Mouthstick Grabber

Overview

The Mouthstick Grabber is designed by Shepherd Center Rehabilitation Engineer Jared Grier in collaboration with Occupational Therapist Tori Le. The Grabber is based on the basic principles of a mouthstick with the added function of an end effector to expand the ways the user can interact with their environment. The Grabber is intended for individuals with full upper extremity paralysis and a good cervical range of motion.

Build Details

This project involves 3D printing, soldering, Arduino sketch uploading, PCB purchasing with provided files, and hands on mechanical and electrical assembly. All files needed for the project including assembly guide and bill of materials are provided. Please download  the Mouthstick Grabber Fabrication Package folder, obtain parts listed in bill of materials, and follow the assembly guide to build this project.

Development Log

The Mouthstick grabber is in active development. The design of the device and the assembly instructions will be modified and improved with each Grabber that I build.

The following, in no particular order, are future development goals:

• Improve the way the secondary button is held in the housing
• End effector for picking up and placing playing cards
• Hot swappable end effectors
• SMT PCB to further improve ease of wiring and assembly
• Angled tube joints to adjust grabber angle
• Servo-grabber linkage to replace fishing line

8/31/2024 v1

Grabber build count: 4

Full fabrication package uploaded in preparation for ASCIP Innovation Lab.

1/21/2025 v1.1

Grabber build count: 5

Minor changes to assembly instructions.

Thank you for visiting, downloading, and building.

If you encounter any issues when assembling, please do not hesitate to leave a comment. I am open to any and all constructive feedback on ways to improve the design and assembly instructions.