PowerGrip Components, Upgrades, & Replacement Parts

PowerGrip Components, Upgrades, & Replacement Parts

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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

For users with only one functional arm

Dual Eyebrow Switches on a GimpGear Hat

Allows users to open grasp by slightly raising one eyebrow and close grasp by slightly raising the other. Improves with practice but involuntary eyebrow movement can also be achieved pinching desired eye closed like a strong wink

Clip to brim of favorite hat or visor, just slip on to use

For incomplete users with some foot movement.

Dual Foot Switches

Option to keep opposite hand free by utilizing otherwise inactive foot movement

Alternate for users with only one functional arm

GimpGear Sip and Puff Switch

Excellent option for a PowerGrip user who only has functional use of one arm.

Allows users to open grasp with a "sip" and close grasp with a "puff".

Simply clip washable, replaceable tubing to shirt, or attach to the Vocalize Voice Controlled Cell Phone System's Wheelchair Headrest Flex Arm Microphone. For health reasons, this product is non returnable.

EMG Muscle Switch Upgrade is operated by small controlled muscle flexion movements. It has adjustable sensitivity levels, and is commonly used on the brachioradialis for "close grasp" control combined with the open/close switch for "open" control. A second unit could be utilized on the trapezius or other available muscle for complete cognitive muscle open/close grasp control.

Contact Us for Upgrade pricing and availability

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	Wheelchair Battery Power Upgrades - Never worry about recharging!
Lithium-ion Battery Pack (Operates PowerGrip for 2 to 3 days)	Small Electronics Wheelchair Battery Power Adaptersat a Plugs into Charging Socket	PowerCheq Kit Installs on Battery Posts $199 Includes PowerGrip Cable	PowerCheq Mobile Power Kit $299 Includes PowerGrip Cable

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"	Simply plug into Charging Socket on rear or side of wheelchair Not recommended for charging socket son joystick controller	Conveniently installs directly on battery posts with included clips while remaining hidden from view. Go 25% further / charge Triples Battery Life Any Power Wheelchair	Also plug laptop, cell, heating pad, massager, lights, video games, and more into batteries! Go 25% further / charge Triples Battery Life Any Power Wheelchair

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.