At the time our focus was to designing and creating 3D printed body-powered prosthetics. Although, body-powered prosthetics have limited functionality and degrees of freedom, adding basic function where no abilities were possible is life changing. A lot of current research and direction of prosthetics is important, however, many cannot afford a fraction of these prosthetics. Also, this research leaves more affordable prosthetics less developed, and we plan to change that.

Furthermore, our plan was about improving the overall process of obtaining a prosthetic arm. The process of obtaining one is unfortunately a tedious process that requires different parties to be involved. This increases time and price of the overall prosthetic. Additionally, little help is given to the patient on how to use the prosthetic arm. A study conducted the Frazier rehab Center states that, “ Out of 47% of patients who did receive materials (on how to use and maintain their prosthetic arm), only 15-20% of the available material were considered useful.” By having a direct and hands-on approach towards designing and treatment, we will both save time in the creation and distribution of the arm, but also give additional help if and when needed.

Below is a printed body powered prosthetic we were experimenting with:

At the time, our team has been successful at prototyping our first fully-functioning body prosthetic. Throughout this process, we were able to address any future problems that will impact the project for years to come. The biggest problems being addressed are the weight of the prosthetic and the size of the pieces proportionally to one another. The team also needs to simply the designs so that they are less noticeable and smaller in diameter.

The team also hopes to develop one application in the space of myoelectric prosthetics and implement that technology towards any new patients that contact the team.

The photos below show the assembled body powered prosthetic with our patient at the time Tara. She is an amputee and the first one to test our body-powered arm. When we presented the arm to her, it was received very well, it was really amazing to see a part of her restored with the assembly of a few 3D-printed parts and strings. The body powered prosthetic operated with bodily movement of the elbow creating motion in the hand from the elbow.

The team began to shift focus for the upcoming semester. Before, there was a strong emphasis to work with body powered prosthetic and now the shift is being made to working with myoelectric prosthetics and with kids.

The team decided this pivot was necessary this is where the industry is heading and because of the potential for the team to do more community outreach. The team began to research on myoelectric sensors, competitors, and what platform to code the project on. This also involved looking into simple myoelectric prosthetics for patients who have been transracially amputated specifically children. The group is wanting to transition to this form of a client due to the outreach that we previously performed with Tara. Working with Tara gave us a new perspective on children that have to deal with an early amputations and we want to inspire these kids to keep fighting and show them that they can be strong for themselves.

The team this semester started 3D printing components of the prosthetic and started to figure out how to manipulate a servo motor through muscle contracting with the myoelectric sensor. In the midst of this the team was being held back by noisy signal only being detected which would produce a undesirable outcome when manipulating the servo motor. This issue would give inaccurate readings and would not operate properly as desired.

The team also began to run into issues of funding and receiving mailed orders from retailers with the necessary hardware and components that the team needed in order to continue progress and assembly of the prosthetic. The semester ended before those parts could come in.

While certain things did not go as planned for the semester, a lot was certainly learned and was all necessary for preparation of the next semester.

During the fall semester the team made a lot of progress. They were able to get in the ordered hardware and components to assemble the 3D printed arm. In the midst of its assembly the team was also able to figure out the issue with the myoelectric sensor noise and get it to operate based off of user input with little latency. This was a significant improvement from the previous semester.

The team also visited Limb Lab in Scottsdale and got to see in person prosthetics and how they operate. This sparked ideas and discussions of what is necessary for the further development of the prosthetic.

The team plans to install a touch-screen for customization options and self adjustment for the user as well. In addition to this, more testing, assembly and planning is being done for the next semester!