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Enhancing everyday life (focused on a prosthetic device as the product to…
Enhancing everyday life (focused on a prosthetic device as the product to enhance every day life)
Reasons why someone cannot perform daily tasks (+who is the target audience)
If someone has a disability that stops them performing normal tasks
Mental health problems and issues surrounding mental health (anxiety, self confidence, depresion)
People who have to focus on other people (perhaps they are a 24/7 carer) might not be able to do daily tasks as they are always preoccupied
The target audience for a prosthetic device designed to mimic the forearm would suite people who could benefit from being able to have another hand to perform certain tasks (albeit at limited functionality because of current technology. It would suit any age and gender but younger people could find it easier as they have more time to learn how to control it. Also, as their muscles are still developing, they can build up the strength required to use it.
What basic tasks are important to do every day?
Clean and maintain personal hygiene
Eat and drink
Go outside and/or get exercise
Sleep
Get their education or a job
Have access to facilities to do these basic tasks
A product which would help solve some of the problems and why it would help
For this, I am going to focus specifically on the target audience with an upper limb loss (the solution could also work for other areas of limb loss)
If the client still has flexor muscles in their forearm, they could be able to get a controllable prosthesis device, which would help them to do lots of these basic tasks which much more ease.
If they do not have the muscles required to operate the prosthesis, non-powered or body powered devices are available to serve specific uses to aid the user in completing daily tasks
Having a device that mimics the limb could also have a positive effect on the clients mental health as it could help them feel more natural as they can start doing the same as everyone else. Giving the target audience more body confidence could also encourage them to go outside of their comfort zone and do things they would usually not.
Ergonomics of a prosthetic device
the device would need to mimic the shape of a hand so the user could get the best representation and learn how to properly use it
If the prosthetic was not in the shape of a hand, the user might find it harder to do things that require more dexterity than a basic pincer grip
Because of current technology, current prosthetic devices cannot fully mimic the feeling of a hand because of the usual weight where it previously wasn't
It also cannot give touch feedback so you have to pay attention to what is happening at the hand end to be able to control it accurately
The forearm shape would also mimic the shape of a forearm so the user can learn the awareness of how it would be if it was real - sot the device becomes almost natural
Properties the device would need to have
Toughness to withstand impacts and drops
No conductivity so any electrical components do not get damaged as well as the user
Needs to be very stiff so the material does not flex while holding heavy objects
It needs to be corrosion resistant as you do not want the device breaking down if you spill something on it - accidents are bound to happen
The material needs to be strong as well as lightweight so it is not too heavy for the user as it will be very fatiguing after constant use
Materials, shape and colour
Depending on the price point, it could be made out of a variety of materials
Plastic would be a lot cheaper and lighter than metals but it would not be anywhere near as strong
Metal alloys could have different properties at different prices and they can be made strong and durable for not too expensive
carbon fibre or high end metals (like titanium) would be the strongest or how light they are and carbon fibre can be made to any shape required. however, luxury materials are every expensive
The shape would accurately mimic a hand shape with individual motors in the fingers to get the most realistic representation of a hand out of the prosthetic device. It would also means that it would match a regular hand so it could replicate the looks an function
The colour can be adjusted based on user preference as wraps can be applied to the surface to customise it. Also, skin tone gloves can be worn over it which are matched to the user's pigmentation and also protect the prosthetic from abrasions, dirt and other potential damage.
3D Printing?
For a product like this, 3D printing would result in a much cheaper product for the customer so more people could buy it.
it wouldn't be as strong as other materials like metal alloys but it would make up for it in how light it is
Modern 3D printers can produce very high quality and strength prints at a low cost so the parts can withstand normal use and if they do break, more can be printed off
Because the filament used woudl be able to be remelted and then reused, it is an environmentally friendly option that significantly lowers the cost