Sizzling Hand Prosthesis. On the Design and Development of a Pneumatically Powered Hand Prosthesis for Children

摘要

The thesis contains five chapters, which describe the design of an innovative pneumatically powered, hand prosthesis. Chapter 1, Introduction, starts with a definition of the notion prosthesis. After presenting a very brief review of the development of upper extremity prostheses to date and a glimpse into the actual use of these prostheses, the object of the thesis is presented. The Chapters 2, 3 and 4 describe the design process of the pneumatically powered hand prosthesis mechanism. In Chapter 2, Concept, the conceptual choices are made. Based upon these choices a technical prototype has been developed, Chapter 3, Technical Prototype. This technical prototype was subject to thorough laboratory testing. A brief report of the tests is condensed in Chapter 3 as well. These tests proved the concept of the pneumatically powered hand mechanism, but also revealed several shortcomings of the design and the construction. A redesign was therefore made, with the object to enable clinical tests. The design and construction of this prototype for clinical testing is presented in Chapter 4, Clinical Prototype. Chapter, Discussion, Conclusions & Recommendations, concludes the thesis.