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A Structured Rehabilitation Protocol for Improved Multifunctional Prosthetic Control: A Case Study
Published on: November 6, 2015
Efficiency of voluntary closing hand and hook prostheses
Gerwin Smit1, Dick H Plettenburg
1Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands. g.smit@tudelft.nl
Prosthetics and Orthotics International
|September 21, 2010
Summary
Researchers tested five body-powered prosthetic hands and hooks to guide future designs. Hooks require less force and work than hands, offering a more efficient and controllable option for users.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
Background:
- The Delft Institute of Prosthetics and Orthotics is developing improved voluntary closing, body-powered hand prostheses.
- Existing terminal devices vary in mechanical performance, impacting user experience and functionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To mechanically test commercially available voluntary closing terminal devices.
- To provide design guidelines for future body-powered hand prostheses based on performance data.
Main Methods:
- Five terminal devices (three hands, two hooks) were tested on a specialized test bench.
- Measurements included activation cable forces, displacements, and produced pinch forces.
Main Results:
- Prosthetic hands required significantly higher activation forces and mechanical work compared to hooks.
- The TRS Grip 2S hook demonstrated the lowest activation force (33 N for 15 N pinch) and energy dissipation (52 Nmm).
- The Hosmer Soft VC Male hand exhibited the highest activation force (131 N for 15 N pinch) and energy dissipation (1409 Nmm).
Conclusions:
- Future prosthetic designs should prioritize lower activation forces to prevent muscle fatigue.
- Reducing mechanism and glove hysteresis is crucial for enhancing prosthetic efficiency and user control.
