Development of an anthropomorphic prosthesis prototype for superior members

Author(s)

Daniel Rodrigues de Camargo

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
• Defense date: 2008-08-11

Examining board members

Alberto Cliquet Junior; Jose Roberto Castilho Piqueira; Ivan Nunes da Silva

• Advisor: Alberto Cliquet Junior

Abstract

The purpose of this assignment is to develop a multifunctional and anthropomorphic upper limb prosthesis prototype for amputated patients. Its objective is to substitute the natural lost hand, in a way to improve the performance of regular activities. This prosthesis will have anthropomorphic characteristics, like appearance and movement, similar to the ones of the human hand, and natural characteristics inherent to it, for example the reflected arc. Another characteristic will be the tactile feedback ways of obtaining the information of the forces applied by the prosthesis in objects, as well as their temperature for the patient, overcoming therefore one of the traditional prosthesis\' deficiency. This device will have incorporated in its construction many sensors in order to do the proposed functions and it will use an algorithm based on the artificial neural network that is able to recognize patterns of myoelectric signals of the patient, which will be used as control signals, making possible to the patient a natural command. All of these implementations objective to contribute for the reduction of the rejection rate of prostheses for upper limb members and make possible a better rehabilitation and reintegration of the patient in the society. (AU)