3D-printed upper limb prostheses: study of factors influencing functionality and usability in handgrip activities.

• Grant number: 23/11155-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Industrial Design - Product Design
• Principal Investigator: Fausto Orsi Medola
• Grantee: Erica Tiemi Tobaro
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Arquitetura, Artes, Comunicação e Design (FAAC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/06832-2 - Evaluation of 3D Printed Myoelectrical and Mechanical Prostheses in Handgrip activities., BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Orthopaedic prostheses are assistive technology devices that replace all or part of a limb, aiming to promote functionality, autonomy and social inclusion to people who use them. However, most conventional upper limb prostheses are heavy, difficult to control, poorly functional and uncomfortable, which contributes to a high rate of abandonment of these devices. In recent years, 3D printing has been used in the field of assistive technology because it enables the production of customized products that better meet the needs and preferences of the user, providing better acceptance and satisfaction to the user. Despite the increase in studies related to the use of 3D printing in upper limb prostheses, there is still an information gap related to the usability and functionality of these devices. The present project aims at research and development focused on the evaluation of the functionality of the models of upper limb prostheses produced by 3D printing currently available, through the verification of the factors that determine the best performance and usability in the manual grip of objects of daily use of bench test and evaluation with users.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TOBARO, ERICA TIEMI; MANERO, ALBERT; SENTHIL, PAVAN; VISHANAGRA, OM; PASCHORELLI, LUIS CARLOS; SPARKMAN, JOHN; SANDNES, FRODE EIKA; MEDOLA, FAUSTO ORSI. Evaluation of Open-Source Upper Limb Prostheses Models for 3D Printing: Grasping Performance Using Silicone Fingertips Covers. UNIVERSAL ACCESS IN HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION, UAHCI 2025, PT I, v. 15780, p. 15-pg., 2025-01-01. (23/11155-7, 24/06832-2)