Prosthetic Arm Force Reducer Team 1 – Halliday's ... - Ohio University

attempting to create an attachment that could open and then hold the feed sack. Another
suggestion he made was to attempt to put ourselves in the shoes of the person with a disability
and spend the day trying to replicate the disability that is to be addressed. This would allow the
team members to have first-hand experience with the particular disability. Other ideas he
mentioned were excursion amplifiers, back harnesses, page turners, devices to help people get
dressed and to feed themselves, home modifications, work site ergonomics, rural and farming
work, computer adaptation, weight distribution, body position, and seating for people in to
wheelchairs.
After analyzing and debating the external research that was gathered, the decision was made to
focus on the area of upper extremity loss with emphasis on agricultural solutions. Patent
research was done to find solutions that might involve prosthetics or adaptations to equipment
that farmers must use. In the area of prosthetics, emphasis was given to the fact that the arm
would be used for physical labor and must be able to withstand and perform such heavy labor but
yet reduce the amount of physical impact on his or her body.
4.1 Benchmarking
In order to better understand what might assist an agricultural worker who had lost an upper
extremity, currently existing solutions were researched. What was found is that a limited number
of workable solutions currently exist. A variety of devices were researched even if they did not
cater strictly to farming. Hosmer sells a Model 7 Work Hook. (Fig. 4.1.1) On their website, the
hook is described as having a 1-1/8” opening to accommodate a broom or shovel handle. The
tines of the hook are serrated and it includes a knife holding, nail holding, and screw-driver
holding device in the guards. The hook is made from stainless steel and each rubber band
provides approximately 1.5lbs of applied tension. Springs are also available from the same
manufacturer and can be used in place of the rubber bands. The springs are stainless steel and
apply approximately 9lbs of tension per spring.
Fig. 4.1.1 – Hosmer Model 7 Work Hook
Otto Bock, one of the global leaders of health care products, produces a vector hook terminal
device with two force settings. (Fig. 4.1.2) On their website, the hook is described as a unique
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