Human-centered Electric Prosthetic (HELP) Hand

Through a partnership with Indian non-profit Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti, we designed a functional, robust, and and low cost electrically powered prosthetic hand that communicates with unilateral, transradial, urban Indian amputees through a biointerface. The device uses compliant tendon actuation, a small linear servo, and a wearable garment outfitted with flex sensors to produce a device that, once placed inside a prosthetic glove, is anthropomorphic in both look and feel. The prosthesis was developed such that future groups can design for manufacturing and distribution in India

Designing for Disability: Making Activities of Daily Living more Manageable through 3D Printing

Introduction: While there have been many innovations developed for those with physical disabilities in recent years, a multitude of unmet needs still remain. With the advent of new and affordable technologies such as 3D printing, it is now more possible than ever before to bring one’s ideas to life; from creating customized prosthetics to wheelchair attachments for water bottles and umbrellas, we are able to quickly realize potentials otherwise unlikely - and in turn, we have the capacity to make the activities of daily living more manageable for those with physical disabilities. Objectives: By personally hearing from individuals with physical disabilities about what challenges they face on a daily basis, it is possible to develop 3D printed items that can address their unmet needs. This work seeks to propose design(s) that can be conveniently created via an FDM 3D printer, in response to their expressed concerns. Methods: In accordance with the principles of appreciative inquiry, first-hand discussions with those having physical disabilities have allowed for some insight into a few of the current struggles they endure. Their stories have inspired the following proposed design(s) which can be 3D printed, with the hope that these developments can help them navigate the world we live in just a little bit easier. Results: Presented design(s) have been drafted in Autodesk Fusion 360 and initial prototypes are to be printed in ABS plastic with an Affinia FDM printer. Conclusions: 3D printing is an affordable, convenient, and promising means of developing items that can assist those with physical disabilities as they navigate our often inaccessible-world. While many changes require advocacy and intervention at the level of public policy, some impactful means of assistance can instead be constructed in this manner

Large Area Electronic Skin

Technological advances have enabled various approaches for developing artificial organs such as bionic eyes, artificial ears, and lungs etc. Recently electronics (e-skin) or tactile skin has attracted increasing attention for its potential to detect subtle pressure changes, which may open up applications including real-time health monitoring, minimally invasive surgery, and prosthetics. The development of e-skin is challenging as, unlike other artificial organs, tactile skin has large number of different types of sensors, which are distributed over large areas and generate large amount of data. On top of this, the attributes such as softness, stretchability, and bendability etc., are difficult to be achieved as today's electronics technology is meant for electronics on planar and stiff substrates such as silicon wafers. This said, many advances, pursued through “More than Moore” technology, have recently raised hope as some of these relate to flexible electronics and have been targeted towards developing e-skin. Depending on the technology and application, the scale of e-skin could vary from small patch (e.g. for health monitoring) to large area skin (e.g. for robotics). This invited paper presents some of the advances in large area e-skin and flexible electronics, particularly related to robotics

A Case Study: Can 3D printers be used to address the prosthetic needs of amputees in the Dominican Republic?

With a history of recurring occupations and dictatorships, the development of the Dominican national infrastructure has been heavily interrupted by continuous transfers of power. As a result, the lack of a lean government structure is evident when studying the national healthcare system. Despite numerous organizations and agencies overseeing the needs of amputees across the country, only about 347 of the estimated 5,350 new amputees receive prosthetics per year (ARS Humano Salud, 2020; Asociación Dominicana de Rehabilitación, 2018, 2019). Although the needs of this large underserved population are not being met, the implementation of more cost-effective 3D printing technologies seems difficult and distant. This study explores how the Dominican national infrastructure affects the healthcare and wellbeing of amputees, the local economic viability of 3D printers to manufacture prosthetics, and the hurdles that may be encountered in the implementation of such technology across the country. Ultimately, the goal of this study is to determine whether the Dominican Republic is ready for a paradigm shift in its medical technology, and what policy changes would be required for this to happen. While limited research has been conducted in the area, it is believed that a paradigm shift of this nature could result in benefits not only for the amputee population but also for society

Open-Source Three-Dimensional Printable Infant Clubfoot Brace

International audienc

3D-printing techniques in a medical setting : a systematic literature review

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing has numerous applications and has gained much interest in the medical world. The constantly improving quality of 3D-printing applications has contributed to their increased use on patients. This paper summarizes the literature on surgical 3D-printing applications used on patients, with a focus on reported clinical and economic outcomes. Methods: Three major literature databases were screened for case series (more than three cases described in the same study) and trials of surgical applications of 3D printing in humans. Results: 227 surgical papers were analyzed and summarized using an evidence table. The papers described the use of 3D printing for surgical guides, anatomical models, and custom implants. 3D printing is used in multiple surgical domains, such as orthopedics, maxillofacial surgery, cranial surgery, and spinal surgery. In general, the advantages of 3D-printed parts are said to include reduced surgical time, improved medical outcome, and decreased radiation exposure. The costs of printing and additional scans generally increase the overall cost of the procedure. Conclusion: 3D printing is well integrated in surgical practice and research. Applications vary from anatomical models mainly intended for surgical planning to surgical guides and implants. Our research suggests that there are several advantages to 3D- printed applications, but that further research is needed to determine whether the increased intervention costs can be balanced with the observable advantages of this new technology. There is a need for a formal cost-effectiveness analysis

Developing a Testing Instrument to Evaluate the Performance Of 3D-Printed Body-Powered Prosthetic Hands

A 3D printed prosthetic hand is an open source technology that became a good substitution for many products in the market. For many reasons, Low-cost, easy made / easy build. As an open source product, 3D printed prosthetic designs are available to anyone around the world, a good option for young children because they need to have a new prosthetic more frequent until they reach the adulthood age. Most families cannot pay a thousand dollars technology. From the research, it found that that there are not enough studies cover the open source wrist body-powered prosthetic. Other studies covered products used by adults which more physical ability than young children. Other studies covered a body-powered prosthetic that needs fewer efforts to run the wrist-powered prosthetic. To develop or design a product it is essential to have the correct, valid information and data to develop the product. A quantitative data provides a realistic assessment for the prosthetic efficiency. The study aims to design the electrical circuit for a group of sensors that will be used to collect the pressure force to compare it with the applied force. The author success to detect signal form four sensors circuit. The author also provides a design for sliding motor plate to maintain the torque from the stepper motor to mechanical part of the robotic wrist

Optimizing 3D Printed Prosthetic Hand and Simulator

The purpose of this study is to examine the position and use of an upper extremity prosthetic simulator on non-amputees. To see how a 3D printed prosthetic simulator can be optimized to serve the user correctly and accurately. In addition, this study examines the improvement of the Hosmer 5X Prosthetic Hook with the addition of newly designed trusses on to the prosthetic, as well as utilizing a new manufacturing method known as 3D printing. These topics are important because there is no standardized prosthetic simulator for schools and research facilities to use. Off the shelf prosthetic simulator cost upwards of $2000, often too expensive for early stage research. By optimizing the Hosmer 5X Prosthetic Hook with 3D printing, this new opportunity could allow amputees, from a range of income classes, to have access to a wide variety of prosthetics that are strong enough to support everyday living activities. A low-cost prosthetic that is easily distributable and accessible can give people a chance to regain their independence by giving them different options of efficient prosthetic devices, without having to spend so much. The devices in this project were design and analyzed on SOLIDWORKS, 3D scanned on the Artec Space Spider, and surfaced on Geomagic Wrap. Key results include developing a low-cost, robust prosthetic simulator capable of operating a Hosmer 5X Prosthetic hook, as well as developing a lighter version of the Hosmer 5X Prosthetic Hook that is more cost efficient and easily obtainable to the population around the world