wrist rotation controlled by pro/supination in VC prosthesis

wrist rotation controlled by pro/supination in VC prosthesis

Hans de Visser

11/20/1997

Hi,
My name is Hans de Visser; I'm a student at the Delft University of
Technology in The Netherlands and I'm working on my thesis about a body
powered voluntary closing below elbow prosthesis.

In this prosthesis closing of the hand and pinching is controlled by
elbow flexion, so no shoulder harness is needed. Up till now the fitting
used has always been solid and as a result of this any ability of the
amputee to pro/supinate has been unused. I'm looking for ways to use
this ability for active wrist rotation, while retaining the function of
hand closing by elbow flexion. Therefore I have the following questions:

Is there anybody who has data on stump lengths (percentages; average,
most common, maximum, minimum lengths) and of the remaining ability of
amputees to pro/supinate (angles of pro/supination in relation to stump
length) or who knows where (e.g. in what article) I can obtain this
information ?

Is there anybody who has experience in (the design of) flexible
fittings or fittings made from several solid parts or who knows where I
can find this information?

Not directly related to the previous subject, but also of interest to me:
Is there anybody who has experience in the use or design of adaptive
fingers in a body powered hand prosthesis or who knows where I can find
this information?

Thanks a lot!

Hans de Visser
( <Email Address Redacted> )