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Mechanical evaluation of the "Hüfner hand" prosthesis
1Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
Prosthetics and Orthotics International
|April 9, 2021
Summary
The Hüfner hand demonstrates superior mechanical performance compared to current body-powered prosthetic hands, requiring less force for operation. This improved performance may explain its historically high user acceptance rates.
Area of Science:
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Biomechanical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Technology
Background:
- Current body-powered prosthetic hands exhibit low user acceptance and demand high activation forces.
- The historical Hüfner hand was noted for its high acceptance rate, attributed to lower activation force requirements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess and document the mechanical capabilities of the Hüfner hand.
- To compare the mechanical performance of the Hüfner hand against contemporary voluntary-closing prosthetic hands.
Main Methods:
- Mechanical evaluation of two Hüfner hand models using a standardized test bench.
- Measurement of forces and displacements under varied glove conditions (none, leather, PVC, silicone).
Main Results:
- The Hüfner hand required 132-170 Nmm of work and 78-104 N cable force to achieve a 15 N pinch.
- Overall mechanical performance of the Hüfner hand surpassed that of currently available body-powered prosthetic hands.
Conclusions:
- The study quantified the superior mechanical performance of the Hüfner hand.
- The findings suggest the Hüfner hand's design could inform the development of next-generation body-powered prosthetics, potentially improving user acceptance.
