a first rod 20 and a second rod 21, the first rod 20 and the second rod 21 each being attached to a U-shaped locking mechanism 22, the U-shaped locking mechanism 22 being slidably attached to a curved friction bar 23. The U-shaped locking mechanism 22 consists of a friction pad 24 and a semicircular locking cam 25. The semi-circular locking cam 25 pivots on pin 26 and engages a curved friction bar to lock the device in the closed position. After the cable support arm 10 has been actuated to close the furcation hook 8, the components of the collet 19 help to hold the furcation hook 8 in the locked and gripping position.

One or more engagement means 18, such as mirror image contours, channels, grooves, ridges, tabs, etc., are located on the outer surfaces of the first and second bars 20, 21 to engage the cable arm support member 16 and the second finger support member 17.

Referring to fig. 4, there is shown a top perspective view of collet 19 inserted into cable arm support member 16 and second finger support member 17 of bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device 1 of the present invention. One or more engagement means 18, such as mirror image contours, channels, slots, ridges, tabs, etc., are located on the exterior surface of the first rod 20 and the exterior surface of the second rod 21 to engage the one or more engagement means 18 located on the interior surfaces of the cable arm support member 16 and the second finger support member 17. The collet 19 and its components are used to hold the cable arm support member 16 and the second finger support member 17 in a temporary locking position to grasp an object.

It should be understood that while the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims (10)

1. A bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device, the bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device comprising:

A housing having a base and a cover;

A stud for mounting the bifurcated hooked prosthetic terminal device, the stud extending from a proximal end of the housing;

first and second fingers extending from a distal end of the housing and forming a bifurcated hook;

a cable support arm extending from the housing;

An inner portion of the housing forming a circularly shaped recess having an axis centered therein;

The shaft and circular shaped recess supporting a constant force spring located below the cable arm support member and the second finger support member;

A collet insertable into the cable arm support member and second finger support member; and

The collet has at least two components for holding the cable arm support member and the second finger support member in a temporary locking position.

2. The bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device of claim 1, further wherein:

The collet includes a first rod and a second rod that are each attached to a U-shaped mechanism that is slidably attached to a curved friction bar.

3. The bifurcated hook-shaped prosthetic terminal device of claim 1, the bifurcated hook-shaped prosthetic terminal device further comprising:

At least one engagement means located on an interior surface of the first finger support member;

at least one engagement means on an interior surface of the second finger support member; and

At least one engagement means on an exterior surface of the collet engaging the cable arm support member and the second finger support member.

4. The bifurcated hook-shaped prosthetic terminal device of claim 2, the bifurcated hook-shaped prosthetic terminal device further comprising:

at least one engagement means located on an interior surface of the cable arm support member;

at least one engagement means on an interior surface of the second finger support member; and

At least one engagement means on an exterior surface of the collet engaging the cable arm support member and the second finger support member.

5. The bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device of claim 1, further wherein:

the cable arm support member is centered between a top edge of the cover and a bottom edge of the base.

6. A bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device, the bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device comprising:

A housing having a base and a cover;

A stud for mounting the bifurcated hooked prosthetic terminal device, the stud extending from a proximal end of the housing;

first and second fingers extending from a distal end of the housing and forming a bifurcated hook;

a cable support arm extending from the housing;

An inner portion of the housing forming a circularly shaped recess having an axis centered therein;

The shaft and circular shaped recess supporting a constant force spring located below the cable arm support member and the second finger support member;

A collet insertable into the circularly shaped recess;

The collet has at least two components for holding the cable arm support member and the second finger support member in a temporary locking position; and

The collet includes a first rod and a second rod that are each attached to a U-shaped locking mechanism that is slidably attached to a curved friction bar.

7. The bifurcated hook-shaped prosthetic terminal device of claim 6, the bifurcated hook-shaped prosthetic terminal device further comprising:

at least one engagement means located on an interior surface of the cable arm support member;

at least one engagement means on an interior surface of the second finger support member; and

At least one engagement means on an exterior surface of the collet engaging the cable arm support member and the second finger support member.

8. The bifurcated hook-like prosthetic end device of claim 6, further wherein:

the cable arm support member is centered between a top edge of the cover and a bottom edge of the base.

9. A bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device, the bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device comprising:

A housing having a base and a cover;

A stud for mounting the bifurcated hooked prosthetic terminal device, the stud extending from a proximal end of the housing;

first and second fingers extending from a distal end of the housing and forming a bifurcated hook;

a cable support arm member extending from the housing;

An inner portion of the housing forming a circularly shaped recess having an axis centered therein;

The shaft and circular shaped recess supporting a constant force spring located below the cable arm support member and the second finger support member;

A collet insertable into the circularly shaped recess;

The collet has at least two components for holding the cable arm support member and the second finger support member in a temporary locking position;

The collet includes a first rod and a second rod, each attached to a U-shaped locking mechanism slidably attached to a curved friction bar;

at least one engagement means located on an interior surface of the cable arm support member;

at least one engagement means on an interior surface of the second finger support member; and

At least one engagement means on an exterior surface of the collet engaging the cable arm support member and the second finger support member.

10. The bifurcated hook-like prosthetic terminal device of claim 9, further wherein:

the cable arm support member is centered between a top edge of the cover and a bottom edge of the base.