Towards Ultra Low-Cost Myoactivated Prostheses.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Affordable Prosthetics

Background:

• High cost of prosthetic limbs limits access for amputees in developing countries.
• Existing prostheses often require invasive electrodes and complex maintenance.
• There is a need for low-cost, user-friendly prosthetic solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an ultra-low-cost, closed-loop myoactivated hand prosthesis.
• To create a device that is easy to manufacture and maintain.
• To provide functional prosthetic control without skin-contact electrodes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a low-cost embedded microcontroller (Arduino) and wearable stretch sensors.
• Designed a 3D-printed (PLA) claw-style hand prosthesis with a servomotor.
• Implemented haptic feedback using a second stretch sensor for closed-loop control.
• Incorporated gears and mechanical parts that can be made from recovered materials.

Main Results:

• The complete prosthesis concept costs less than AUD 30.
• The design effectively detects muscle contractions via volumetric shifts.
• Haptic feedback provides users with prosthesis closure information.
• The system is scalable for more complex prosthetic designs.

Conclusions:

• This ultra-low-cost prosthesis offers a viable solution for amputees in resource-limited settings.
• The electrode-free, easily maintainable design enhances accessibility and usability.
• Further development can lead to advanced prosthetic functionalities.