Evaluation of 3D Printed Myoelectrical and Mechanical Prostheses in Handgrip activities.

• Grant number: 24/06832-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Industrial Design - Product Design
• Principal Investigator: Fausto Orsi Medola
• Grantee: Erica Tiemi Tobaro
• Supervisor: Albert Carmen Manero Ii
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Arquitetura, Artes, Comunicação e Design (FAAC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Central Florida (UCF), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/11155-7 - 3D-printed upper limb prostheses: study of factors influencing functionality and usability in handgrip activities., BP.MS

Abstract

3D printing has been widely used in the development of assistive technology devices in recent years, as it allows the production of personalized products that better meet the user's needs and preferences, providing better acceptance and satisfaction to the user in addition to low production costs. Because of this, there are several initiatives around the world such as Limbitless Solutions that develop and produce upper limb prosthetics through 3D printing. Despite the increase in studies related to the use of 3D printing in upper limb prosthetics, there is still a gap in information related to the usability and functionality of these devices. This research proposal is part of ongoing research (process FAPESP 2023/11155-7) and it aims to evaluate both mechanical upper limb prostheses and myoelectric prostheses in handgrip activities of everyday objects and investigate how the design of the bionic arm with multi-gesture developed by Limbitless Solutions can influence the ability to grasp objects from daily life.