The "Federica" Hand.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Robotics
• Rehabilitation Technology

Background:

• Traditional hand prostheses can be costly and complex to manufacture.
• 3D printing offers a pathway to more accessible and affordable prosthetic devices.
• Existing control methods like EMG have limitations in terms of setup and signal processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a low-cost, 3D-printed hand prosthesis.
• To implement a novel mechanical actuation and control system for prosthetic hands.
• To provide an open-source platform for prosthetic hand development.

Main Methods:

• A 3D-printed hand prosthesis, the "Federica" hand, was designed and fabricated.
• A single servomotor actuates five fingers via inextensible tendons and a differential mechanism.
• A force sensor monitors muscle contraction for proportional control, and servomotor current provides grip force feedback.
• An Arduino board serves as the processing unit.

Main Results:

• The prosthesis achieves synergistic finger actuation and secure grasping of various objects.
• The force sensor provides a simpler alternative to EMG for muscle contraction monitoring.
• The device exhibits a rapid activation speed (approx. 0.5 seconds) and a low cost (<100 USD).
• The "Federica" hand is lightweight, efficient, and effective.

Conclusions:

• The "Federica" hand represents a significant advancement in low-cost, functional prosthetic technology.
• Its open-source nature promotes wider adoption, customization, and further innovation in the field.
• The integrated force sensing and feedback system offers a user-friendly control and interaction method.