WILMER Elbow Control

The traditional method to control mechanical terminal devices is a shoulder harness linked to the control cable. A shoulder harness gives an obstructed feeling by enveloping the trunk; it causes skin irritations, especially in the arm pits. A harness is difficult to don and doff, very difficult to clean and because of that it starts to smell badly after some time. Many users of a shoulder harness are forced to wear clothes underneath the harness in order to get some relief in discomfort. Also the cosmetics of a harness can be very poor. The WILMER elbow control is an alternative method to control mechanical hands and hooks. Instead of using the movements of the shoulder and/or the upper arm to control a prosthetic terminal device, the movements of the elbow are used. The flexion angle of the elbow is a measure for the opening width of the terminal device. Extension of the elbow opens the hand or hook prosthesis; flexion of the elbow permits the hand or hook to be closed by the action of a spring.

The WILMER elbow control is developed for the WILMER central pushrod operated terminal devices for children with a congenital upper limb deficiency. However, clinical experience has extended the target group: elbow control can be used by everyone with a forearm defect.

Indications

  • for children with (unilateral) upper limb deficiencies at forearm level 

Characteristics

  • harness-free control unit for the WILMER central pushrod operated prostheses
  • self adjusting upper arm fitting ensures optimal force distribution
  • insensitive to sand, water and dirt
  • two models available, one for Münster type sockets and one for the WILMER Open Fitting system
  • only the geometry of upper arm bar needs to be adjusted to the individual
  • ranges from 0 degrees (= fully stretched) to 128 degrees of elbow angle
  • low weight: age dependent sizing