Abstract: A release mechanism especially but not exclusively for use in a prosthetic hand. The release mechanism includes a retainer and a release pin held within the retainer so as to be moveable between an engagement position and a release position. The retainer is provided with portions which engage the release pin to restrain it to movement between the engagement position and the release position. The portions include ball bearings to reduce the friction between the retainer and the release pin. Also, a prosthetic hand having such a release mechanism is provided so that the user can release the hand if it becomes jammed.

Abstract: A rotary drive member drives a driven member. A ring surrounding the driven member has two cam recesses containing lock members between cam surfaces of cam recesses and the ring. Each recess accommodates an associated lock member at different locations where the recess is shallower. Driving the driven member is permitted in a given rotation relative to the ring, but each lock member inhibits rotation of the driven member in the opposite sense. The recesses extend in opposite directions. Coupling between the driven members is free-play whereby reversal in the rotation disengages members and reengages. Protuberances extending into cam recesses retain a lock member associated with one recess at the deeper location permitting movement of the other lock member towards the shallower location. Upon reversal of the rotation, the protuberances retain another lock member at the deeper location permitting movement of one lock member.

Abstract: A release mechanism especially but not exclusively for use in a prosthetic hand. The release mechanism includes a retainer and a release pin held within the retainer so as to be moveable between an engagement position and a release position. The retainer is provided with portions which engage the release pin to restrain it to movement between the engagement position and the release position. The portions include ball bearings to reduce the friction between the retainer and the release pin. Also, a prosthetic hand having such a release mechanism is provided so that the user can release the hand if it becomes jammed.

Abstract: A prosthetic elbow includes a fixed member structure and a powered gearbox mechanism housed in a housing structure for rotating the forearm portion to varying angular positions. The powered gearbox mechanism includes a motor attached to the housing structure, a planetary frictional drive connected to a motor shaft of the motor and the housing structure, and a strain wave gear set having an input driven by the planetary fictional drive and an output attached to the fixed member structure, where the powered gearbox mechanism is configured to convert an output of the motor into a rotation of the housing structure relative to the fixed member structure, thereby causing the rotation of the forearm portion to varying angular positions relative to the upper arm. The fixed member structure and the housing structure each are connected to one of a forearm portion and an upper arm portion and rotatable relative to one another about an axis of rotation of the forearm portion.

Abstract: An adjustable counterbalance mechanism for a prosthetic elbow includes a torsional spring disposed in a housing structure coaxially to an axis of rotation of a forearm portion and a cord and pulley arrangement which includes a first pulley, a second pulley and a link member attached to a fixed member structure. The first pulley is attached to a second portion of the spring and connected to the second pulley by a first cord. The second pulley is pivotally attached to the housing structure and connected to the link member by a second cord. The cord and pulley arrangement is configured to transfer a moment of force due to spring force to the forearm portion to counteract the torque of a forearm due to gravity as the angle of the forearm portion changes relative to the upper arm portion.

Abstract: An artificial joint with two degrees of freedom has two rotary motors that move the joint in one degree of freedom when operated in respective senses of rotation and move the joint in the other degree of freedom when one of the motors is reversed. The movement depends on balancing the operation of the motors, which are controlled by a microprocessor. Sensors on the joint are connected to the microprocessor in a closed-loop feedback. A prosthetic device includes a tendon received in one end of a slot in a movable member, whereby movement of the tendon moves the movable member. A prosthesis has two parts moveable relative to one another, an actuator, and a user control. A transducer connected to the control and the actuator provides signals indicating movement effected by the actuator. A prosthesis cover includes a silicone laminate and a reinforcing liner.

Abstract: A myoelectric electrode assembly for a prosthesis comprising a retention ring adapted to be inserted into a correspondingly shaped aperture in the wall of the prosthesis. The assembly also has a myoelectric electrode unit held within the retention ring by a gasket which surrounds the electrode unit and is in sealing engagement therewith. A portion of the gasket is received in and sealingly engages with an annular recess around the inside of the retention ring.

Abstract: A gripper device comprising at least two portions which are coupled together and which can be moved towards one another to effect a gripping action and away from one another to effect a release action. An electrical motor is arranged to effect such movement, and a battery is connected to supply electrical current to the motor. A capacitor device is also connected to be capable of supplying electrical current to the electrical motor. A control device is arranged to cause the capacitor device to supply electrical current to the electrical motor after supply of electrical current to the electrical motor by the battery, to increase the strength of the gripping action.

Abstract: A method of making a cosmetic cover includes coating the interior of a mold with successive layers of one or more curable materials. An outer such layer is provided with means to create a non-homogeneous color effect in that layer, and at least an inner such layer is provided with means to create a background color, for the said outer layer, in the said inner layer.

Abstract: An orthotic caliper having at least two lockable steels for attachment to the respective limb members of the human body and having a locking pivotal connection between the steels, characterized by a releasable locking member which can be loaded in compression by the steels and which acts directly on at least one of the steels, and preferably on both of them, to lock them in a desired position when so loaded.

Abstract: An orthopaedic or prosthetic joint comprising a linkage having a number of fixed-length links and a spring link of variable length, wherein there are five fixed-length links which are pivotally connected together in a geometric pattern such that the spring link acts to hold the joint in any one of a number of angles of flexion.

Abstract: A battery and battery receptacle arrangement, comprising a battery as a first part of the arrangement and a battery receptacle as a second part of the arrangement, in which at least one formation provided on one of the parts engages a corresponding formation provided on the other part when the battery is inserted in the receptacle and moved transversely therewithin, thereby to retain the battery in the receptacle in a readily releasable manner.

Abstract: The invention concerns an elbow lock mechanism for use in artificial arms, comprising a locking bolt which is mounted for axial movement on a carriage which is movable by electric drive means between two positions, there being a spring on the carriage which urges the bolt into its locking position when the carriage is in one position and which urges the bolt into an unlocking position when the carriage is in the other position.

Abstract: A prosthesis comprising:(a) a gripping member;(b) an operating lever mounted to pivot about a pivot axis and operatively connected to the gripping member;(c) a power unit including an electric motor, and a drive shaft rotatable by said electric motor;(d) means connecting the drive shaft to the operating lever at a region spaced from the said pivot axis of the operating lever, said connecting means being constructed so that when the drive shaft rotates the connecting means (and also the region of the operating lever connected to the shaft) travels axially along the shaft thereby causing the operating lever to pivot about its pivot axis; and(e) means pivotally mounting said power unit to allow the connecting means to move along an arcuate path about the pivot axis during pivoting of the operating lever.