User:Likowa

Wiki4 – Prosthetic Hands Prosthetic hands are artificial hands that are designed to replace amputated ones. They are fitted with a human arm to perform the supportive function of the hand or to simulate some of the functions to varying degrees. Prosthesis enables individuals with missing limbs to be equipped with artificial limbs, which functions efficiently, and they resemble the original ones in appearance. One can resume normal activities after he or she has acquired prosthetic hands, and the challenge posed by disability can pass almost unnoticed (Berman p.159). Most of the practical prosthetic hands in the market today are mechanical, but an effort is being made to establish the relationship between mechanical, neural, and sensory systems to facilitate the performance of some simple tasks, such as picking a ball or throwing a stone (James et al.). ** Method Materials Different materials are available in the local market and are used to design and manufacture of artificial hands. Wood is the most popular material because it is easily shaped. It is comparatively resilient and light. Pure Aluminum or an alloy of aluminum and other metals is used, mainly when lightness is the most desirable characteristic of the hand. Light limbs are often used among children and the aged. Besides, plastic arms are available, and they come in different shapes and sizes. Plastic limbs have the advantage of the high level of workability; hence they are easier to manufacture in comparison to other materials. Printed parts, a few screws, fishing lines, and other miscellaneous items are used together with the main components. Type of Hands Prosthetic hands come in various forms depending on the nature of work they are intended to perform. The two main designs available in the market include the one controlled by the elbow position, and the other one controlled using the wrist position. Both types of designs usually depend on the movement of the joint for it to function. According to Belter (p.599), different types of hooks in hand offer the most significant functional efficiency.** High efficiency leads to the essential function of natural hands, which entails pressure between forefinger and thumb. Besides, some artificial hands are designed to combine a specific amount of utility with a certain level of cosmetic value. This utility is achieved by placing a cosmetic glove to cover the mechanical part of the prosthetic hand, giving it a unique appearance. Some hands are designed with the main objective of giving it a pleasant appearance, and the supportive function as the secondary purpose. How it Works Most artificial hands are connected to one’s opposite shoulder and the operation done by the shrugging motion. The powering of the hand is usually done using the muscles that remain in the residual limb of an amputee. Muscles that powers the hand can be strengthened significantly using physical therapy. Different mechanisms, such as gears, springs, levers, straps, locks, and hydraulic mechanisms can be used to reinforce the muscles power. The operation of the hand can also make use of kineplasty, where an individual’s chest and arm muscles are made to operate the hand. This method is used when the most desired outcome is the skill rather than strength. In kineplasty, a tunnel is pierced under the selected muscles by surgery and skin lining done. Once the tunneling has been done, pegs are made to move the prosthetic hand mechanically. Development of Technology Prosthesis industry is experiencing rapid advancement in technology that is attributed to the growth and development of the electronic and software sectors. The emergency of Arduino board and its related components, such as servomotors and electromyography sensors among others are some of the major developments that are taken place in the electronic discipline. The advancement in the electronic field is complemented by the development of applications, such as MAT-LAB that have seen the design and manufacture of prosthetic limbs taken to a higher level. For instance, need to develop artificial hands for the above-the-elbow amputees has been made possible through the application of electromyography (Atzori).** The development of the above-the-elbow prosthetic hands poses a big challenge considering that there lacks a wrist or elbow in the residual limb to help in actuating the prosthetic hand. This task calls for the need to incorporate Arduino Nano, the MyoWare muscle sensor, an external USB charger, a high torque servomotor, and MATLAB software to do simulation.** The use of some open source applications, such as e-NABLE enables the creation of 3D printed hands that can open and close using muscle flexion. ** The new hand is designed with the motor to pull the figures open and elastic cords to hold them closed. The artificial hand is set out to reduce stress on the motor and to save power. Besides, the hand has provision for individual actuation of each finger and adaption of the shape of the item it holds. Examples of Prosthetic hands in the market Various companies have joined the prosthesis industry, designing and manufacturing different types of prosthetic limbs. Enabling the Future deals with the design and development of artificial hands on a charity basis. The operation and management of the organization consist of a team of devoted and professional volunteers, who use 3D printers to give solutions to different people across the world. For instance, enablingthefuture.org delivered a tiny version of the prosthetic hand to a five-year-old a little boy named Liam who was born without fingers on his right hand (Liam's progress). ** .Advanced Arm Dynamics also has a team of experts who have specialized in upper limb rehabilitation (Advanced Arm Dynamics). ** Besides, a complete limb system that operates through a simulation environment developed using Model-Based Design, and Mathworks tools are ongoing (James et al.).** The advancement in this industry is not is a prerogative of the United States only, as other countries, particularly in Europe are making significant steps. For instance, a state-of-the-art was established recently in Scotland with the purpose of giving specialized treatment and rehabilitation to military amputees and the rest of the country’s citizens. The center operates based on the SMART Center in Edinburgh and WestMARC unit located at Southern General Hospital (Victoria).**

In conclusion, the past decade has witnessed significant advances in the prosthesis and other cognitive related disciplines, giving rise to the development of sophisticated and complex bio-mimetic systems. The rapid advancement in robotics and programming continue to contribute significantly to the development of prosthetic hands with bio-inspired functionalities. This technology helps the amputees in performing their daily activities with much ease, thus improving the quality of their lives.

==Work Cited==

Advanced Arm Dynamics. Most Advanced Hand Technologies. (n.d). Accessed on March 8, 2018, http://armdynamics.com/pages/most-advanced-hand-technologies Atzori, Manfredo, et al. "Electromyography data for non-invasive naturally-controlled robotic hand prostheses." Scientific data 1 (2014): 140053. Belter, Joseph T., Jacob L. Segal, and BS SM. "Mechanical design and performance specifications of anthropomorphic prosthetic hands: a review." Journal of rehabilitation research and development 50.5 (2013): 599. Berman, Barry. "3-D printing: The new industrial revolution." Business Horizons 55.2 (2012): 155-162. Accessed on March 8, 2018, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0007681311001790 http://enablingthefuture.org/ James Burck, Michael J. Zeher, Robert Armiger, and James D. Beaty. Developing the World’s Most Advanced Prosthetic Arm Using Model-Based Design. Mathworks. (n.d.) Accessed on March 8, 2018, https://www.mathworks.com/company/newsletters/articles/developing-the-worlds-most-advanced-prosthetic-arm-using-model-based-design.html Liam's progress with finger prosthesis. Uploaded by Hodge Punk. December 8, 2012. Accessed March 8, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBUBLTgWEHw&feature=youtu.be Victoria Wollaston. How tech is revolutionizing the prosthetics industry: 3D-printed limbs and hands controlled by apps becoming mainstream. Daily Mail. April 4, 2014. Accessed March 8, 2018, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2599863/How-tech-revolutionising-prosthetics-industry-3D-printed-limbs-hands-controlled-apps-mainstream.html