Abstract: A hand prosthesis (15) including a hand chassis (15), a thumb member (22) mounted on the hand chassis for rotation of the thumb member in relation to the hand chassis about an axis extending generally along the length of the thumb member, a motor (64) disposed on one of the hand chassis and the thumb member, the motor being operable to drive a worm (56) and a worm gear wheel (54) disposed on the other of the hand chassis and the thumb member, the worm being in engagement with the worm gear wheel such that, upon operation of the motor, the thumb member rotates in relation to the hand chassis.

Abstract: A prosthesis (1) or an orthosis and method of operating the same. The prosthesis or orthosis comprising a moveable component (2), a motor (7) operable to move the component, wherein the motor has at least one operating parameter, the application of which to the motor results in the component having at least one operating condition; and an electronic device (28) operable to: determine at least one operating parameter of the motor and determine at least one instantaneous operating condition of the component from a predetermined operating profile of the motor and component and the determined at least one operating parameter of the motor, the predetermined operating profile of the motor and component being based on one or more operating parameter inputs to the motor and one or more resulting operating condition outputs of the component.

Abstract: A prosthesis (1) or an orthosis and a method of controlling movable components (3) of the same. The prosthesis or orthosis comprising a plurality of movable components, each component being movable by a respective motor (7) and a control device operative to determine when movement of at least a first component is arrested when the at least first component bears against a surface; and to move one or more further components by means of respective one or more further motors so that each subsequent component is moved upon determination that the movement of the preceding component is arrested when the preceding component bears against a surface.

Abstract: A prosthetic device control apparatus and method of controlling the same. The prosthetic device control apparatus (32) comprising an input interface (34) operable to receive input control signals and a detector (40) operable to determine if a prosthetic device (10) is operatively connected to the prosthetic device control apparatus, wherein the prosthetic device control apparatus is operable, responsive to the detector, to use the input control signals to control either a computer model (52) or movement of the operatively connected prosthetic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a covering (10) for a prosthetic hand. The covering (10) comprises a first layer (12) in the form of a glove or mitten configured to cover a prosthetic hand, with the first layer (12) comprising an elastomer. The covering (10) also comprises a second layer (14) disposed over at least part of a surface of the first layer (12), with the second layer being unitary and comprising polyurethane. At least one part of an interior surface of the first layer (12) is uncovered by the second layer (14).

Abstract: A prosthesis (1) for providing at least one mechanically operable digit member. The prosthesis (1) has at least one digit member (3) extending generally tangentially with respect to a fixed worm gear wheel means (5) on a support member of the prosthesis and mounted for rotation about the worm gear wheel means axis (8). The digit member has a drive motor (7) operable to drive a worm means (13). The worm means (13) is in engagement with the worm gear wheel means (5) so that when the drive motor is operated, in use of the prosthesis, the digit member (3) moves around the worm gear wheel means (5), in which the worm means (13) is disposed outwith the digit member (3).

Abstract: A hand prosthesis (15) including a hand chassis (15), a thumb member (22) mounted on the hand chassis for rotation of the thumb member in relation to the hand chassis about an axis extending generally along the length of the thumb member, a motor (64) disposed on one of the hand chassis and the thumb member, the motor being operable to drive a worm (56) and a worm gear wheel (54) disposed on the other of the hand chassis and the thumb member, the worm being in engagement with the worm gear wheel such that, upon operation of the motor, the thumb member rotates in relation to the hand chassis.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for colouring a cosmetic covering. The apparatus includes image acquisition apparatus (18) operative to acquire an image of a part of a human or animal body to provide a digital colour image, processing apparatus (20) operative to determine a calibration transform for colours of an image acquired by the image acquisition apparatus, the processing apparatus being further operative to transform the digital colour image with the calibration transform to provide a colour compensated digital colour image, pigment mixing apparatus (26) operative to mix a plurality of pigments of different colours in dependence on at least one colour characteristic of at least one colour within the colour compensated digital colour image to produce at least one mixed pigment, and pigment applying apparatus (24) operative to apply the at least one mixed pigment to a cosmetic covering.

Abstract: A rotary actuator comprises a motor, gearing connected for driving by the motor, an output drive member and bearings for carrying the output drive member, wherein the gearing comprises wave generator gearing and the gearing is at least partially located radially within the bearings. In addition, an artificial limb member comprises an actuator to effect movement of the limb member, wherein the actuator comprises a motor connected to wave generator gearing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a covering (10) for a prosthetic hand. The covering (10) comprises a first layer (12) in the form of a glove or mitten configured to cover a prosthetic hand, with the first layer (12) comprising an elastomer. The covering (10) also comprises a second layer (14) disposed over at least part of a surface of the first layer (12), with the second layer being unitary and comprising polyurethane. At least one part of an interior surface of the first layer (12) is uncovered by the second layer (14).

Abstract: A rotary actuator comprises a motor, gearing connected for driving by the motor, an output drive member and bearings for carrying the output drive member, wherein the gearing comprises wave generator gearing and the gearing is at least partially located radially within the bearings. In addition, an artificial limb member comprises an actuator to effect movement of the limb member, wherein the actuator comprises a motor connected to wave generator gearing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process (10) of forming a covering configured to be worn by a human or animal. The process (10) comprises the step of applying uncured silicone rubber to a textile substrate (14), the textile substrate comprising an elastic fibre that allows the textile substrate to stretch elastically, the textile substrate defining the general form of the covering. The process also comprises part curing the silicone rubber (16) such that the silicone rubber is sufficiently cured that the integrity of the silicone rubber can be substantially maintained and yet the silicone rubber is sufficiently uncured that a surface of the silicone rubber is impressible. The process (10) then comprises impressing a pattern on the surface of the part cured silicone rubber (20, 22).