A Next-Generation Split Hook Prehensor with Enhanced Grasp Functionality

描述(申请人提供)：由于某些固有的优势，令人惊讶的是，数量惊人的上肢截肢者在许多活动中更喜欢简单的电缆操作假体和分叉钩终端装置。对于美国和发展中国家的弱势截肢者来说，这种系统往往是唯一可行的恢复性选择。Ada Technologies及其由截肢者和假肢医生组成的支持网络相信，帮助这些用户的一个强有力的方法是创建一个轻便、坚固和耐腐蚀的新型分体钩，提供两个令人耳目一新的功能改进：1)一种可以轻松调整夹紧力以满足任务需要的方法，并将影响抓取的肌肉能量消耗降至最低；2)更具视觉吸引力的握持轮廓，提供稳定、高质量的抓取，而不会损害用户的财产。与ADA开发造福全球用户的创新传统假肢技术的使命一致，这项SBIR计划的主要目标是创造一种多功能的下一代分叉钩终端设备，使美国和国外的上肢截肢者感到高兴，并且可以低成本制造，以促进全球分销。在第一阶段，通过先前的研究开发的功能抓取轮廓与创新的夹力调节机制相结合，形成了一个视觉上吸引人的设计。与外部制造商的合作确保了这一设计充分利用材料和工艺，将制造成本降至最低。原型装置的现场试验验证了它提供了出色的抓取功能，评估者热情赞扬了其可调整的夹紧力能力。由于ADA的分叉钩重量轻，操作所需的能量比基准设备平均低53%，该公司的专家顾问认为，该设备将显著有利于因使用假体而遭受累积创伤损伤和斜方肌病理困扰的经股骨和有风险的截肢者。此外，该装置的低制造成本、坚固性和对电偶腐蚀的免疫力使其成为发展中国家弱势截肢者的理想选择，这些人中超过82%靠农业生存。第二阶段包括建立制造基础设施和验证生产硬件在艰苦条件下的性能，这些条件代表了自给自足的农业和牧场。对截肢者进行的临床测试将检验该装置对这些使用者的潜在益处。该公司还将完成法律要求的任务，将其拆分挂钩作为一种商业产品推向全球市场。第三阶段包括向美国和发展中国家的临床医生和人道主义机构制造和供应分叉钩。为了与SBIR计划的精神和意图保持一致，这种方法最大限度地利用NIH的资金，使那些必须每天应对上肢缺陷的限制和后果的男性和女性直接受益。与公共卫生相关：在美国和发展中国家，人们迫切需要负担得起的上肢假肢部件，因为不断上涨的成本和日益成熟的技术已经使许多截肢者无法获得大多数现有的产品。这里介绍的分叉钩技术结合了关键的功能创新，同时利用新材料和制造工艺，使喜欢传统假体的截肢者和那些几乎没有其他选择的截肢者受益。该设备旨在取悦用户，通过帮助他们重新实现自给自足、使命感和个人尊严，帮助他们成为或保持社会的生产性成员，从而提高他们的生活质量。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Owing to certain intrinsic advantages, a surprisingly large number of upper-extremity amputees prefer simple cable operated prostheses and split hook terminal devices for many activities. For disadvantaged amputees in the United States and in developing countries, such systems often present the only viable restorative option. ADA Technologies and its supporting network of amputees and prosthetists believe a powerful way to help these users is to create a lightweight, robust, and corrosion resistant new split hook offering two refreshing functional improvements: 1) a means to readily adjust pinch force to match task need and to minimize the muscular energy expended effecting grasp; and 2) more visually appealing gripping contours that deliver stable, quality grasp without damaging the user's possessions. Consistent with ADA's mission to develop innovative new conventional prosthetic technologies that benefit users worldwide, the Primary Objective of this SBIR program is to create a versatile next-generation split hook terminal device that delights upper-extremity amputees in the United States and abroad and that can be manufactured for low cost to facilitate global distribution. In Phase I, functional grasping contours developed through previous research were combined with an innovative pinch force adjustment mechanism in a visually appealing design. Collaboration with outside fabricators ensured this design fully leverages materials and processes to minimize manufacturing cost. Field trials of the prototype device verify it delivers excellent grasp functionality, and evaluators enthusiastically praised its adjustable pinch force capability. Because ADA's split hook is lightweight and requires on average 53% less energy to operate than benchmark units, the company's expert advisors believe the device will significantly benefit transhumeral and at-risk amputees plagued by cumulative trauma injuries and trapezius muscle pathologies arising from prosthesis usage. Moreover, the device's low manufacturing cost, robustness, and immunity to galvanic corrosion make it ideal for disadvantaged amputees in developing countries, over 82% of whom survive by agrarian occupations. Phase II comprises establishing manufacturing infrastructure and validating the performance of production hardware under strenuous conditions representative of subsistence farming and ranching. Clinical testing with transhumeral amputee subjects will examine potential benefits of the device for these users. The company will also complete tasks required by law to launch its split hook as a commercial product into the worldwide marketplace. Phase III encompasses manufacturing and supplying the split hook to clinicians and humanitarian agencies in the United States and in developing countries. In keeping with the spirit and intent of the SBIR program, this approach maximally leverages NIH funding to directly benefit men and women who must cope daily with the limitations and consequences of upper-limb deficiencies. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: In the United States and developing countries, affordable upper-extremity prosthetic components are much needed as escalating costs and increasing technological sophistication have for many amputees placed most existing products out of reach. The split hook technology described here incorporates key functional innovations while leveraging new materials and manufacturing processes to benefit amputees who prefer conventional prostheses and those for whom few or no other options exist. The device is designed to delight users, improving their quality of life by helping them become or remain productive members of society through renewed self-sufficiency, sense of purpose, and personal dignity.