Abstract:
The third generation of the fluidic hand currently is in the process of clinical
trial. The new hand combines functionality and cosmesis. It has the natural shape
of a human hand and multiple new functions. The grasping operation is built in an
adaptive way according to the biological example. This means that objects are
enclosed with positive locking. The big contact area and soft passive elements
considerably reduce the grasping force required to hold an object securely. Starting
from a natural basic hand position, all actuators can be controlled individually by
two myoelectrodes in the socket. The software allows for a quick selection of the
most important grasping patterns. Besides the multifunctional control, features of
the new hand like the force feedback system which gives the patient a sense of
feeling and operation of a (computer) keyboard with the index will be depicted.
