"Assist Twist" Jar Opener and Closer for the Arthritic Hand #AssistiveTech

prusaprinters

<p>Arthritis is a debilitating disease that effects your body's joints, causing pain, which in turn limits the forces that you can produce.</p> <p>"An estimated 52.5 million adults in the United States reported being told by a doctor that they have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia." (<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis_related_stats.htm">http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data\_statistics/arthritis\_related\_stats.htm</a>)</p> <p>For those who suffer from arthritis in the hands, a simple task such as opening a jar can be cumbersome and painful, but most importantly, it can limit independence. So, lets 'leverage' science and give back some independence.</p> <p>I have designed a very simple jar opening and closing device that increases the torque that you can produce with your hands to allow you to open a jar with more ease. There are internal labels that tell you which side of the device to wedge a jar lid in depending on whether you want to open or close the jar (as it will assist you with either activity).</p> <p>See it in action here: <a href="https://youtu.be/a5veHyTHjsg">https://youtu.be/a5veHyTHjsg</a></p> <p>This is a two part assembly:<br/> The main loop is printed on your 3D printer, while the rubber stopper is purchased from a hardware store (Rubber leg tip to fit 22mm or 7/8" table leg).</p> <p>Happy printing! Please post your makes, and let me know what you think.</p> <h3> Print Settings</h3> <p><strong>Rafts:</strong></p> <p>Yes</p> <p><p class="detail-setting supports"><strong>Supports: </strong> <div><p>No</p></div><strong>Resolution:</strong></p> <p>0.3mm (Low)</p> <p><p class="detail-setting infill"><strong>Infill: </strong> <div><p>50%</p></div></p> <p><strong>Notes:</strong></p> <p>I printed with Low resolution, 90mm/s travel speed, and 50% infill. This produced a device that is robust enough to open/close jars with ease.</p> </p></p> Category: Kitchen & Dining