Articulating wrist for elbow actuated prosthesis

thingiverse

The primary objective of this prosthetic system is to achieve enhanced functionality for any elbow-actuated recreational prosthesis, with increased capability arising from the implementation of a lockable wrist that allows the palm to be set at various angles. While it will not be possible to adduct or abduct the wrist, flexion and extension of the wrist can be performed at angles of 60 degrees for extension and -60 degrees for flexion. The design of the pin mechanism is inspired by the biological wrist joint angles, allowing the prosthetic wrist to mimic common wrist joint movements. This enables users to perform everyday tasks such as eating or giving a high five, which were previously unattainable with traditional prosthetics. The new device can be easily integrated into a wide range of assistive devices that share common connection points. A new string tensioning system has been developed and can be mounted on the cuff of any arm. Through iterative design processes, various wrist designs were explored, including a gear mechanism with a latch, a spring-loaded system, and a one-axle locking hinge mechanism. However, these designs were ultimately flawed due to limitations in additive manufacturing precision and capabilities. A pin locking mechanism was chosen for its ease of assembly, making it simple to teach others how to integrate the wrist into any device. A more straightforward design increases the likelihood of successful application. To integrate this system, simply attach the wrist to the preexisting connections of the assistive device, utilizing Raptor or Phoenix Hand mount points and compatible with devices such as the Reborn Hand.