Design of a prosthetic hand with remote actuation

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Robotics
• Prosthetics

Background:

• Achieving high dexterity in prosthetic hands is challenging due to component size and weight limitations.
• Existing prosthetic hands often compromise on speed, torque, or weight to fit all components internally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a new prosthetic hand design that overcomes traditional component integration challenges.
• To enhance prosthetic hand functionality by meeting critical specifications for speed, torque, weight, and inertia.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a remote actuation system with actuators placed on the subject's back.
• Utilizing cable-driven transmission for power and motion transfer.
• Incorporating features for torque limitation and switchable actuation modes (underactuated and fully actuated).

Main Results:

• The remote actuation design successfully addresses the constraints of integrating components within the prosthetic hand.
• The system demonstrates the potential to meet demanding performance requirements for speed and torque.
• The design allows for flexible operation through switchable underactuated and fully actuated modes.

Conclusions:

• The proposed prosthetic hand design offers a viable solution for achieving high dexterity and performance.
• Remote actuation is an effective strategy for overcoming size and weight limitations in advanced prosthetics.
• The inclusion of torque limitation and adaptable actuation modes enhances the prosthetic hand's utility and user adaptability.