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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

body-powered prostheses, supplemental power, upper-limb amputees

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

Many upper-limb amputees are fitted with body-powered prostheses. These are typically operated by the user wearing a harness and making a certain body movement. That movement pulls a cable which then moves the terminal device, which may be an artificial hand or a hook, to perform desired functions. With such prostheses the user is typically limited in their use of the individual fingers and many opt for a hook. Some have voluntary-closing terminal devices, meaning that the hand is in an open position when no force is applied . Though these devices are useful, they often do not provide the grasping capability that is desired due to friction losses in the mechanism and in the rubberized hand. Also, the user must continue to apply a force to hold an object. If an object is held for an extended period of time, it causes fatigue in the user. As a result, body-powered prostheses limit the ability of the user to perform desired actions.

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