A Novel Single Digit Manipulator for Prosthetic Hand Applications

Author

Erickson, Jeffrey E. ; DeLaurentis, Kathryn J. ; Bouzit, Mourad

Author_Institution

State Univ. of New Jersey & the Univ. of Med. & Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway

fYear

2007

fDate

27-27 April 2007

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

5

Abstract

Herein, we report a lightweight manipulator with potential application as a prosthetic finger. Our design features lightweight construction using low cost actuators. To reduce power consumption, force and motion actuation are separated. Low cost miniature DC motors provide motion for the digit, while a magnetorheological fluid piston acts as a force brake. This combination of actuators improves efficiency and reduces weight. Control is provided by networked low cost microcontrollers, and is separated into high level coordination and low level position control. The end device will be low cost, efficient, and lightweight with low failure cost and easy substitution of parts for customization.

Keywords

DC motors; bioMEMS; microactuators; microcontrollers; micromanipulators; position control; prosthetics; DC motors; actuators; force actuation; force brake; lightweight manipulator; low level position control; magnetorheological fluid piston; microcontrollers; motion actuation; power consumption; prosthetic finger; prosthetic hand applications; single digit manipulator; Actuators; Costs; DC motors; Energy consumption; Fingers; Magnetic separation; Microcontrollers; Pistons; Prosthetic hand; Weight control;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Systems and Information Engineering Design Symposium, 2007. SIEDS 2007. IEEE

Conference_Location

Charlottesville, VA

Print_ISBN

978-1-4244-1286-0

Electronic_ISBN

978-1-4244-1286-0

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/SIEDS.2007.4373999

Filename

4373999