Title
Mechanical testing methods for body-powered upper-limb prostheses: A case study
Date Issued
01 January 2019
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Publisher(s)
ASTES Publishers
Abstract
3D-printing technologies have greatly influenced the field of fabrication of medical devices. In particular, Fused Deposition Modeling 3D printing has emerged as one the most popular and most promising technologies for fabricating upper-limb prostheses. Over the last years, a variety of types and designs of 3D-printed hand prostheses have been created and are commercially available. However, there are no standards or established procedures for testing these devices. Available information regarding their long-term performance and functionality is very limited. This paper presents a case study of mechanical testing methods applied to a specific design of an upper-limb prosthesis. The device and its subassemblies were subjected to flexion test in hyperextension and abduction conditions, fatigue/wear test, and tensile test. The experimental results are presented and examined. Testing procedures, adaptations and recommendations are described and discussed to demonstrate ways of generating reliable data that serve for comparison among different hand prostheses designs.
Start page
61
End page
68
Volume
4
Issue
5
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Robótica, Control automático
Ingeniería médica
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85074143160
Source
Advances in Science, Technology and Engineering Systems
ISSN of the container
24156698
Sponsor(s)
This work was funded by the National Council of Science, Technology and Innovation of Peru - Cienciactiva from Concytec (Grant Number 163-2017). The authors would like to thank Carlos Romero and Jorge Pajuelo for their support in the testing machines’ operation.
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus