Lockable Finger System and Related Methods

Abstract

A prosthetic device comprising a first prosthetic digit, a first engagement portion, and a first stopping portion, wherein the first engagement portion is capable of engaging with the first stopping portion to lock the first prosthetic digit in a position of flexion in response to a force applied to the first prosthetic digit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A prosthetic device comprising:
 a first prosthetic digit;   a first engagement portion; and   a first stopping portion;   wherein the first engagement portion is capable of engaging with the first stopping portion to lock the first prosthetic digit in a position of flexion in response to a force applied to the first prosthetic digit.   
     
     
         2 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second prosthetic digit.   
     
     
         3 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a second engagement portion; and   a second stopping portion;   wherein the second engagement portion is capable of engaging with the second stopping portion to lock the second prosthetic digit in a position of flexion in response to a force applied to the second prosthetic digit.   
     
     
         4 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the first prosthetic digit is capable of locking in a position of flexion independently from the second prosthetic digit.   
     
     
         5 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a linkage coupled to the first prosthetic digit and the second prosthetic digit;   wherein the linkage is configured to extend the first prosthetic digit when the first prosthetic digit is not locked in a position of flexion; and   wherein the linkage is configured to extend the second prosthetic digit when the second prosthetic digit is not locked in a position of flexion.   
     
     
         6 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a third prosthetic digit and a fourth prosthetic digit;   wherein the first prosthetic digit, second prosthetic digit, third prosthetic digit, and fourth prosthetic digit comprise prosthetic fingers.   
     
     
         7 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first engagement portion comprises at least one notch positioned on the first prosthetic digit; and   the first stopping portion comprises a latch.   
     
     
         8 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the first stopping portion is positioned adjacent to the first prosthetic digit.   
     
     
         9 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the first engagement portion comprises at least one notch positioned on the first prosthetic digit;   the first stopping portion comprises a latch positioned adjacent to the first prosthetic digit;   the second engagement portion comprises at least one notch positioned on the second prosthetic digit; and   the second stopping portion comprises a latch positioned adjacent to the second prosthetic digit.   
     
     
         10 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a linkage coupled to the first prosthetic digit and the second prosthetic digit;   wherein the linkage is configured to extend the first prosthetic digit when the first prosthetic digit is not locked in a position of flexion; and   wherein the linkage is configured to extend the second prosthetic digit when the second prosthetic digit is not locked in a position of flexion.   
     
     
         11 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a third prosthetic digit and a fourth prosthetic digit;   wherein the first prosthetic digit, second prosthetic digit, third prosthetic digit, and fourth prosthetic digit comprise prosthetic fingers.   
     
     
         12 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 1   wherein the first prosthetic digit comprises a first phalanx and a second phalanx; and   wherein the first engagement portion comprises a first linkage joining the first phalanx and the second phalanx.   
     
     
         13 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein the first stopping portion is positioned on the first phalanx of the first prosthetic digit.   
     
     
         14 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the first prosthetic digit comprises a first phalanx and a second phalanx;   the first engagement portion comprises a first linkage joining the first phalanx and the second phalanx;   the second prosthetic digit comprises a third phalanx and a fourth phalanx; and   the second engagement portion comprises second linkage joining the third phalanx and the fourth phalanx.   
     
     
         15 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 14 , wherein
 wherein the first stopping portion is positioned on the first phalanx of the first prosthetic digit; and   wherein the second stopping portion is positioned on the third phalanx of the second prosthetic digit.   
     
     
         16 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a linkage coupled to the first prosthetic digit and the second prosthetic digit;   wherein the linkage is configured to extend the first prosthetic digit when the first prosthetic digit is not locked in a position of flexion; and   wherein the linkage is configured to extend the second prosthetic digit when the second prosthetic digit is not locked in a position of flexion.   
     
     
         17 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a third prosthetic digit and a fourth prosthetic digit;   wherein the first prosthetic digit, second prosthetic digit, third prosthetic digit, and fourth prosthetic digit comprise prosthetic fingers.   
     
     
         18 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the first engagement portion comprises at least one notch positioned on the first prosthetic digit;   the first stopping portion comprises a latch positioned adjacent to the first prosthetic digit;   the second prosthetic digit comprises a first phalanx and a second phalanx;   the second engagement portion comprises a first linkage joining the first phalanx and the second phalanx; and   the second stopping portion is positioned on the first phalanx of the second prosthetic digit.   
     
     
         19 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a linkage coupled to the first prosthetic digit and the second prosthetic digit;   wherein the linkage is configured to extend the first prosthetic digit when the first prosthetic digit is not locked in a position of flexion; and   wherein the linkage is configured to extend the second prosthetic digit when the second prosthetic digit is not locked in a position of flexion.   
     
     
         20 . A prosthetic device according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a third prosthetic digit and a fourth prosthetic digit; and   wherein the first prosthetic digit, second prosthetic digit, third prosthetic digit, and fourth prosthetic digit comprise prosthetic fingers.