Upper extremity assistance device

{
  "publication_number": "US12070407B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Upper extremity assistance device",
  "abstract": "In one embodiment, the orthotic device can include a powered hand portion, a switching element, and a controller. The wearer can interact with the switching element to generate input signals for adjusting an operation of the powered hand portion. The controller can receive the input signals and generate control signals to accordingly adjust the operation of the powered hand portion. In some embodiments, a powered hand portion can be comprised of a plurality of linkages and at least one powered actuator to assist with an opening and closing of the hand portion. The plurality of linkages can be operated by at least one electric motor with quick-connect elements to link onto fingers of a user. In some embodiments, an electrically-actuated clutch mechanism can be affixed to an upper arm section and a lower arm section of an orthotic device. The clutch mechanism can be configured into different positions.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An orthotic device, comprising: an upper arm section; a forearm section; at least one elbow joint rotatably coupling the upper arm section and the forearm section; and at least one electrically-actuated clutch mechanism comprised of at least one rotating member, at least one sliding member, and at least one bearing member wherein the at least one electrically-actuated clutch mechanism further comprises: the at least one rotating member includes at least one detent and is affixed to a first arm section; and the at least one sliding member slides through a second arm section, such that the at least one rotating member rotates relative to the at least one sliding member; the at least one sliding member is slidably configured within the second arm section into either a first slider position or a second slider position; wherein in the first slider position, the at least one sliding member forces the at least one bearing member into the at least one detent in the rotating member; and wherein in the second slider position, the sliding member releases the at least one bearing member from the at least one detent in the at least one rotating member and wherein the at least one sliding member is configured into the first slider position by a spring and configured into the second slider position by energizing a solenoid actuator.",
    "2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one detent is on a radial aspect of the at least one rotating member and is cylindrical or spherical in shape.",
    "3. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one rotating member is a clutch disc.",
    "4. An orthotic device, comprising: an upper arm section; a forearm section; at least one elbow joint rotatably coupling the upper arm section and the forearm section; and at least one electrically-actuated elbow and wrist rotation clutch mechanism comprised of at least one rotating member and at least one sliding member, and at least one bearing member wherein the at least one electrically-actuated elbow and wrist clutch mechanism further comprises: the at least one rotating member includes at least one detent and is affixed to a first arm section; and the at least one sliding member slides through a second arm section, such that the at least one rotating member rotates relative to the at least one sliding member; the at least one sliding member is slidably configured within the second arm section into either a first slider position or a second slider position; wherein in the first slider position, the at least one sliding member forces the at least one bearing member into the at least one detent in the rotating member; and wherein in the second slider position, the sliding member releases the at least one bearing member from the at least one detent in the at least one rotating member and wherein the at least one sliding member is configured into the first slider position by a spring and configured into the second slider position by energizing a solenoid actuator.",
    "5. The orthotic device of claim 4, wherein the at least one sliding member is a constant-radius curvilinear sliding member.",
    "6. The orthotic device of claim 4, wherein the constant-radius curvilinear sliding member is affixed to the forearm section.",
    "7. The orthotic device of claim 4, wherein the constant-radius curvilinear sliding member includes a plurality of detents."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to orthotic devices for upper extremities, and more specifically to orthotic devices for managing non-functional upper extremities.\n\nA large number of persons commonly suffer from hemiparesis or hemiplegia. Persons with hemiparesis suffer from weakness on one side of the body. That is, the patient can move an arm, leg, and/or trunk associated with an impaired side of their body, but with reduced muscular strength. Persons with hemiplegia are afflicted with paralysis of the arm, leg, and/or trunk on the same side of the body. Hemiplegia and hemiparesis may be congenital, or they might be acquired conditions resulting from an illness, an injury, or a stroke.\n\nWhether a person is suffering from hemiparesis or hemiplegia, the end result is extreme difficulty performing everyday tasks. In particular, many activities of daily living entail bimanual tasks, which either require or are greatly facilitated by the use of two hands. In many bimanual tasks, one arm and hand are used essentially to provide support or resistance, while the other arm and hand are used to provide power or movement. Examples include twisting a lid off of a jar, slicing a loaf of broad, turning the page of a book, taking currency out of a wallet, etc. Still other tasks use one or both arms to hold an object, but do not otherwise require motive power. Examples include holding a bag or briefcase (single-arm holding tasks), or holding a laundry basket (bimanual holding task).\n\nEmbodiments of the invention concern orthotic devices for managing non-functional or diminished function upper extremities.",
  "cpc": [
    "A61F 5/013",
    "A61F 2005/0134",
    "A61F 2005/0151",
    "A61F 2005/0155",
    "A61F 2005/0158",
    "A61F 2005/0188",
    "B25J 9/0006"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A61F 5/01"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Vanderbilt University"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Michael Goldfarb",
    "Benjamin William Gasser",
    "Daniel Alvin Bennett"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2022-11-30",
  "publication_date": "2024-08-27",
  "grant_date": "2024-08-27",
  "priority_date": "2017-05-25",
  "application_number": "US-202218060029-A",
  "family_id": "64396061",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
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}