Vacuum as a grasping force
O'Reagan, J.R.; Law, D.F.; Bresler, M.; Reger, S.I.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 62(5): 232-234
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9993 PMID: 7235913 Document Number: 179551
Three lifting systems for small objects were designed using vacuum as an artificial prehensile force. The first system for persons with C4-5 quadriplegia employed a vacuum pump, pneumatic tubing and a customized wrist-hand orthosis. For more severely disabled persons with C4 quadriplegia, the authors adapted this vacuum pick-up system by substituting a lightweight, tubular aluminum mouthstick in place of the orthosis as the primary grasping utensil. A 3rd variation, the suction mouthstick, lifted small objects and turned pages by using only the suction power generated by the person's own inspiratory force without additional mechanical amplification.