Robot hand

Citation

(2003), "Robot hand", Industrial Robot, Vol. 30 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2003.04930aad.007

Robot hand

Robot hand

Applicant: Daum GmbH, GermanyPatent number: US6,247,738Publication date: 19 June 2001Title: Robot hand

A robot hand is described that can mimic the movements of a human hand in operation. The robot hand includes a thumb and at least one opposing finger having at least two phalanxes connectable to each other by a distal phalanx joint. The thumb of the robot hand also includes a joint allowing the thumb to move transversely with respect to the opposing fingers. The robot hand can also include one or more additional fingers disposed on an opposite side of the thumb. Movement in the robot hand is achieved using cables which can be operated mechanically or electrically through controlling motors. The phalanxes of the robot hand can rotate relative to one another to selectively cause the phalanxes to assume a bent or linear position by pushing or pulling on the cable. The phalanxes can be spring-biased to move either from the bent position into a straight position, or a straight position into a bent position.

The device may be used during minimally invasive surgery and where necessary, can be covered by a disposable glove.