Browsing by Author "Heim, Winfried"

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    AN ELECTROMECHANICAL QUICK-CONNECT MECHANISM FOR MYOELECTRIC PROSTHESES USING SILICONE SLEEVES
    (2005) Wells, David; Al-Temen, Ihsan; Glasford, Shane; Heim, Winfried; Whatmough, Ian; Johnson, Bill; Chau, Gilbert
    A unique children’s upper-limb prosthesis prototype with an improved suspension and electronic interconnect has been developed. Silicone liners provide effective suspension for prostheses. However, they have been problematic for the upper extremity myoelectric application. Recently, we fit a child using a silicone liner and hardwired, remote electrodes. During this fitting, a number of challenges were encountered, including wire breakage, difficulty of electrode and wire attachment, and difficulty donning/doffing the prosthesis due to mechanical hindrance from the wires and the modifications made to accommodate them. Consequently, we developed an electromechanical quick-connect attachment. It enables the user to easily connect/disconnect the prosthetic shell and hand system to/from the liner, yet still provides for the mechanical suspension/connection between liner and prosthesis and provides for the electrical connection of sensor electrodes with control electronics. For adults and children with upper-extremity limb loss, this development makes the use of silicone sleeve systems more practical.
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    Programmable Control: Clinical Experience At Bloorview MacMillan Centre
    (1999) Kurtz, Isaac; Heim, Winfried; Bauer-Hume, Heidi; Hubbard, Sheila; Ramdial, Sandra
    Advances in microprocessor technology in recent years have led to the introduction of programmable control systems for powered prosthetics. These systems allow amputees to try a variety of control schemes and choose the one that suits them best. Prosthetists, no longer limited to preprogrammed control schemes, can devise new schemes that are suited for the amputee's individual needs. Over the past few years, Bloorview MacMillan Centre has fit approximately 20 clients with programmable control systems. A retrospective analysis of this group, which includes amputation levels fiom below-elbow to shoulder disarticulation, demonstrates the benefits this approach. The benefits fall into four general categories: 1) evolution of the control system as the user's needs and abilities change, 2) the amputee's ability to choose their own preferred strategy, 3) accommodation of abnormal and noisy signals and 4) ability to accommodate high-level amputees. This paper will summarize our clinical experience with programmable control. Case studies illustrating this approach and its various benefits will be presented.
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    The Applications Of Alternative Controls For Powered Upper Extremity Prosthetics
    (1994) Sethna, Fram; Bush, Greg; Heim, Winfried; Wierzba, Sol; Antczak, Jerzy
    Currently, non-myoelectric controls for electro-mechanical prosthetic components include pull switches, rocker switches, harness pull switches, push-button switches, touch pad actuators (Universal Artificial Limb), touch switches (Steeper), and momentary contact switches. Often these control systems prove to be invaluable Yet, at the same time, their incorporation into a prosthesis often results in a cosmetically unappealing prosthesis. Furthermore, in certain situations the client may be restricted in range of motion due to soft tissue damage, extensive scarring, or other related problems which limit effective performance of conventional controls Recent experience shows that the application of Force Sensing Resistor's (FSRs) and Capacitive Touch Controls (CTCs) in prosthetics presently have specffic use. An increased awareness of possible applications of FSR and CTC technology is anticipated to spark new and innovative applications in the fields of prosthetics and orthotics.