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Next Generation Arm Prosthetics: Exploring opportunities of improving accessibility, functionality and acceptance
Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Institute of Design.
2024 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master of Fine Arts (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis [Artistic work]
Abstract [en]

Prostheses can help people with limb difference to lead a life with lesser limitations. Today’s prosthetics industry focuses on high end electronic prostheses, which results in expensive products that only few peo-ple have access to. Moreover, these devices are often heavy, hard to control and unappealing, which leads to many users abandoning their prostheses. Simpler, purely mechanical prostheses have been around since over 100 years, are still widely used and are considered to be very functional. However, they have seen only marginal improvements since their invention, as they are being mostly neglected by the industry. New technological developments like the accessibility of 3D-printing have created opportunities to bridge this gap and provide users with better prostheses. The goal of this project was to find and explore ways to im-prove accessibility, functionality and acceptance of these devices. I did this in close collaboration with us-ers, stakeholders and my collaborating partner Agile Robots.The final design concept is a hybrid arm prosthesis that combines advantages of both modern electronic systems and traditional body-powered prostheses into a lightweight and robust solution. It is body pow-ered by a harness undershirt, that can be comfortably worn underneath the users’ clothes. Users can choose from a range of customized, inexpensive terminal device modules to gain individual benefits for different activities. The simplified hand as the everyday tool is cost-effective and can perform the most im-portant grips while staying affordable and friendly in appearance. The socket has a soft feel to it, naturally deforms with the rotation of the wrist and can be personalized by creating custom cover sleeves. By using available technology like 3D-scanning, procedural configurator software and a new way of 3D-printing, the prosthesis can be tailored to the individual user while reducing costs and manual work effort. This concept should serve as an inspiration for how amputees could benefit from making prostheses sim-pler, yet more personalized. It could challenge professionals in the field to rethink traditional methods of fitting and manufacturing prostheses and shine light on some of many challenges in the development of upper limb prostheses. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024. , p. 100
Keywords [en]
Prosthetics, design
National Category
Engineering and Technology Design
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-228366OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-228366DiVA, id: diva2:1888436
External cooperation
Agile Robots
Subject / course
Degree Project, Advanced Product Design
Educational program
Master's Programme in Advanced Product Design
Supervisors
Examiners
Available from: 2024-08-13 Created: 2024-08-13 Last updated: 2025-02-24Bibliographically approved

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CiteExportLink to record
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