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Published on: November 6, 2015
Development of a Low-Cost Mechanical Hand Prosthesis with Varied Grasp Positions
1Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
Insights
A new low-cost HelpingHand prosthesis offers adjustable grasp positions and improved functionality for under $10. This affordable upper limb device enhances recreational prosthetic options for children and adults.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Technology
- Prosthetics Design
Background:
- High-performance prostheses are prohibitively expensive, while low-cost options have limited functionality.
- There is a significant need for affordable, high-performance upper limb prostheses, especially for pediatric users requiring frequent replacements due to growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cost-effective upper limb prosthesis with high-performance capabilities.
- To address the financial and functional limitations of existing prosthetic options for recreational use.
Main Methods:
- Modification of the e-NABLE Phoenix Hand v2 to create the HelpingHand prosthesis.
- Development of custom flexible finger modules and a user-adjustable whippletree mechanism for adaptable grasp positions.
- Comparison of the HelpingHand with existing designs through user performance tests using common household objects.
Main Results:
- The HelpingHand features wrist actuation and adjustable power/precision grasp patterns at a material cost under $10.
- Bioinspired flexible finger modules enhance the device's grasp functionality.
- User tests showed improved performance in both power and precision grasps compared to current low-cost prosthetics.
Conclusions:
- User-adjustable grasp positions in an affordably manufactured upper limb prosthesis represent a significant advancement.
- The HelpingHand shows promise for improving low-cost recreational prosthetic technology with further development.
- This innovation could increase accessibility to advanced prosthetic capabilities for a wider user base.
Purpose:
The pricing of high-performance hand prostheses and grasp limitations of low-cost hand prostheses indicate a need for the creation of a cost-effective upper limb prosthesis with high-performance capabilities. The need is particularly relevant for pediatric recreational applications, as it is difficult to finance multiple high-performance devices to match the growth of a child.
Methods:
We propose a low-cost upper limb prosthesis, the HelpingHand, to address these concerns through modification of the publicly available e-NABLE Phoenix Hand v2. Custom flexible finger modules and a user-adjustable whippletree mechanism were developed, allowing for swapping between power and precision grasp positions based on selected tension levels. The two designs were then compared through user performance tests with various common household objects and grasp positions.
Results:
The HelpingHand device features wrist actuation and incorporation of various adjustable power and precision grasp patterns with a material price point of under $10. In addition, bioinspired flexible finger modules were created to improve device grasp functionality. User tests demonstrated improvements in device performance in both power and precision grasp positions over current low-cost prosthetic standards.
Conclusions:
Implementation of user-adjusted grasp positions in an upper limb prosthesis developed with accessible manufacturing methods represents a promising step forward in low-cost device development. With further optimization and validation, the HelpingHand could provide an advancement in low-cost recreational prosthetic technology.
