Prosthetic arm powered by an ultrasonic motor
US6424886B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/59
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A movable prosthetic limb includes a drive linkage which is configured to move the prosthetic limb. An ultrasonic drive motor is coupled to the drive linkage and powers the drive linkage. The ultrasonic motor is non-backdrivable and has high torque at low speeds. Specifically, a prosthetic limb uses an ultrasonic motor to drive an elbow joint or prosthetic fingers. A movable prosthetic wrist includes a base configured to be coupled to an amputee. An ultrasonic drive motor is attached to the base, and a hand piece is attached to the ultrasonic drive motor to form a wrist joint. In this configuration, the ultrasonic drive motor directly moves the wrist joint. A harmonic drive can also be used for gear reduction in the wrist joint.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.