Electromechanical Quick Disconnect

Employer: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab / RIC

Role: Research Engineer III

It is not uncommon for users of prosthetic devices to have several different terminal devices (both powered and unpowered hands or hooks). Having a variety of tools makes accomplishing different tasks and activites easier for users. However, there are two issues:

• There is no universal standard interface across manufacturers

• The commercially available quick disconnect systems take up a lot of space in the build of the prosthetic device. These devices are tall and add to the overall axial length of the prosthesis, which many users do not have to spare if they would like to maintain visual symmetry with their contralateral limb.

Key Design Features:

• Minimize the height, or axial length, of the design

• Includes electrical contacts for control and power of myoelectric devices

• Includes 2 modes:

  • Axially and rotationally fixed

  • Axially fixed, but rotationally free to spin to a number of discreet positions for passive rotation of the terminal device to a new position.

• Easy to integrate mounting points/design for universal adoption across manufactuers

This was one of my main projects during my tenure with the lab.