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

Arthritis is a debilitating disease that effects your body's joints, causing pain, which in turn limits the forces that you can produce.

"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." (http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data\_statistics/arthritis\_related\_stats.htm)

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.

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).

See it in action here: https://youtu.be/a5veHyTHjsg

This is a two part assembly:
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).

Happy printing! Please post your makes, and let me know what you think.

Print Settings

Rafts:

Yes

Supports:

No

0.3mm (Low)

Infill:

50%

Notes:

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.