Force-testing device examines 3D-printed prosthetics

13th April 2016

Enaie Azambuja

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Rice University students developed force-testing device for 3D printed prosthetic hands to help ensure that children get the most out of the devices. The Rice team calling itself 'Carpal Diem' has developed a testing suite to validate how well 3D printed hands transfer force from the wearer, typically a child born without a fully formed hand, to the prosthetic intended to help pick up and manipulate small objects.

These 3D printed hands have become a source of pride for a community of "makers" who trade designs on the Internet and print hands for children who need them. But the Rice students said the 3D printed prosthetics are not as efficient as they could be.

The team members developed their rig as their senior capstone design project, required of most Rice engineering students. It will be on display at this week's George R. Brown School of Engineering Design Showcase, at which prizes of up to $5,000 will be awarded to the best of more than 80 teams.

The team's suite consists of a motorised wrist-and-palm assembly that can move up to 60º in either direction, a set of objects (a cylinder, a sphere and a rectangular prism) with embedded force sensors and a control program with a graphic user interface.

An operator uses the program to bend the wrist and close the printed hand's fingers and thumb around an object. Sensors in the object send feedback on force strength and distribution to the computer.

Bioengineering majors Nicolette Chamberlain-Simon and Michaela Dimoff, electrical and computer engineering major Nirali Desai and mechanical engineering majors Rachel Sterling and Wang began strategising even before they returned to Rice for their senior year.

The team hopes to put the first prototype of the testing device and a detailed protocol for its use into the hands of their mentor, Dr. Gloria Gogola, a pediatric hand surgeon at Shriners Hospital for Children-Houston who has worked with many Rice engineering teams in recent years, by the end of the school year.