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PowerGrip Components, Upgrades, & Replacement Parts


PowerGrip Components, Upgrades, & Replacement Parts


 Reproduction or use of this concept without the express written permission of Broadened Horizons, Inc. is prohibited.
PowerGrip Upgrades & Replacement Parts

Assisted Grasp Actuator
New, ultracompact, with improved reliability.  Sized to apply just the right amount of grasp force and closure speed for intuitive control.  Industrial grade micromotor with planetary gear-type transmission

Orthotic Controller
Single actuator controller standard
Supports any 2 or dual ability switches. Optional parallel switch control provides simultaneous use of EMG Muscle Switches or ability switches
Bilateral Dual actuator controller available
Support for PowerGrip on both hands
Support for assisted grasp & elbow flexion/extension on one arm with 4-position hands/chin joystick control

The rugged controller is a small box which easily Velcro's to bottom of wheelchair seat, wheelchair backrest, or simply drops into a backpack or even fanny pack for amblitory brachial plexus injuries.  PowerGrip control wire is routed under backrest, up the side of the body inside shirt, down along arm under sleeve to plug into Orthosis on users' hand.  In this way the control wire is not visible and does not catch on anything during the course of normal daily activities.  The control wire is highly insulated commercial quality, very rugged, and only carries a low voltage signal so it is completely safe.  If accidentally damaged the control wire can be replaced for a few dollars at any electronics store!

The included GimpGear Dual Pushbutton Control Switches  (pictured below) are extremely rugged and typically mounted to the front or outside edge of the opposite armrest from the hand PowerGrip is utilized on.  Switch wires pass through wheelchair armrest pipe or under armrest and plug into orthotic controller under or behind wheelchair.

 Open / Close Grasp Control Switches
Included Standard
Dual Pushbutton Control Switches
Provide feather touch auditory feedback, easier for users lacking sensation in hands to know they have actuated the switch.
Rugged for use on power wheelchairs!
Compact enough to imbed into wheelchair armrest foam for a professional look! Only 2.3"x 1.38"x .8"
Elbow activation possible for some users
PowerGrip  EMG Muscle Control Kit provides completely hands-free control over opening and closing one's hand with the PowerGrip using only small controlled muscle flexion movements. The Platysma muscle provides very effective control for quadriplegics, although any muscle movement can be utilized.  A "double-twitch" flips between open and close modes. Featuring adjustable sensitivity, even the slightest muscle movement can be detected yet unintended activations ignored.  Now Shipping!  Contact Us for pricing or to order.
New Sip & Puff Switches
Very Responsive - requires little more than breathing
Great if able to drink or blow bubbles through a straw
Compact - only 2.5"x 2.5"x1" Substitute for 2 buttons
Includes two industry standard 1/8" (3.5 mm) adaptive switch mono plugs on 3' wire & 1/8" pneumatic nipple
Manufactured with antimicrobial tubing custom made for us
Includes Tubing Kit to run up inside shirt and out one of the top buttons/clip to front of shirt or add Sip & Puff Wheelchair Backrest Mounted Flexarm
Sip & Puff items non-refundable for hygienic reasons
For incomplete users with some foot movement.
Dual Foot Switches
Option to keep opposite hand free by utilizing otherwise inactive foot movement

Any other combination of two standard adaptive switches with a standard 3.5 mm Mono jack such as Tash's Micro Light or Trigger switches (pictured), the popular "Buddy Button", or AbleNet's Spec Switch (pictured) can be utilized. Even custom-built solutions can be made from any readily available SPST switch from RadioShack!
Wheelchair controller or ECU integration
If your wheelchair controller or Environmental Control Unit has two momentary adaptive switch compatible outputs, you can use it to control the PowerGrip on your hand!

 Power Supply (choose one)

Included
Optional Upgrade
Lithium-ion Battery Pack
(Operates PowerGrip
for 2 to 3 days)
 Power2Go Wheelchair Charging Socket Power Converter for PowerGrip
  Never Worry about Recharging!
Velcro to bottom of seat pan next to controller
Operates PowerGrip for 2-3 days or from AC wall outlet
Compact, lightweight, and no "memory effects"
Operate PowerGrip from wheelchair batteries,
Simply plug into  Wheelchair Charging Socket under seat frame
2nd Charging Socket  Battery Direct Cable Kit required for wheelchairs with charging socket on joystick controller only

Other Standard Kit Components
Control Wire, Actuator Jack, Short Sleeve Arm Strap
Wheelchair Mounting Hardware
User Manual and Suggested Mounting Manual
Support for Orthotist and Therapist

Myoelectric Control Upgrade under development:  We feel it is ridiculous that many quadriplegics would seemingly get more function by cutting off their own hand and replacing it with an artificial, prosthetic one!  Consequently, a highly improved myoelectric control solution is under development.  EMG signaling technologies commonly utilized with prosthetic hands will provide natural, cognitive control input for opening and closing the hand by flexing an existing, functional muscle. For C-5 quadriplegics this is typically the brachioradialis which is also sometimes used for tendon transfer to provide limited wrist extension.  The end result will be reaching out and naturally flexing a muscle to close the hand and pick up something.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
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