An amputation is the removal of a limb due to a deadly infection/tumor, or because of severe trauma which is in fact the leading cause [1]. An amputee usually has to get a prosthetic, which can be very expensive, and despite being so expensive they don’t last very long [3]. Prosthetics are made of expensive materials making them not affordable to most people who need them. Not only this but these prosthetics have very limited movement due to being very heavy [2]. For people trying to play sports, these prosthetics are no use to them and provide many difficulties, specifically our prosthetic will be designed for playing volleyball. The goal of our design is to target these limitations of current prosthetics while keeping the costs low so our device is affordable to the general public.

Limitations of Current Prosthetics

• Heavy and uncomfortable to use
  
• Limited movement
• Low Responsiveness
• Very Expensive
• Low Durability lasting only a few years

Our Design

• Low Cost by using methods such as 3D printing
• High Responsiveness by improving user control
• Made of light weight & durable materials
• Enhanced movement due to light weight materials
• Comfortable to wear

 

 

 

Citations

 [1] NHS Choices, NHS, www.nhs.uk/conditions/amputation/.

[2] Pasquina, Paul F, et al. “Recent Advances in Bioelectric Prostheses.” Neurology. Clinical Practice, American Academy of Neurology, Apr. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5764448/.

[3] “The Cost of a New Limb Can Add up Over a Lifetime.” Hospital for Special Surgery, www.hss.edu/newsroom_prosthetic-leg-cost-over-lifetime.asp.