HandMECH—Mechanical hand prosthesis: Conceptual design of the hand compartment

Abstract

In this study, conceptual design of the hand compartment of a body-powered hand prosthesis, HandMECH, is presented. HandMECH is a body-powered prosthesis and the hand compartment is designed according to human finger size and range of motion (RoM). Moreover, the design is governed by the daily activities performed by hand. In this regard, three types of grasp that are mostly used are identified. The thumb is designed with three degrees of freedom (DoF), i.e., translation and rotation, the index finger with three rotational DoF, and the other three fingers that generally move together are designed as combined and having one rotational DoF. In order to give the human finger flexibility, the fingers are designed to be made of flexible material and the other parts are of ABS material with the consideration of 3D printer for prototyping. CAD model is presented as an outcome of this study.