Browsing by Author "Lipschutz, Robert D."

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    A Novel Research And Clinical Approach To Using Gel Liners For Collection Of Surface Myoelectric Signals For Prosthetic Control
    (2011) Lipschutz, Robert D.; Lock, Blair A.
    For more than two decades, individuals with lower limb amputations have been successfully fitted with gel liners constructed from a variety of materials. Prosthetists have also reported moderate success with gel liners fit to individuals with upper limb amputations who use externally powered prostheses. At the Center for Bionic Medicine, we have explored a novel approach to collecting myoelectric signals from individuals with lower limb or upper limb amputations—using electrodes embedded in gel liners. Initial designs have proven more comfortable and easier to don than traditional suction sockets and have allowed us to eliminate the need for separate connection of pre-amplifiers. We believe this technology will be of benefit to individuals with upper or lower limb amputations and eliminate some of the clinical challenges and reported drawbacks of current myoelectric fittings. The next step is to combine the new liner technology with advanced electronics to control actuated drive units in both upper limb and lower limb prostheses. In this contribution we describe the evolution of this liner technology from initial experiences through current status to future directions.
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    CAPTURING SHOULDER MOTION AS AN INPUT FOR EXTERNALLY-POWERED, SHOULDER DISARTICULATION PROSTHESES
    (2008) Lipschutz, Robert D.; Sensinger, Jonathan; Lock, Blair; Kuiken, Todd A.
    Prosthetists have been fitting externally-powered components to individuals with “shoulder disarticulation”, upper extremity amputations for decades. These components have ranged from momentary contact switches that permitted carbon-dioxide to pass through tubes in order to create an articulating motion, to force sensitive resistors (FSRs) that vary the amount of resistance between thin conductive plates in order to permit varied current to flow and provide input to an electrical motor. Activation of these types of inputs requires contact by the user with their remaining residual limb or, in the case of individuals with congenital deficiencies, phocomelic digits. A variety of pull switches have also been used to harness the body motions provided by the user, which activate an electro-mechanical switch used to drive a motor. With the use of coupled rotary potentiometers, the authors have chosen to investigate a unique approach to ipsilateral shoulder motion as a control source for two degrees of freedom.
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    Forequarter Prosthesis With Interchangeable Elbow, Forearm, And Hand
    (1999) Lipschutz, Robert D.
    Fitting of individuals with forequarter amputations is often a challenging and fruitless effort. In order to provide optimum function for the patient, it is necessary to fit these individuals with either externally powered prostheses or hybrid prosthetic designs. These prostheses are often times heavy and bulky and are not accepted by the patients for full time wear. There exists another population of individuals with forequarter amputations that are more interested in the cosmetic restoration of the prosthesis rather than its functional capabilities. Passive prostheses are typically fabricated for these patients in order to fulfill their particular desire. In an effort to increase acceptance and wearing time, the prosthetic design being discussed in this paper is an attempt to meet both criteria: provide function and acceptable cosmetics. By utilizing existing components, this prosthetic design enables the user to readily switch from a heavier, externally poweted prosthesis to a lightweight, passive prosthesis.
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    Hybrid Transradial Prosthesis For A Complete Brachial Plexus Injury: A Case Study
    (1997) Lipschutz, Robert D.
    The gentleman in this case study presents with the typical etiology of a brachial plexus injury, status post motorcycle accident. The accident occurred several years ago with surgical intervention including a shoulder allograft and arthrodesis as well as a transradial amputation. Because of the presence of a complete brachial plexus injury it is difficult to decipher the rationale behind a transradial amputation. Many of us have fit individuals who had suffered these type of injuries and have opted for transhumeral amputations. Difficulty arises from attempting to accommodate the non-functional articulation, namely the elbowjoint. Past prosthetic fittings have been with a conventional, elbow disarticulation style prosthesis with external locking hinges and voluntary opening terminal device. Due to the limited excursion of this gentleman and his wear on the contralateral shoulder for these many years, it was time to consider a different prosthetic design The design consideration was to utilize some of the components that he presently functions with and to add electronic components which require limited excursion and strength in order to operate.
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    Methods For Collecting Myoelectric Signals From Individuals With Lower Limb Amputations
    (2011) Lipschutz, Robert D.; Daley, Heather
    Technological advancements in lower limb prostheses have resulted in actuated motors in both knees and ankles. Currently, these components are controlled by information measured from various electromechanical sensors attached to the prosthesis. Our aim is to enhance the control information provided to powered prosthetic components by including input from the user via interpreted myoelectric signals (MESs). To extract useful control information, it is imperative that consistent, high-quality MESs be collected from patients each time they don the socket. In this work, we present approaches to maintaining consistent electrode placements on individuals with transfemoral and transtibial amputations during static non-weight-bearing conditions and dynamic weight-bearing activities. Our results show that a variety of methods, similar to those used in upper limb fittings, may be used to collect high-quality MESs during static non-weight-bearing conditions. MES collection during dynamic weight-bearing activities is more challenging. The type, size, shape, and placement of electrodes must be carefully chosen to maintain contact with the skin without compromising comfort during weight-bearing activity.
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    Simple Solutions For A Complex Problem: Variations Of A Transradial Myoelectric Prosthetic Design
    (1995) Lipschutz, Robert D.
    The prosthetic design being discussed is that of a tanstadial myoelectric, dual site-dual control system, The residual limb is, in this case, not the factor for variance of pi osthetic design, however, it is other extenuating circumstances that resulted from a fairly common surgical procedure. The patient fitted with this prosthesis was scheduled for a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), better known as the "cabbage procedure" In the weeks subsequent to this CABG the patient became a quadrimembral amputee.
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    Suction Socket Fitting For An Electronic Prosthesis Utilizing The Transhumeral Flex-Seal: A Case Study
    (1997) Lipschutz, Robert D.
    Suction sockets for transfemoral prostheses have been in existence for many years but, individuals with upper extremity amputations have only recently been re-introduced to such advancements in prosthetic fittings. The gentleman in this case study has been wearing a transhumeral cable driven prosthesis for many years with some past experience using myoeleetric systems, both transradial and transhumeral. He presented, after researching component options quite well, asking fora myoelectric transhumeral prosthesis with electric elbow, wrist rotator, hand and hook terminal device. Most of the components had already been chosen, however, he requested the design of the prosthesis be such that he would not require a harness for suspension. This is where the challenge began. A variety of socket designs were attempted using conventional means of donning suction sockets. After several fittings and discarded designs, the Flex-Seal became the solution to a difficult request.