Development of a prosthetic device for swimming based on engineering design approach

Abstract

Engineering design with innovative characteristics that offer additional benefits to the customer is a process consisting of complex activities that require research, planning, and systematic methods. A prominent product development process has been driven by technological innovations used to assist the disabled in acquiring greater autonomy and performing daily tasks. Assistive product development has ensured the disabled more excellent prospects, contributing to providing or expanding the functional abilities of people with disabilities, resulting in the promotion of independent living and inclusion. This paper aims to develop a prosthetic device to aid patients with hand agenesis in practicing swimming based on the engineering design approach. The assistive product development was made based on the four phases: (i) demand perception, (ii) product projection, (iii) product characterization, and (iv) optimization. In addition, it was used for Monte Carlo simulation, multivariate analysis, and tolerance interval analysis techniques in the product development phases. We developed this approach as an alternative to classical engineering design used in the additive manufacturing process for prosthetic devices. The assistive product set aims to significantly stimulate the hand agenesis patient in physical activity, representing one of the doors of entry for social inclusion, providing a better quality of physical and emotional life for the individual with a disability.