Specification of Michael Henry : artificial hands, feet, and limbs.

  • Henry, Michael.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Michael Henry : artificial hands, feet, and limbs. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Provisional Specification. A.D. I860.—N° 675. 3 Henry s Improvements in the Construction of Artificial Hands, Feet, <J* Limbs. together by a single cord attached to the armlet, by connecting them to a plate or appliance, the cord drawing them in the direction of a slot in which work studs or screws connected to the upper and outer part of the palm ; a separate piece may be mounted on an axis or joint for actuating the little finger, some* 5 what in advance of the others, and the thumb operated by the pulley arrange¬ ment. The cord is connected to a pulley, round which passes a double cord, which rides also on a convex seat to accommodate itself to the varying posi¬ tions of the wrist joint and palm. The end of the lever is concealed by a cap, and the fitting of the tubes is strengthened by and the elbow joint received in 10 straps or braces. Artificial leg.—In the arrangement preferred of this limb, the skeleton or framework may be of a light and supple wood, strengthened at parts by metal plates or braces. The foot is articulated at the base by flexible leather joints or otherwise. A strong spiral spring works the ankle joint and supports the 15 wTeight of the wearer on the heel, so as not to distress the stump. A rounded piece is centred at the ankle joint for the longitudinal movement of the foot; another strong spiral spring in expanding produces the artificial knee-joint action, and hence the motion of the leg, assisted by the weight of the latter when lifted for walking. Through the centre of the spherical piece represent- 20 ing the knee joint passes a stationary axis, to which are connected rods or bars constituting the calf and thigh, the end of a bar travels about one-fourth of a revolution in a slot, and rests at a stop, so as to come vertical when the wearer begins to walk. A perforated steadying bar is fitted lengthwise of the thigh for preventing too much oscillation of the lower part of the limb, its end is 25 covered with leather, and adjusted by inserting a moveable stud or pin into one of its perforations, and thereby regulating the linb’s oscillation, this the person should try before wearing it. Braces or supports receive the knee-joint axis, and connect the bars of calf and thigh, which fold at right angles when the knee is bent. The stump is received in a socket lined with skin or other 30 comfortable material, and fitted with a screw for opening and closing it as desired. The artificial limb is retained in a forked holder, strapped round the waist, and with joints or hinges working vertically on horizontal axes and plates, whose lateral play is provided for by centering pins or pivots; slots, pins, and nuts adjust the part against which the upper hip bone bears, and a 35 buckling pad adapts the shape to the waist; the trouser is kept away from the main articulation by an elastic web, and the part of the limb near the knee joint is surrounded by a hoop or band.