Optimizing strap designs of upper limb prostheses

The precise positioning design of upper limb prostheses is important for patients with upper limb disability. In this study, we propose an upper limb prosthesis with a negative pressure design. Mechanical analysis is performed to obtain the force and moment equilibrium equations. Then, the individual discipline feasible method is performed to decouple the original problem into a three-sub-discipline problem. A minimum of three shoulder straps of tension is obtained during optimization using the Isight harness scheme. The prosthetic socket can be firmly attached to the human body. Further experiments verify that the proposed device meets the basic requirements of wearing.

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An Electromyographically Controlled Elbow Locking Mechanism for an Upper Limb Prosthesis

ElectroComponent Science and Technology ◽

10.1155/apec.10.87 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 10 (2-3) ◽

pp. 87-93 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

H. T. Law ◽

J. J. Hewson

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Upper Arm ◽

Hybrid Technology ◽

Electronic Circuitry ◽

Upper Limb Prosthesis ◽

Locking Mechanism ◽

Upper Limb Prostheses ◽

Mechanical Devices ◽

Limb Prosthesis

The purpose of the elbow lock incorporated in an artificial arm is discussed and the difficulties encountered in the operation of purely mechanical devices are outlined. An electrically driven locking mechanism has been built which is controlled by the electromyogram (e.m.g.) of the surviving muscles in the upper arm. Hybrid technology is ideally suited to the construction of the associated electronic circuitry and to many similar applications now being considered in attempts to improve the performance of upper-limb prostheses.

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Smartphone supported upper limb prosthesis

Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering ◽

10.1515/cdbme-2015-0116 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 484-487

Author(s):

D. Hepp ◽

J. Kirsch ◽

F. Capanni

Keyword(s):

Neural Network ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Design Development ◽

Test Setup ◽

Software Application ◽

Patient Feedback ◽

Emg Signal ◽

Upper Limb Prosthesis ◽

Upper Limb Prostheses ◽

Limb Prosthesis

AbstractState of the art upper limb prostheses offer up to six active DoFs (degrees of freedom) and are controlled using different grip patterns. This low number of DoFs combined with a machine-human-interface which does not provide control over all DoFs separately result in a lack of usability for the patient. The aim of this novel upper limb prosthesis is both offering simplified control possibilities for changing grip patterns depending on the patients’ priorities and the improvement of grasp capability. Design development followed the design process requirements given by the European Medical Device Directive 93/42 ECC and was structured into the topics mechanics, software and drive technology. First user needs were identified by literature research and by patient feedback. Consequently, concepts were evaluated against technical and usability requirements. A first evaluation prototype with one active DoF per finger was manufactured. In a second step a test setup with two active DoF per finger was designed. The prototype is connected to an Android based smartphone application. Two main grip patterns can be preselected in the software application and afterwards changed and used by the EMG signal. Three different control algorithms can be selected: “all-day”, “fine” and “tired muscle”. Further parameters can be adjusted to customize the prosthesis to the patients’ needs. First patient feedback certified the prosthesis an improved level of handling compared to the existing devices. Using the two DoF test setup, the possibilities of finger control with a neural network are evaluated at the moment. In a first user feedback test, the smartphone based software application increased the device usability, e.g. the change within preselected grip patterns and the “tired muscle” algorithm. Although the overall software application was positively rated, the handling of the prosthesis itself needs to be proven within a patient study to be performed next. The capability of the neural network to control the hand has also to be proven in a next step.

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Survey of upper limb prosthesis users in Sweden, the United Kingdom and Canada

Prosthetics and Orthotics International ◽

10.1177/0309364611409099 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 234-241 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Peter J Kyberd ◽

Wendy Hill

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Postal Questionnaire ◽

Single Factor ◽

Chi Square ◽

Prosthetic Devices ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Upper Limb Prosthesis ◽

Upper Limb Prostheses ◽

Different Types ◽

Limb Prosthesis

Background: As part of the process of improving prosthetic arms, it is important to obtain the opinions of the user population.Objectives: To identify factors that should be focused on to improve prosthesis provision.Study design: Postal questionnaire.Methods: The questionnaire was sent to 292 adults (aged 18 to 70 years) with upper-limb loss or absence at five centres (four in Europe) Participants were identified as regular attendees of the centres.Results: This questionnaire received a response from 180 users (response rate 62%) of different types of prosthetic devices. Responses showed that the type of prosthesis generally used was associated with gender, level of loss and use for work (Pearson chi-square, p-values below 0.05). The type of prosthesis was not associated with cause, side, usage (length per day, sports or driving) or reported problems. The findings did not identify any single factor requiring focus for the improvement of prostheses or prosthetic provision.Conclusions: Every part of the process of fitting a prosthesis can be improved, which will have an effect for some of the population who use their devices regularly. There is, however, no single factor that would bring greater improvement to all users.Clinical relevance Based on information gained from a broad range of prosthesis users, no single aspect of prosthetic provision will have a greater impact on the use of upper limb prostheses than any other. Efforts to improve the designs of prosthetic systems can cover any aspect of provision.

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Upper limb prosthesis use and abandonment: A survey of the last 25 years

Prosthetics and Orthotics International ◽

10.1080/03093640600994581 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 236-257 ◽

Cited By ~ 470

Author(s):

Elaine A. Biddiss ◽

Tom T. Chau

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Outcome Measurement ◽

Population Characteristics ◽

Future Research ◽

Upper Limb Prosthesis ◽

Upper Limb Prostheses ◽

Wide Range ◽

Consumer Dissatisfaction ◽

Limb Prosthesis ◽

Rejection Rates

This review presents an analytical and comparative survey of upper limb prosthesis acceptance and abandonment as documented over the past 25 years, detailing areas of consumer dissatisfaction and ongoing technological advancements. English-language articles were identified in a search of Ovid, PubMed, and ISI Web of Science (1980 until February 2006) for key words upper limb and prosthesis. Articles focused on upper limb prostheses and addressing: (i) Factors associated with abandonment; (ii) Rejection rates; (iii) Functional analyses and patterns of wear; and (iv) Consumer satisfaction, were extracted with the exclusion of those detailing tools for outcome measurement, case studies, and medical procedures. Approximately 200 articles were included in the review process with 40 providing rates of prosthesis rejection. Quantitative measures of population characteristics, study methodology, and prostheses in use were extracted from each article. Mean rejection rates of 45% and 35% were observed in the literature for body-powered and electric prostheses respectively in pediatric populations. Significantly lower rates of rejection for both body-powered (26%) and electric (23%) devices were observed in adult populations while the average incidence of non-wear was similar for pediatric (16%) and adult (20%) populations. Documented rates of rejection exhibit a wide range of variance, possibly due to the heterogeneous samples involved and methodological differences between studies. Future research should comprise of controlled, multifactor studies adopting standardized outcome measures in order to promote comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting prosthesis use and abandonment. An enhanced understanding of these factors is needed to optimize prescription practices, guide design efforts, and satiate demand for evidence-based measures of intervention.

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Upper Limb Prosthesis Evaluation in Amman-Jordan

Journal of Scientific Research in Medical and Biological Sciences ◽

10.47631/jsrmbs.v1i1.24 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 40-46

Author(s):

Mahboobeh Mustafa Abu Ismail ◽

Maha Mohammad Aldawood

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Exclusion Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Upper Limb Prosthesis ◽

Item Questionnaire ◽

Upper Limb Prostheses ◽

The Mean ◽

Basic Characteristics ◽

Limb Prosthesis

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate upper limb prosthesis in Amman-Jordan and to give a general overview about some of the basic characteristics of upper limb prostheses. It also aims to investigate how patients consider the prosthetic aspects and how they arrange their priorities to accept upper limb prostheses according to their interests and demands. Study Design: A cross sectional study. Subjects and Methods: The study is conducted in Jordan in three different clinics. These clinics are in three different regions of Amman; Albashir Hospital, Medic Step Center, and Royal Medical Services Hospital. The sample of the study includes fifteen Participants; upper limb amputees already fitted and using prosthesis were selected to participate in this questionnaire-based study. There were no exclusion criteria due to the limited number of upper limb amputees in Amman-Jordan. A 59-item questionnaire was designed to cover all important aspects of evaluation for upper limb prosthesis. Data were collected and processed with SPSS statistics program. Results: The data analysis reveals that the first priority for this group of amputees is fitting and suspension with the mean rating (4.74), comfort with mean rating of (4.73), appearance (4.4), ease of donning and doffing (3.87), function, durability, cost (3.47),(2.13),(1.8) respectively. Conclusion: Upper limb amputees in Amman-Jordan were found to have some priorities regarding accepting prostheses. The first priority was fitting and suspension followed by comfort, next is appearance followed by ease of donning and doffing then comes function, durability and cost respectively.

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Prosthetic limb use in Australia 1981-1985 under the Free Limb Scheme

Prosthetics and Orthotics International ◽

10.3109/03093648909078216 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 76-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

L. E. Jones

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Knee Prosthesis ◽

Knee Prostheses ◽

Prosthetic Limb ◽

Prosthetic Limbs ◽

Upper Limb Prosthesis ◽

Upper Limb Prostheses ◽

Lower Limb Prosthesis ◽

Limb Prosthesis

A study has been made of data on 19,421 prosthetic limbs prescribed for 12,143 Australians under the Free Limb Scheme in the years 1981–1985. These prostheses consisted of 18,119 legs and 1,302 arms. The mean age of the lower limb prosthesis user was 52.8 and the upper limb prosthesis user 31.3 years. Males outnumbered females by 3 to 1 in the upper limb prosthesis users, and 2.8 to 1 with lower limb prosthesis users. Below-knee prostheses, patellar-tendon-bearing and thigh-lacing prostheses, made up 58.7% of all prostheses prescribed in the time span. Below-elbow prostheses were the commonest upper limb prostheses with children being the most frequent users. Comparisons with other studies of large number of prosthesis users show an older mean age in Australia and more below-knee prosthesis users than in American studies.

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Silicone roll-on suspension for upper limb prostheses: Users’ views

Prosthetics and Orthotics International ◽

10.1080/03093640108726584 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 113-118 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

T. A-Z. K. Gaber ◽

C. M. Gardner ◽

S. G. B. Kirker

Keyword(s):

Outcome Measures ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Phantom Pain ◽

Artificial Limb ◽

Myoelectric Prostheses ◽

Upper Limb Prosthesis ◽

Upper Limb Prostheses ◽

Perceived Benefit ◽

Limb Prosthesis ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Objective: To determine the perceived benefit, pattern of use and problems of the ICEROSS socket for upper limb prostheses.Design: Structured questionnaire sent to patients provided with ICEROSS systems.Setting: NHS artificial limb clinic.Subjects: All patients (20) who have used an upper limb prosthesis with an ICEROSS inner socket between 1995–1999.Main outcome measures: Purpose-designed questionnaire.Results: Replies were obtained from 18 patients. Eight (8) amputees continue to use their ICEROSS limb regularly (44%) after a mean of 32 months. Ten (10) amputees stopped using the ICEROSS system. Six (6) developed persistent skin problems, 2 switched to myoelectric prostheses, 1 was unable to put the ICEROSS on independently and 1 amputee stopped using all kinds of prostheses because he did not find them useful. Fourteen (14) amputees complained of phantom pain, 4 of whom reported worsening of the pain with ICEROSS sockets.Conclusion: The ICEROSS socket provides good suspension for upper limb prostheses, but its use is limited by skin problems and incompatibility with myoelectric contacts.

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