Steeper’s Espire Elbow comes in five different models. Two of these — the Espire Pro and Espire Hybrid — are compatible with bionic hands.
What’s On This Page?
- A Quick Look at the Espire Elbow
- Basic Mechanics and Control System
- Proportional Speed Control
- Wrist Design
- Lift Capacity & Strength
- Durability
- Water and Dust Resistance
- Batteries
- User Software
- Price
- Warranty
- User Feedback Survey & Results
- Considerations Before Buying an Espire Elbow
- Related Information
A Quick Look at the Espire Elbow
The Espire Pro is an electric elbow with the ability to control the elbow itself, a bionic wrist, and a bionic hand or another bionic terminal device. This can be accomplished using the Espire’s built-in control system or a pattern recognition system like Coapt Engineering’s Gen2 or Infinite Biomedical Technologies’ Sense.
The Espire Hybrid elbow provides the same ability to control bionic components but it does not offer an electric elbow. That is, you cannot lift an object by curling the arm at the elbow. Instead, you can electronically lock the elbow in place so that you can lift objects passively.
The following short video provides a basic description of the Espire and its different models. It also announces Steeper Group’s acquisition of the Espire line of devices from its original designer, College Park Industries. We do not believe that this acquisition will have much impact on consumers because both companies are well established in the prosthetics industry.
And here is a short video of an actual patient using the Espire Pro:
Key Features
Basic Mechanics and Control System
The Espire Pro allows users to electronically flex or extend the elbow using myoelectric control, switches, transducers, or touchpads.
The Espire Hybrid allows users to electronically lock the elbow but requires them to manually position it. It also employs an adjustable counterbalance system to counteract the forces of gravity when the elbow is not locked.
Both models allow for electric control of a wrist rotator and bionic hand or another bionic terminal device.
One of the most exciting features for those using myoelectric control is the ability to recalibrate that system “on the fly”. This is accomplished by pressing a reset button on the Espire and then following a simple calibration routine. We view this as a wonderful addition to the world of electric elbows.
Proportional Speed Control
The Espire Pro offers proportional speed control for the elbow.
Both the Pro and Hybrid models support proportional speed control for all other bionic components.
Wrist Design
The Espire Pro and Espire Hybrid can both be paired with one of several mechanical or electric wrist rotators.
Lift Capacity & Grip Strength
The Espire Pro can actively lift up to 4.5 kilograms by curling at the elbow. Both the Pro and the Hybrid models have a static holding capacity (i.e. with the elbow locked) of 11.3 kilograms.
Durability
The Espire’s User Guide specifically cautions against subjecting the elbow to mechanical overloading, such as impacts or vibration. It also cautions against unusual activities that “include, for example, sports with excessive strain and/or shocks to the wrist joint (pushups, downhill mountain biking, etc.) or extreme sports (free climbing, paragliding, etc.)”.
In our view, it is best to view all electric elbows as relatively fragile.
Water and Dust Resistance
The Espire has an IP rating of 22. This means that it is protected from water spray less than 15 degrees from vertical, and from objects greater than 12 millimeters (the average dust particle is smaller than 1 millimeter).
Put more plainly, the Espire is neither waterproof nor dustproof.
Batteries
The Espire comes with two interchangeable batteries. One battery should be sufficient to power the elbow, a wrist rotator, and a bionic hand or another terminal device for a full day with average use. The second battery is typically used as a backup.
Each battery requires 3.5 hours to fully charge if completely drained.
User Software
The Espire does not offer user software. However, it does offer a software application called the Espire Hub App for prosthetists to configure the Espire :
Price
We do not yet have reliable information on the price for a typical solution involving either the Espire Pro or the Espire Hybrid.
If you have this information, please convey it to us through our contact form.
Warranty
The Espire comes with a standard 24-month manufacturer’s warranty. Users can purchase an additional two years of coverage.
User Feedback Survey & Results
Are you or have you previously been an Espire Elbow user? If so, please share your insights with others looking at the Espire as a possible component in an above-the-elbow solution.
Survey
Results
We do not yet have a sufficient number of survey participants to publish fair and accurate results for the Espire Elbow.
As soon as we do, we’ll update this section.
Considerations Before Buying the Espire Elbow
Without sufficient user feedback on the Espire, it is difficult for us to draw any conclusions about it.
However, we do wish to observe that this is the first entirely new electric elbow in some time, and it appears to have benefitted from modern components and design techniques. It also offers built-in myoelectric recalibration — a feature not offered by its competitors.
In our view, this suggests that the Espire should go on your shortlist if you are shopping for an electric elbow.
Related Information
For a list of competitive devices, see Current Options for Above-the-Elbow Bionic Arms.
For a comprehensive description of all current upper-limb technologies, devices, and research, see our complete guide.
Click here for more information on Steeper.