Upper extremity assistance device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12070407-B2
Application number	US-202218060029-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 30, 2022
Priority date	May 25, 2017
Publication date	Aug 27, 2024
Grant date	Aug 27, 2024

Abstract

In one embodiment, the orthotic device can include a powered hand portion, a switching element, and a controller. The wearer can interact with the switching element to generate input signals for adjusting an operation of the powered hand portion. The controller can receive the input signals and generate control signals to accordingly adjust the operation of the powered hand portion. In some embodiments, a powered hand portion can be comprised of a plurality of linkages and at least one powered actuator to assist with an opening and closing of the hand portion. The plurality of linkages can be operated by at least one electric motor with quick-connect elements to link onto fingers of a user. In some embodiments, an electrically-actuated clutch mechanism can be affixed to an upper arm section and a lower arm section of an orthotic device. The clutch mechanism can be configured into different positions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An orthotic device, comprising:
an upper arm section;
a forearm section;
at least one elbow joint rotatably coupling the upper arm section and the forearm section; and
at least one electrically-actuated clutch mechanism comprised of at least one rotating member, at least one sliding member, and at least one bearing member wherein the at least one electrically-actuated clutch mechanism further comprises: the at least one rotating member includes at least one detent and is affixed to a first arm section; and the at least one sliding member slides through a second arm section, such that the at least one rotating member rotates relative to the at least one sliding member; the at least one sliding member is slidably configured within the second arm section into either a first slider position or a second slider position; wherein in the first slider position, the at least one sliding member forces the at least one bearing member into the at least one detent in the rotating member; and wherein in the second slider position, the sliding member releases the at least one bearing member from the at least one detent in the at least one rotating member and wherein the at least one sliding member is configured into the first slider position by a spring and configured into the second slider position by energizing a solenoid actuator.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one detent is on a radial aspect of the at least one rotating member and is cylindrical or spherical in shape.

3. The orthotic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one rotating member is a clutch disc.

4. An orthotic device, comprising:
an upper arm section;
a forearm section;
at least one elbow joint rotatably coupling the upper arm section and the forearm section; and
at least one electrically-actuated elbow and wrist rotation clutch mechanism comprised of at least one rotating member and at least one sliding member, and at least one bearing member wherein the at least one electrically-actuated elbow and wrist clutch mechanism further comprises: the at least one rotating member includes at least one detent and is affixed to a first arm section; and the at least one sliding member slides through a second arm section, such that the at least one rotating member rotates relative to the at least one sliding member; the at least one sliding member is slidably configured within the second arm section into either a first slider position or a second slider position; wherein in the first slider position, the at least one sliding member forces the at least one bearing member into the at least one detent in the rotating member; and wherein in the second slider position, the sliding member releases the at least one bearing member from the at least one detent in the at least one rotating member and wherein the at least one sliding member is configured into the first slider position by a spring and configured into the second slider position by energizing a solenoid actuator.

5. The orthotic device of claim 4 , wherein the at least one sliding member is a constant-radius curvilinear sliding member.

6. The orthotic device of claim 4 , wherein the constant-radius curvilinear sliding member is affixed to the forearm section.

7. The orthotic device of claim 4 , wherein the constant-radius curvilinear sliding member includes a plurality of detents.

Assignees

• Univ Vanderbilt

Inventors

• Goldfarb Michael
• Gasser Benjamin William
• Bennett Daniel Alvin

Classifications

• A61F2005/0158

  with locking means · CPC title

• A61F2005/0155

  with actuating means · CPC title

• A61F2005/0151

  combining rotational and torsional movements · CPC title

• A61F2005/0134

  with two orthogonal pivots · CPC title

• A61F2005/0188

  having pressure sensors · CPC title