  Individuals with hand paralysis resulting from C6-C7 spinal cord injuries
frequently rely on tenodesis for grasping. However, tenodesis generates limited
grasping force and demands constant exertion to maintain a grasp, leading to
fatigue and sometimes pain. We introduce the MyHand-SCI, a wearable robot that
provides grasping assistance through motorized exotendons. Our user-driven
device enables independent, ipsilateral operation via a novel Throttle-based
Wrist Angle control method, which allows users to maintain grasps without
continued wrist extension. A pilot case study with a person with C6 spinal cord
injury shows an improvement in functional grasping and grasping force, as well
as a preserved ability to modulate grasping force while using our device, thus
improving their ability to manipulate everyday objects. This research is a step
towards developing effective and intuitive wearable assistive devices for
individuals with spinal cord injury.
