US 11,957,606 B2
Low-cost prosthetic apparatus, methods, kits, and systems with improved force transfer elements
Nikolai Dechev, Victoria (CA); Michael Carl Veikko Peirone, Victoria (CA); Kelly Knights, Victoria (CA); and Kimberly Arklie, Victoria (CA)
Assigned to Victoria Hand Project, Victoria (CA)
Filed by Victoria Hand Project, Victoria (CA)
Filed on Oct. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/514,618.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/107,358, filed on Oct. 29, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0133508 A1, May 5, 2022
Int. Cl. A61F 2/54 (2006.01); A61F 2/50 (2006.01); A61F 2/58 (2006.01); A61F 2/68 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 2/586 (2013.01) [A61F 2/5046 (2013.01); A61F 2/582 (2013.01); A61F 2002/543 (2013.01); A61F 2002/546 (2013.01); A61F 2002/587 (2013.01); A61F 2002/6836 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a prosthetic apparatus comprising:
a plurality of first components manufactured from a first material to define 3D shapes with exterior surfaces resembling digits of a human hand; and
a plurality of second components manufactured from a second material to define flat plates with uniform thicknesses 2D perimeter shapes,
wherein the flat plates are rotatbly engageable with one another and the 3D shapes within interior portions of the digits and the body to define force transfer elements comprising first flat plates located in the digits and at least one second flat plate that is located in the body and oriented transversely with the first flat plates,
wherein the force transfer elements are operable to close the digits around an object responsive to a pull force applied to the force transfer elements, wherein the first material is different from the second material;
an upper arm prosthetic with a partial limb; and
a lower arm prosthetic engageable with the prosthetic apparatus,
wherein:
the plurality of first components define additional 3D shapes with exterior surfaces resembling a human elbow; and
the plurality of second components define additional flat shapes that are rotatably engageable with the additional 3D shapes to define additional force transfer elements operable to selectively move the upper arm prosthetic relatic to the lower arm prosthetic.