TERRAGRIP

Student Choice Award Nominee 2024

Terminal device prosthetic intended for search and rescue personnel with transradial arm amputations. Emphasis is placed on securely gripping and locking onto hiking poles, with the ability to retract the grip to neutrally carry a litter.

Interviews

Leah Kaplan

Congenital transradial amputation amputee since birth

Outdoor passions: climbing, hiking, running, kayaking, biking

Ryan O'Connell

Search and Rescue Leader
Bear Valley, San Bernardino, CA

100% volunteer based, in emergencies everyone gets

called and given the opportunity

to respond

Jeff Christenson

Director of Research & Development

Fillauer, terminal device company

Shelf design pairs with prosthetist fitted socket
Case study: ETD 2
Balances minimal weight with reliability and rigidity

Takeaway: Leah’s determination and passion for outdoor sports and exploration despite her limb difference, along with Ryan’s point that anyone can volunteer to become a search and rescue professional, inspired the idea that someone with a limb difference can be involved in search and rescue.

Concept Description

A terminal device for transradial amputee aspiring to be a California Search and Rescue personnel, allowing anyone to be a search and rescue volunteer

Tasks: hiking with poles, carrying litter, carrying equipment

Design Objective and Actuation Emphasis

Grip and hold irregular shaped cylindrical objects (hiking pole)

Retraction of grip to carry items (litter or equipment)

Sketch Ideation

Initially, focus was placed on ventilation to the residual limb, but Leah Kaplan shared her and other fellow amputees found this wasn't a core issue and prefered stability within the limb.