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How it Started
How it Started
Figure 1. Prosthetic hand design from e-NABLE, a non profit organization that distributes 3D printed prosthetics.
The idea behind our project formed after our principal investigator, Dr. Sparks, had a conversation with Dr. Borys Prydalnyi, a visiting faculty member from Ukraine. He shared about the significant need for prosthetics in his home country due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, where the onset of violence had left many communities in need for affordable and reliable prosthetics. Since the start of the war in 2022, an estimated 20,000 Ukrainians have had amputations, with few receiving myoelectric prostheses, which can provide greater mobility compared to traditional, body-powered prosthetics. Companies have struggled to keep up with demands, and amputees have experienced financial barriers to restoring vital hand functions. Our team spearheaded this project in efforts to meet this demand with real-world feasibility.
Types of Prosthetic Hands
Types of Prosthetic Hands
A prosthetic hand is an artificial replacement of a missing or subfunctional hand. Their designs vary to fit the level of amputation and user needs.
Challenges in Myoelectric Prosthetic Hand Development
Challenges in Myoelectric Prosthetic Hand Development
Despite many advances in prosthetic technology, the adoption of prosthetic hands remains low. Current advanced prosthetic devices, such as Ottobock's BeBioinic hand, have an average cost of $11,000 or more, showcasing the barrier of cost that limits accessibility. A main engineering challenge is the integration of electrical components that drive functionality. Of considerable promise is the use of electromyography, the measurement of electrical muscle signals to control the movement of prosthetic components. Therefore, the collection and interpretation of such biological data is crucial in achieving desired user movement. Accurate feedback and dexterity is still an ongoing challenge, as most prostheses are only capable of predetermined gestures that erase the nuance of natural hand movement. It remains relevant to refine prosthetic hands for greater complexity and decrease the economic barrier associated with it.
Our Vision and Approach
Our Vision and Approach
Our vision is to increase accessibility of myoelectric prosthetics for communities in need, thereby increasing the quality of life through greater restoration of hand function.
Because the thumb is the most important digit of the hand, accounting for about 40% of its function, we envision a myoelectric thumb at a low cost. Our goal is to create a hybrid myoelectric model that uses electrical signals from the forearm to power the thumb, and a mechanical force from the wrist to power the other fingers. We are working with a 3D printed prosthetic hand model from e-NABLE, an non profit that shares open-source prosthetic designs and distributes volunteer-built devices to underserved communities. Once modified, we plan to contact e-NABLE and publish our design for their volunteer network.
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