GB590776A - Improvements connected with artificial limbs or parts thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

590,776. Artificial limbs. BENSON, B. S. March 2, 1944, Nos. 3951 and 13343. [Class 81 (ii)] An artificial arm or part thereof, including a hand portion having fingers formed in movable parts, is provided wherein the movable parts of all the fingers together or of each finger separately are actuated by movements of the forward part of the foot including the toes of the wearer. Individual fingers have their movable parts operable by movements of individual toes, and the hand portion is actuated by movement of the ankle. In the joints of the articulated fingers (Fig. 1) reside strips 4 and inflatable bulbs or bags 3 which are connected by flexible tubings 5 to hollow compressible pads 6 one of which is arranged under each toe 7, so that the depression of any toe forces fluid from the pad to expand the bulbs in the joints of a particular finger causing the sections thereof to turn about their pivotal joints. Where the upper limb includes an articulated wrist, the latter may be endowed with an up and down and/or turning movement effected by compression and release of suitably placed pads by movements of the ankle and/or heel. Mechanical or electrical means or combinations of these either separately or in combination with hydraulic (or pneumatic) means may be used; for example, in mechanical operation traction or Bowden wires, plates, pads and plungers may be employed and for electro-mechanical operation small electric relays or electro-magnets may be incorporated in the artificial limb. The actuating means may be rendered inoperative by fitting a valve, switch or its equivalent in the circuit. The return movements of all the movable parts can be effected by spring means.