3d-printed miniature prosthetic fingers
TRANSCRIPT
Methods: Design Goal
3D-Printed Miniature Prosthetic FingersBiomechatronics Development Laboratory
CU Denver|Anschutz Medical Campus
Stephen Huddle, Jacob Segil, Stephanie Lorelli, Richard WeirEmail: [email protected]
Location: CHC Research Institute Lab: Room A0978
Discussion: Novel Ratchet Mechanism
ReferencesThere are approximately 500,000 people
living with minor upper limb loss in the
USA [1],[2]. While the field refers to these
types of amputation as ‘minor,’ it can be a
severe disability, especially if the
amputation involves the thumb and/or
multiple digits. Amputation can cause
physical, psychosocial, and economic
damage to an individual and can lead to
depression, anxiety, loss of self-esteem,
and social isolation [3],[4]. While the
number of individuals with partial hand
amputation is 10 times more than all other
categories of upper limb amputation
combined, the state of available
technology for this underrepresented
patient population is relatively poor. We
seek to improve options for prosthetic
fingers to be used on a daily basis.
The novel ratcheting mechanism allows
for intuitive one-handed use: Since
these are mechanical digits, finger
flexion is achieved by using the
contralateral hand or by pressing the
digits against a surface. The opposing
surface is used to flex and lock the
Point Digit into 10 distinct positions.
Opening is achieved by pressing the
release button (like a ball-point-pen
lock/unlock mechanism) or pressing
until the digits are fully flexed at which
time they will spring open. The
miniaturized prosthetic finger will
incorporate more distinct steps to allow
for additional grip positions.
Create reliable and robust passive
prosthetic fingers for women, children,
and pediatric populations with partial
hand amputations. These 3D-printed
metal prosthetic fingers will be of
anatomically appropriate size and
weight while maintaining functional
integrity.
Background and Significance
[1] K. Ziegler-Graham, E. J. MacKenzie, P.
L. Ephraim, T. G. Travison, and R.
Brookmeyer, “Estimating the prevalence of
limb loss in the United States: 2005 to
2050,” Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil., vol. 89,
no. 3, pp. 422–429, 2008.
[2] M. P. LaPlante and D. Carlson,
“Disability in the United States: Prevalence
and Causes, 1992. Disability Statistics
Report 7.,” Aug. 1996.
[3] J. Davidson, “A comparison of upper
limb amputees and patients with upper limb
injuries using the Disability of the Arm,
Shoulder and Hand (DASH),” Disabil.
Rehabil., vol. 26, no. 14–15, pp. 917–923,
Jul. 2004.
[4] H. Burger, T. Maver, and Č. Marinček,
“Partial hand amputation and work,”
Disabil. Rehabil., vol. 29, no. 17, pp. 1317–
1321, Jan. 2007.
Miniature prosthetic
finger side by side
comparison with a
5.8mm tall finger.
The finger on the far left is the 80mm Point
Digit from Point Designs LLC which is the
smallest size currently available. The
fingers scale down to 55mm by increments
of 5mm showing a range of new miniature
sizes.
Full set of miniature prosthetic
fingers.
Raw 3D-printed
steel parts still
attached to build
plate.
Results: Prototypes
1 I01 RX002830-01A1(Weir): Artificial
Digit Replacements for Women
Veterans with Individual Digit Loss
Project to develop a ratcheting prosthetic finger
using 3D Metal Printing for women veterans with
loss of one or more fingers.