Project Title:
Pointdexter: A Prosthetic Fingertip Terminal Device
Summary:
Modern dynamic upper-limb prosthetic terminal devices tend to either be functional or cosmetic, with most common designs making compromises between both aspects. Prosthetic hooks and grippers are great at grasping a variety of objects but are not cosmetic. Conventional electric hands are more cosmetic, but don’t allow for conforming grasp or multiple grasp patterns. Multi-articulating hands are also cosmetic, can conform to larger objects that are grasped, and offer multiple grasp patterns. However, both types of hands still have difficulty grasping and manipulating small objects. As no single terminal device meets all of the criteria of an ideal terminal device, users often have to physically remove and don different terminal devices to achieve the variety of tasks that they need to perform in their activities of daily living (ADLs).
LTI is developing a terminal device that can augment a prosthetic hand with an additional dexterous grip to provide the practicality and dexterity of a split-hook or gripper with the aesthetics of prosthetic hands. The Pointdexter combines form and function by adding a dexterous grip to the fingertip of the index finger on a multi-articulating hand. This device provides patients with the benefits of multi-articulating hands and functional grippers in the same device.
Publications:
- Initial Clinical Evaluation of Pointdexter – A Dexterous Prosthetic Fingertip
- Functional Measures of Dexterous Fingertip Prosthesis – Presentation
- Functional Measures of Dexterous Fingertip Prosthesis – Abstract
Funding:
Research reported in this publication was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R43HD090800 and R44HD090800. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Expected Completion Date:
October 2021
