Wrist Innovations To Improve Function of Electric Terminal Devices

Abstract

A major challenge in the development of terminal device (TD) and UE prosthetic devices is to add to the functional benefits to the wearer, without greatly increasing the weight, or complexity, or the cost of the prosthesis. Using existing TD designs, the opportunity existed to increase the function by increasing the degree of freedom available at the wrist, in several ways. Since the existing hands and electric terminal devices (ETD) were both single degree-of-freedom TDs, improving the positionability of the TD can logically improve the gripping orientation and grip security. Our goal was therefore, to improve positionability of TDs via improved wrist flexion/extension devices, and an improved wrist rotation device, which could be added in a modular fashion to the existing MC Hand, and ETD already developed and used extensively in the field.