Non-powered finger prosthethis
A non-powered finger prosthesis with a modular design addresses the limitations of powered prosthetics by allowing natural finger movement without external power, enhancing usability and reducing economic burden for amputees.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/KR2023/019771
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-11-24
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing powered finger prosthetics require significant power and are burdensome for amputees due to their weight and complexity, limiting their versatility and ease of use.
A non-powered finger prosthesis with a modular design comprising a first joint member, a second joint member, a third joint member, and a support member, which can be easily assembled and attached to an amputated finger with remaining proximal interphalangeal joints, allowing for natural finger movement without the need for motors or external power.
The non-powered finger prosthesis enables smooth performance of daily and work activities by mimicking natural finger movement, reducing the economic burden, and being easily manufactured, assembled, and managed, while eliminating the weight and power requirements of traditional prosthetics.
Smart Images

Figure KR2023019771_30052025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Non-powered finger prosthetic hand
[0001] The present invention relates to a non-powered finger prosthesis, and more particularly, to a non-powered finger prosthesis that is used on an amputated finger with remaining proximal interphalangeal joints to perform the function of the joints and is easy to assemble.
[0002] Generally, prosthetics are attached to the amputated part and are classified as decorative, active, and working prosthetics. Decorative prosthetics have a shape similar to the amputated finger, but cannot move or perform joint movements. Active prosthetics can move by transferring the movement of the shoulder to the joint area, such as adduction and abduction, or the oppositional movement of the thumb and the other four fingers. In addition, working prosthetics are designed for efficiency rather than appearance. For example, the hook-shaped fingertips can grasp, hold, or pull objects.
[0003] Meanwhile, electronic prosthetics that replace the hands of amputees use motors to implement joint movement, or strings, depending on the type. When implementing joint movement using motors, a significant amount of power is required because a motor is installed for each joint, and the electronic prosthetic hand itself is heavy, which puts a strain on the wearer's physical strength, and various other problems arise. To solve this, a predetermined power value can be stored in advance in the motor, etc., and the joint movement can be increased by a predetermined amount of power to implement a predetermined gripping force after detecting the joint movement limit value. However, this has the problem that the sensor and the predetermined stored power value must be input in advance, and it is difficult to implement various gripping forces depending on the situation or target object.
[0004] There is a need to develop a universal finger assistive device that can address these issues, reduce the economic burden, and be easily purchased, used, and managed by anyone.
[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a non-powered finger prosthesis that assists in smoothly performing daily life or work activities when the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP joint) of an amputated finger remains.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-powered finger prosthesis that is easy to manufacture and assemble and easy to attach to an amputated finger.
[0007] The problems solved by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.
[0008] In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a non-powered finger prosthesis including a first joint member, a second joint member, a third joint member, and a support member, the non-powered finger prosthesis including a first joint member having a fastening hole connecting a fastening projection of the second joint member with a fastening projection of the support member, the first joint member having a cylindrical shape through which a remaining finger passes; a second joint member having a fastening projection of the second joint member connecting a fastening hole of the first joint member with a fastening hole of the third joint member, the second joint member having a ring shape through which a proximal interphalangeal joint portion of a finger passes; a third joint member having a fastening hole connecting a fastening projection of the second joint member with a fastening projection of the support member, the third joint member having a shape of a distal joint of an amputated finger; and a support member including a fastening projection of the support member connecting the fastening hole of the first joint member with the fastening hole of the third joint member, the support member connecting the first joint member and the third joint member.
[0009] The first joint member may include a pair of first fastening holes formed symmetrically at an upper end of the first joint member and connected to a fastening projection of the support member at one end, and a pair of second fastening holes formed symmetrically at a lower end of the first joint member and connected to a fastening projection of the second joint member at one end, and a sweat discharge ventilation hole at the other end of the first joint member.
[0010] The second joint member may include a pair of second fastening protrusions formed symmetrically on the inside and connected to the second fastening hole of the first joint member at one end, and a pair of third fastening protrusions formed symmetrically on the inside and connected to the third fastening hole of the third joint member at the other end, and may include a C-shaped upper protective part and a C-shaped lower protective part for protecting a finger from the outside at one end.
[0011] The second joint member may further include stoppers on both sides of the upper portion of the second joint member to prevent the third joint member from being bent in the reverse direction when the fingers are spread.
[0012] The third joint member may include a pair of third fastening holes formed symmetrically at an upper end of the third joint member and connected to a third fastening projection of the second joint member at one end, and a pair of fourth fastening holes formed symmetrically at a lower end of the third joint member and connected to a fourth fastening projection of the support member, and may include a rubber tip at the other end of the third joint member.
[0013] The above support member includes a pair of first fastening protrusions formed symmetrically on the inside and connected to the first fastening hole of the first joint member at one end, and a pair of fourth fastening protrusions formed symmetrically on the inside and connected to the fourth fastening hole of the third joint member at the other end, and can form an upwardly convex curved body.
[0014] When the finger is bent, the upper end of the second joint member can move outward of the support member, and when the finger is spread, the upper end of the second joint member can move inward of the support member.
[0015] A non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used on an amputated finger when the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP joint) of the amputated finger remains, thereby performing the function of the joint, thereby assisting in smooth performance of daily life or work activities.
[0016] In addition, the wireless finger prosthesis according to the embodiment of the present invention is easy to attach to amputated fingers of various sizes, can be manufactured at low cost, and can be easily assembled and disassembled, so it can be conveniently used.
[0017] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.
[0018] The attached drawings are intended to explain the contents of the present invention in more detail to a person skilled in the art, but the technical idea of the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a non-powered finger prosthetic hand according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from above.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from below.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an exploded perspective view of a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first joint member of a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a second joint member of a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a third joint member of a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a support member of a wireless finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a finger prosthesis manufactured by adding a stopper to the second joint member of a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing the stabilization of the driving radius when a non-powered finger prosthetic hand according to an embodiment of the present invention is bent.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing the sliding home position according to load when a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention is bent.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a drawing showing the sliding home position according to load when the non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention is spread out.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing the sliding home position according to load when the non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention is extended to both sides.
[0031] Fig. 13 is a drawing showing a rubber tip fitted to the other end of a third joint member of a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13(a) is a drawing showing a non-slip rubber tip fitted to the other end of the third joint member, and Fig. 13(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a drawing showing a rubber tip fitted to the other end of the third joint member.
[0032] Fig. 14 is a drawing showing a photograph of a wireless finger prosthesis actually worn according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] Hereinafter, a non-powered finger prosthesis (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail, but the scope of the rights of the non-powered finger prosthesis (10) is not limited by the following description.
[0034] Throughout the specification, whenever a part is said to “include” a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise stated.
[0035] Below, specific details for implementation are described with reference to the attached drawings.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from above, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from below, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first joint member of a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a second joint member of a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a third joint member of a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a support member of a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a finger prosthesis manufactured by adding a stopper to the second joint member of a non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, a non-powered finger prosthesis (10) including a first joint member (100), a second joint member (200), a third joint member (300), and a support member (400) according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first joint member (100) having a cylindrical shape, including a fastening hole (101) of the first joint member connecting a fastening protrusion (201) of the second joint member and a fastening protrusion (401) of the support member, through which the remaining finger passes; a second joint member (200) having a ring shape, including a fastening protrusion (201) of the second joint member connecting a fastening hole (101) of the first joint member and a fastening hole (301) of the third joint member, through which the proximal interphalangeal joint portion of the finger passes; It may include a third joint member (300) having a shape of the distal joint of a severed finger, including a fastening hole (301) of a third joint member connecting a fastening protrusion (201) of the second joint member and a fastening protrusion (401) of the support member; and a support member (400) connecting the first joint member (100) and the third joint member (300), including a fastening protrusion (401) of a support member connecting the fastening hole (101) of the first joint member and the fastening hole (301) of the third joint member. Accordingly, the non-powered finger prosthesis (10) can be used on an amputated finger when the proximal interphalangeal joint of the amputated finger remains, thereby performing the function of the joint, thereby assisting in smoothly performing daily life or work activities, and can be easily mounted on amputated fingers of various sizes, can be manufactured at a low cost, and can be easily assembled and disassembled, so as to be conveniently used.
[0038] Specifically, the non-powered finger prosthesis (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention can be manufactured using a 3D printer. For example, the 3D printer can be selected from a filament extrusion method (FDM or FFF) that laminates a raw material such as ABS used in a plastic injection material into thin layers through an extrusion process, a stereolithography (SLA) method that hardens and laminates a liquid photopolymer by irradiating a beam onto a photopolymer, a selective sintering (SLS) method that applies a sintering process of engineering plastics and metal materials, and an inkjet method (Polyjet) that sprays a photopolymer in liquid form onto a build tray and solidifies the resin by irradiating it with a UV lamp.
[0039] In addition, the wireless finger prosthesis (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention can be manufactured using a metal 3D printer. A metal 3D printer is used to manufacture a product using metal powder and a laser, and can use the DED (Direct Energy Deposition) method and the PBF (Powder Bed Fusion) method. The DED method is a method of focusing a high-power laser, forming a molten pool on a base material, and supplying metal powder or wire to laminate it, and the PBF (Powder Bed Fusion) method is a method of spreading metal powder thinly and melting it by irradiating a high-power laser on the powder using the same principle as a laser printer.
[0040] Accordingly, the present invention has the advantage of an easy manufacturing process by manufacturing each of the first joint member (100), the second joint member (200), the third joint member (300), and the support member (400) using the 3D printer or the metal 3D printer.
[0041] The first joint member (100) may include a pair of first fastening holes (102) that are connected to the fastening protrusion (401) of the support member at one end and are formed symmetrically at the upper end of the first joint member (100), a pair of second fastening holes (103) that are connected to the fastening protrusion (201) of the second joint member at one end and are formed symmetrically at the lower end of the first joint member (100), and a sweat discharge ventilation hole (104) at the other end of the first joint member (100).
[0042] The first joint member (100) includes a sweat discharge vent (104) at the other end, so that the non-powered finger prosthesis (10) can be worn for a long time without discomfort when performing daily life or work activities, and the non-powered finger prosthesis (10) can be prevented from being detached from the amputated finger due to sweat.
[0043] The second joint member (200) includes a pair of second fastening protrusions (202) that are connected to the second fastening hole (103) of the first joint member (100) at one end and are formed symmetrically on the inside, and a pair of third fastening protrusions (203) that are connected to the third fastening hole (302) of the third joint member (300) at the other end and are formed symmetrically on the inside, and may include a C-shaped upper protection part (204a) and a C-shaped lower protection part (204b) that protect fingers from the outside at one end.
[0044] The second joint member (200) above can be fitted with a proximal interphalangeal joint portion, and the upper portion can protect the finger from the outside with a C-shaped upper protection portion (204a) facing the other side, and the lower portion can protect the finger from the outside with a C-shaped lower protection portion (204b) facing the other side, and can secure the proximal interphalangeal joint.
[0045] In addition, the lower end of the second joint member (200) has a C-shape facing the other side, so that when the finger is bent, the lower end of the first joint member (100) does not come into contact with the flesh, thereby protecting the finger from being pinched.
[0046] In addition, the second joint member (200) may further include stoppers (205) on both sides of the upper portion of the second joint member (200) to prevent the third joint member (300) from being bent in the reverse direction when the fingers are spread.
[0047] The third joint member (300) includes a pair of third fastening holes (302) that are connected to the third fastening protrusion (203) of the second joint member (200) at one end and are symmetrically formed at the upper end of the third joint member (300), a pair of fourth fastening holes (303) that are connected to the fourth fastening protrusion (403) of the support member (400) and are symmetrically formed at the lower end of the third joint member (300), and may include a rubber tip (304) at the other end of the third joint member (300).
[0048] FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a rubber tip (304) fitted to the other end of the third joint member (300) of a wireless finger prosthesis (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 13, the rubber tip (304) can be made of a special material such as conductive silicone to enable manipulation of a smartphone or the like. The rubber tip can be used without limitation as long as it is made of a material that allows manipulation of a smartphone or the like.
[0049] In addition, referring to Fig. 13(a), the rubber tip (304) may be manufactured to have an anti-slip pattern to make it easy to pick up slippery objects during daily life or work activities. In addition, referring to Fig. 13(b), the rubber tip (304) may have a replaceable fitting structure that is perpendicular to the direction in which the force is applied, and according to this, the rubber tip (304) can be attached and detached without bonding, and the rubber tip (304) can be used during daily life or work activities without easily coming off.
[0050] The support member (400) includes a pair of first fastening protrusions (402) that are connected to the first fastening hole (102) of the first joint member (100) at one end and formed symmetrically on the inside, and a pair of fourth fastening protrusions (403) that are connected to the fourth fastening hole (303) of the third joint member (300) at the other end and formed symmetrically on the inside, and can form an upwardly convex curved body.
[0051] The above support member (400) forms an upwardly convex curved body, so that even if the inner diameter of the second joint member (200) increases to fit various finger sizes, the support member (400) can be replaced without having to be replaced.
[0052] When the above-described non-powered finger prosthesis (10) is mounted, when the finger is spread, the second joint member (200) can rotate due to the interaction between the fastening hole (101), the first fastening protrusion (402), and the second fastening protrusion (202) of the first joint member, so that when the amputated finger is spread, the C-shaped upper protective part (204a) of the second joint member (200) receives force and the second joint member (200) spreads, and at the same time, the third joint member (300) can rotate with respect to the support member (400) due to the interaction between the fastening hole (310), the third fastening protrusion (203), and the fourth fastening protrusion (403) of the third joint member, so that the third joint member (300) can spread outward at the same time. At this time, the upper end of the second joint member (200) can move inward of the support member (400).
[0053] In contrast, when the finger is bent, the C-shaped lower protective part (204b) of the second joint member is forced by bending the severed finger, so that the second joint member (200) rotates inward, and the third joint member (300) can rotate with respect to the support member (400) due to the interaction of the fastening hole (310), the third fastening protrusion (203) and the fourth fastening protrusion (403) of the third joint member, so that the third joint member (300) can be bent inward at the same time. At this time, the upper end of the second joint member (200) can move outward of the support member (400).
[0054] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing the stabilization of the driving radius when the non-powered finger prosthesis (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention is bent. Referring to FIG. 9, when the non-powered finger prosthesis (10) according to the present invention is bent, the load is not concentrated only on the fastening portions of the first joint member (100), the second joint member (200), the third joint member (300), and the support member (400), but the load can be distributed so that each member can support it as a whole. Accordingly, the durability of the non-powered finger prosthesis (10) of the present invention can be improved.
[0055] Fig. 10 is a drawing showing the sliding groove position according to the load when the non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention is bent, Fig. 11 is a drawing showing the sliding groove position according to the load when the non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention is extended, and Fig. 12 is a drawing showing the sliding groove position according to the load when the non-powered finger prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention is extended to both sides. According to Figs. 10 to 12, a sliding groove can be added for easy assembly of each member. At this time, when each member is fitted, the sliding groove can be held like an insertion part guide, and can be assembled while stretching due to the tension of each member.
[0056] In addition, the binding direction can be set so that the load when the above-mentioned non-powered finger prosthesis (10) is bent is positioned in a direction that is not parallel to the sliding groove direction, thereby preventing detachment of each member.
[0057] When the above-mentioned wireless finger prosthesis (10) is spread out and extended to both sides, the load can be positioned in a direction more than 90 degrees opposite to the sliding groove direction to prevent detachment, thereby setting the binding direction.
[0058] Fig. 14 is a drawing showing a photograph of a wireless finger prosthesis actually worn according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] Although the detailed description of the present invention has been made by way of an embodiment with reference to the attached drawings, the above-described embodiment is only a preferred example of the present invention, and therefore the present invention should not be understood as being limited to the above-described embodiment, and the scope of the rights of the present invention should be understood by the claims and their equivalent concepts.
[0060] [Explanation of symbols]
[0061] 10: Non-powered finger prosthesis 205: Stopper
[0062] 100: 1st joint missing 300: 3rd joint missing
[0063] 101: Fastening hole of the first joint member 301: Fastening hole of the third joint member
[0064] 102: 1st fastening hole 302: 3rd fastening hole
[0065] 102a: First sliding groove 302a: Third sliding groove
[0066] 103: 2nd fastening hole 303: 4th fastening hole
[0067] 103a: Second sliding groove 303a: Fourth sliding groove
[0068] 104: Sweat-wicking vents 304: Rubber tips
[0069] 200: Second joint member 400: Support member
[0070] 201: Fastening projection of the second joint member 401: Fastening projection of the support member
[0071] 202: Second fastening projection 402: First fastening projection
[0072] 203: Third fastening projection 403: Fourth fastening projection
[0073] 204a: Top protection of type C
[0074] 204b: C-type lower protection
Claims
1. In a non-powered finger prosthesis including a first joint member, a second joint member, a third joint member and a support member, A first joint member having a cylindrical shape through which the remaining fingers pass, the first joint member including a fastening hole for connecting the fastening projection of the second joint member and the fastening projection of the support member; A second joint member having a ring shape through which a proximal interphalangeal joint portion of a finger passes, the second joint member including a fastening projection of the second joint member connecting the fastening hole of the first joint member and the fastening hole of the third joint member; A third joint member including a fastening hole for connecting the fastening projection of the second joint member and the fastening projection of the support member, and having a shape of the tip of a severed finger; and A non-powered finger prosthesis, comprising: a support member including a fastening projection connecting the fastening hole of the first joint member and the fastening hole of the third joint member, and a support member connecting the first joint member and the third joint member; 2. In paragraph 1, A non-powered finger prosthesis, wherein the first joint member comprises a pair of first fastening holes formed symmetrically at an upper end of the first joint member and connected to a fastening projection of the support member at one end, and a pair of second fastening holes formed symmetrically at a lower end of the first joint member and connected to a fastening projection of the second joint member at one end, and a sweat discharge vent at the other end of the first joint member.
3. In paragraph 2, A non-powered finger prosthesis, wherein the second joint member includes a pair of second fastening protrusions formed symmetrically on the inside and connected to the second fastening hole of the first joint member at one end, and a pair of third fastening protrusions formed symmetrically on the inside and connected to the third fastening hole of the third joint member at the other end, and includes a C-shaped upper protection part and a C-shaped lower protection part for protecting the finger from the outside.
4. In paragraph 3, A non-powered finger prosthesis, wherein the second joint member further includes stoppers on both sides of the upper portion of the second joint member to prevent the third joint member from being bent in the reverse direction when the finger is spread.
5. In paragraph 3, A non-powered finger prosthesis, wherein the third joint member comprises a pair of third fastening holes formed symmetrically at an upper end of the third joint member and connected to a third fastening projection of the second joint member at one end, and a pair of fourth fastening holes formed symmetrically at a lower end of the third joint member and connected to a fourth fastening projection of the support member, and a rubber tip at the other end of the third joint member.
6. In paragraph 4, A non-powered finger prosthesis, wherein the support member includes a pair of first fastening protrusions formed symmetrically on the inside and connected to the first fastening hole of the first joint member at one end, and a pair of fourth fastening protrusions formed symmetrically on the inside and connected to the fourth fastening hole of the third joint member at the other end, and forming an upwardly convex curved body.
7. In paragraph 6, A non-powered finger prosthesis, wherein when the finger is bent, the upper portion of the second joint member moves outward of the support member, and when the finger is extended, the upper portion of the second joint member moves inward of the support member.
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