ELECTRONIC UPPER LIMB PROSTHESIS WITH A MODULAR WRIST AND WIRELESS CONTROL

Abstract

The invention relates to medical technology. An electronic upper limb prosthesis comprises a hand housing with an integrated power source and elements capable of simulating grasping movements. The housing is equipped with modular finger assemblies and a separate thumb assembly, pivotally connected to the housing, each driven by an individual drive controlled by a microcontroller with an integrated wireless interface. The thumb assembly is secured to a bracket, and the microcontroller is capable of programmable adjustment of operating modes. The housing is equipped with removable covers enclosing cavities for housing electronic components and a battery, as well as a power switch. The technical result achieved consists of increasing the reliability of the user's grasping movements.

Description

[0001] The utility model relates to medical equipment, in particular to electronic prostheses of the upper limb hand, designed to restore the gripping function and compensate for lost motor capabilities of the forearm.

[0002] Prosthetic designs with electromechanical drives (utility model patents RU 176303, RU 217996) are known. They comprise a hand body, movable fingers, and a drive system. These designs allow for basic grasping, but have limitations: low modularity, lack of integrated wireless control, difficulty in adapting to individual needs, and limited autonomy.

[0003] The closest analogue is an electromechanical prosthesis covered by utility model patent RU 237054, which includes a modular claw-like hand portion and a proximal portion with a battery compartment. Its drawbacks include the lack of a wireless interface, the inability to reconfigure software, and the limited versatility of its components when replacement is required.

[0004] The claimed utility model differs from prosthesis RU 237054 in that, instead of a claw-like hand module with two moving elements, the design is shaped like a hand body with modular finger units and a separate thumb unit, providing a more natural imitation of hand movements. Additionally, the prosthesis integrates an ESP32 Wroom-32 microcontroller, which, combined with the modular finger units and a high-capacity battery, provides not only wireless control but also programmable operating modes while maintaining a high autonomy, a feature unattainable in existing analogs.

[0005] The technical problem that the claimed utility model is aimed at solving is the creation of an electronic upper limb prosthesis with a modular design that provides the possibility of wireless control, autonomous power supply, technologically advanced assembly and maintenance, as well as expanded functionality compared to known analogues.

[0006] The solution to the technical problem is achieved in that the electronic prosthesis of the upper limb comprises a hand housing with a built-in power source and elements designed to simulate grasping movements, the housing is equipped with modular finger units and a separate thumb unit, pivotally connected to the housing, each of which is driven by an individual drive, the control of which is carried out by a microcontroller with an integrated wireless interface, wherein the thumb unit is fixed on a bracket, the microcontroller is designed with the possibility of programmable adjustment of operating modes; the housing is equipped with removable covers that close the cavities for the placement of electronic components and a battery, and a power toggle switch.

[0007] To increase the operating time without recharging the batteries, the power source is usually made in the form of a lithium-polymer battery.

[0008] The technical result achieved consists of increasing the reliability of the user's grasping movements through the use of modular finger blocks and a thumb block.

[0009] The production of modular finger blocks of the electronic prosthesis with the possibility of independent replacement simplifies maintenance and adaptation of the design to the individual anatomical features of the user.

[0010] Software configuration of the operating modes of the electronic prosthesis is usually carried out using the ESP32 control module (a series of inexpensive microprocessors with low power consumption).

[0011] The essence of the utility model is explained by the following figures:

[0012] Fig. 1 - general view of the assembled electronic prosthesis of the upper limb, including finger units (1), base component (3), covers (4, 5, 6), hand body (7), battery (9) and ESP32 control module (10).

[0013] Fig. 2 is a side view of the electronic upper limb prosthesis showing the thumb block (2), bracket (8) and toggle switch (11).

[0014] Implementation of a utility model.

[0015] The electronic upper limb prosthesis is assembled and comprises a hand body (7) to which the finger assemblies (1) and thumb assemblies (2) are attached. This design enables the hand to perform a grasping function while simulating natural movements.

[0016] The brush body (7) serves as the supporting element, housing the electronic control components and the battery compartment (9) within its interior. The body is enclosed by covers (4, 5, 6) that protect the internal components from mechanical impact and ensure ease of maintenance.

[0017] The finger assemblies (1) are modular, each articulated with the hand body (7) and allowing for independent movement. The thumb assemblies (2) are designed as a separate element, mounted on a bracket (8), allowing for additional gripping options and increasing the versatility of the prosthesis.

[0018] Motion control is provided by the ESP32 Wroom-32 electronic module (10), installed in the brush body (7). The module provides wired and wireless control, the ability to programmatically configure operating modes, and integration with external devices.

[0019] The prosthesis is powered by a lithium-polymer battery (9) with a voltage of 11.1 V and a capacity of 2800 mAh, located in the hand body (7). This power source ensures autonomous operation of the prosthesis and the possibility of quick replacement.

[0020] Power is switched on and off using the GSMIN KCD1 (11) toggle switch, mounted on the surface of the housing.

[0021] The bracket (8) is used to attach the thumb block (2) and increase the rigidity of the structure in the hinge area.

[0022] The combination of design elements - the hand body (7), finger blocks (1), thumb block (2), covers (4, 5, 6), bracket (8), battery (9), ESP32 control module (10) and toggle switch (11) - ensures the ease of assembly, setting up software modes and reliable execution of gripping movements during operation.

[0023] The claimed utility model differs from prototype RU 237054 in a number of design and functional features, each of which is aimed at eliminating the identified deficiencies.

[0024] Modular finger blocks and a separate thumb block provide a more natural imitation of hand movements and a wider range of grip types compared to the claw design.

[0025] The integration of the ESP32 microcontroller with a wireless interface, combined with a modular finger system and a high-capacity battery, allows not only for remote configuration and control, but also for the prosthesis to be able to operate reliably and adapt to the individual characteristics of the user.

[0026] High-capacity lithium-polymer battery with quick-swappable design increases battery life and reduces the need for recharging.

[0027] Housing covers protect electronic components while simplifying maintenance.

[0028] The thumb mounting bracket increases the rigidity of the structure and the reliability of complex grips.

[0029] The toggle switch on the body provides safe and convenient power control of the device.

[0030] The combination of the specified features ensures the achievement of the stated technical result.

[0031] Example of the implementation of the utility model

[0032] The electronic prosthesis of the upper limb, made according to the claimed technical solution (figures illustrating the design are presented in the description of the application), was compared with: the bionic prosthesis of the forearm MANIfesto hand (https: / / motorica.org / prosthetics / upper-limb / manifesto-hand), the traction prosthesis of the forearm CYBI Hand (https: / / motorica.org / prosthetics / upper-limb / cybi-hand), the bionic prosthesis of the forearm with a single grip INDY Hand (https: / / motorica.org / prosthetics / upper-limb / indy-hand), as well as with the electromechanical prosthesis of the upper limb with a modular hand part of the claw type according to patent RU 237054.

[0033] The comparison was conducted based on the parameters of gripping reliability, ease of use, autonomy, and adaptability to individual user needs. The results showed that the proposed prosthesis, thanks to its modular finger units and separate thumb unit, provides a more diverse range of gripping options compared to prosthesis RU 237054, which utilizes a claw-type design (Tables 1 and 2).

[0034] Additional advantages include the integration of an ESP32 microcontroller with wireless control and the use of a high-capacity lithium-polymer battery, which increases autonomy and ease of use compared to both Motorica mechanical and bionic prostheses and the RU 237054 utility model.

[0035]

[0036] The above confirms the technical achievement of the claimed utility model, which consists of increasing the user's reliability in grasping movements through the use of modular finger and thumb units. Furthermore, the ESP32 control module provides programmable adjustment of the prosthesis's operating modes, increasing the device's operational flexibility.

Claims

1. An electronic upper limb prosthesis comprising a hand housing with a built-in power source and elements capable of simulating grasping movements, characterized in that the housing is provided with modular finger units and a separate thumb unit pivotally connected to the housing, each of which is driven by an individual drive controlled by a microcontroller with an integrated wireless interface, wherein the thumb unit is secured to a bracket, the microcontroller being capable of programmable adjustment of operating modes; the housing is provided with removable covers covering cavities housing electronic components and a battery, and a power toggle switch.

2. An electronic prosthesis according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the power source is made in the form of a lithium-polymer battery.

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