Low-cost sensor-integrated 3D-printed personalized prosthetic hands for children with amniotic band syndrome: A case study in sensing pressure distribution on an anatomical human-machine interface (AHMI) using 3D-printed conformal electrode arrays

Abstract

Interfacing anatomically conformal electronic components, such as sensors, with biology is central to the creation of next-generation wearable systems for health care and human augmentation applications. Thus, there is a need to establish computer-aided design and manufacturing methods for producing personalized anatomically conformal systems, such as wearable devices and human-machine interfaces (HMIs). Here, we show that a three-dimensional (3D) scanning and 3D printing process enabled the design and fabrication of a sensor-integrated anatomical human-machine interface (AHMI) in the form of personalized prosthetic hands that contain anatomically conformal electrode arrays for children affected by amniotic band syndrome, a common birth defect. A methodology for identifying optimal scanning parameters was identified based on local and global metrics of registered point cloud data quality. This method identified an optimal rotational angle step size between adjacent 3D scans. The sensitivity of the optimization process to variations in organic shape ( i . e ., geometry) was examined by testing other anatomical structures, including a foot, an ear, and a porcine kidney. We found that personalization of the prosthetic interface increased the tissue-prosthesis contact area by 408% relative to the non-personalized devices. Conformal 3D printing of carbon nanotube-based polymer inks across the personalized AHMI facilitated the integration of electronic components, specifically, conformal sensor arrays for measuring the pressure distribution across the AHMI ( i . e ., the tissue-prosthesis interface). We found that the pressure across the AHMI exhibited a non-uniform distribution and became redistributed upon activation of the prosthetic hand’s grasping action. Overall, this work shows that the integration of 3D scanning and 3D printing processes offers the ability to design and fabricate wearable systems that contain sensor-integrated AHMIs.

A Graphic User Interface (GUI) to build a cost-effective customizable 3D printed Prosthetic Hand

“…Since, many willing medical providers can access the 3D printing devices but they lack on the skills to personalized the prosthetic to each patient in need, and hire specialized personnel to fulfill this task could increase the cost in great manner 1,[6][7][8]16 .…”

“…For this to be a viable option for amputees in developing countries, the hand must cost less than $100 total 15 . Not taking in consideration, the cost of skilled labor in producing such medical devices as prosthetics that may be adversely affect the production cost on developing economies 6,16 .…”

A Comprehensive Review on Bio-Nanomaterials for Medical Implants and Feasibility Studies on Fabrication of Such Implants by Additive Manufacturing Technique

“…Thus, approaches for personalizing generic digital models of prosthetic components could enable the fabrication of low-cost personalized prostheses for children with amniotic band syndrome. Yuxin Tong et al demonstrated that the combination of 3D scanning with 3D printing could enable the personalization of low-cost prosthetic hands with anatomically conformal electronic interfaces for children with amniotic band syndrome [155]. The authors observed that personalization of the prosthetic interface increased the tissue-prosthesis contact area by 408% relative to the non-personalized devices.…”

Continuous Based Direct Ink Write for Tubular Cardiovascular Medical Devices

“…That technology offers a whole new range of polymeric materials in which additive manufacturing can be carried out. Employing this technique, materials like epoxy resins [ 9 , 10 ], preceramic polymers [ 7 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], natural polymers [ 3 , 15 , 16 ], or conductive composite polymers [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ] can be tailored as convenience for biomedical applications. Furthermore, it is the preferred technique for printing living cells by mixing them in hydrogels due to the high survival rate [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], in addition to the biocompatible water-rich environment that simulates the extracellular matrix (ECM) [ 27 ].…”

“…This new additive manufacturing approach is very interesting for the elaboration of more complex tissues that require a precise control of cell deposition for their subsequent interactions and development. Being able to customize or specifically tailored each application for its final user during the fabrication process adds an added-value that cannot be provided by industrialized manufacturing processes [ 19 , 28 , 29 ]. DIW has the ability to build any desired shape or construction with any material that encompasses the shear thinning property.…”