The rope gripping device was born out of a very unique problem statement: To enable a C7 Quadriplegic para-athlete to effectively manage a solo sailboat by providing an optimal method of gripping sailing ropes. Our team has been in touch with an inspirational 'customer' for this concept, who will eventually use this device to improve his sailing.
Quadriplegia (tetraplegia) is caused by damage to the cervical spinal cord segments at levels C1-C8. Damage to the spinal cord is usually secondary to an injury to the spinal vertebrae in the cervical section of the spinal column. The name arises out of the fact that all four limbs of the person are affected. The legs are completely paralyzed and the arms are partially affected depending on which segment of the neck received the injury as seen in the list below below.
C3,4 and 5 Supply the diaphragm (mostly C4) |  |
| C5 also supplies the shoulder muscles (deltoid) and the muscle that we use to bend our elbow (biceps). | |
| C6 Bends the wrist back (extension), and externally rotates the arm (supinates). | |
| C7 Straightens the elbow and wrist (triceps and wrist flexors) straightens fingers, pronates wrist. | |
| C8 Bends the fingers (flexion). | |
| Injury below the cervical spinal segments will result in paraplegia, since the arms would be fully functional, but the legs completely paralyzed. Source for Quadriplegia information: http://www.apparelyzed.com/quadriplegia-quadriplegic.html |
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