Utensil aid for a quadruple amputee
A cutlery holder made by Perth & Kinross Panel for an upper limb amputee, plus a similar device seen on the internet, provided some ideas. Unfortunately neither of these were appropriate for our client who had higher amputations, ie she does not have wrists. She was not able to tolerate prostheses.
Roehampton Hospital had provided her with 2 leather cuffs. Each of these had a leather socket, sewn on at 45 degrees to her arm. These were intended to be worn on top of her arm. Unfortunately, one of the sockets was too small to be used. Because the cuffs were worn on top of the arm, she was unable to exert any downward pressure, which meant that all her food had to be cut up for her.
The Challenge
The client requested aids that would enable her to cut up her food and feed herself. She also requested a pen holder.
No appropriate commercial solutions could be found.
The solution
The client was encouraged to use the cuff on the underside of her arm, instread of the top. This was to enable her to exert some downward pressure. Unfortunately, as the socket was sewn on at an angle, it could then only be used on her non-dominant arm.
The small socket on the 2nd cuff was removed and a larger one sewn on.
Two additional cuffs were made at the client’s request. These had the sockets in-line with her arm and could accommodate a spoon or a fork.
An extended socket for a table knife was 3D printed, using OnShape, and sewn on to another leather cuff. The knife was held in vertically, so that the blade was pointing downwards. After an initial trial, a replacement socket was printed, which had an extension back and front. (The first one only had a back extension.) The client found this more comfortable and it allowed her to exert sufficient pressure to cut a roast beef dinner.
The final device was a pen holder. This was more complex. A socket with a hexagonal aperture and magnet was 3D printed and sewn onto a leather cuff. A hexagonal peg, with a screw thread at one end and a magnet at the other, was 3D printed. It had a circular hole at the screw thread end to receive a pen, or similar small tool. The peg could be fitted in at a variety of angles. A nut was then screwed on, to hold the pen securely.
All the cuffs were held in place with one or more hook and loop straps and D-rings. She was generally able to do these up with her teeth.
The benefit
The client was able to feed herself independently for the first time in 7 years. She was also able to write, albeit with some difficulty at first.
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