Quick-Releasing Prosthetic Harness

Stapleton, NE, farm couple Don and Beverly Dailey have designed and fabricated a machine-washable, Quick-Releasing Prosthetic Harness that fits over one of Beverly’s shoulders. It consists of four 1½-inch-wide strips of Dacron webbing sewn together to fit the shoulder snugly. From the harness strap that runs across Beverly’s back [[[(Fig. 1)]]], a tension strap extends under her left arm [[[(Fig. 2)]]], loops through a bib-overall buckle sewn on the front harness strap, then is doubled back and fastened to itself with Velcro [[[(Fig. 3)]]]. She uses sheepskin on the under-arm portion for added padding and comfort. The Velcro fastener gives her the ability to quickly pull open the tension strap and release herself from the harness if the terminal device would get caught on something. The prosthetic arm’s cable adjustment and tricep cuff are fastened securely to the harness.

Cost: $5.00

Limitations Addressed: Upper extremity