Moteru-kun Gripper—DL-07

For (With Whom)

People with hand paralysis or nerve impairment who have difficulty holding objects

Why

The user has quadriplegia from a traffic accident and has difficulty holding objects such as a bat or tennis racket. However, the user likes sports such as baseball and tennis, and the user and their family asked whether movements that include such elements could be incorporated into rehabilitation training.

How

First we visited the user's home and checked their physical condition. Gripping a bat or tennis racket was difficult because of paralysis of the fingers of both hands and joint contracture. However, we thought a structure was needed that supports the grip so that, when the bat is moved left and right, the wrist can turn over and the grip is maintained. As a result, we thought a structure like a universal cuff could hold the grip, which led to the current design.

Outcome

Being able to grip made training with a bat and racket possible. Although paralysis of the upper limbs and fingers is severe, repeated self-directed activity relaxed upper limb muscle tone, widened the range of active movement, and made the user's expression of intent clearer. By extending this design, Moteru-kun could also be attached to other items (fishing rod, table tennis racket), allowing the user to take on various kinds of training and broadening the range of activities.

Materials Used

Body: PLA

Approximate 3D Print Weight

9g

Print Settings Overview

Body, sides: Nozzle diameter = 0.4mm, Layer height = 0.2mm, Infill = 40%, Temp = 200°C, Speed = 60mm/s, Support = None, Top / Bottom = None

Accessory Information

Hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro) width 2cm Felt attached to the inside of the body (to prevent injury)