3D Printed Prosthetic Finger

Traumatic injury to the fingers and hands is a common reason for emergency room visits. According to research published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, an estimated 45,000 patients for partial hand amputation are seen annually. This is a sad truth, considering that finger loss not only comes with a functional impairment but also many psychological impacts associated with the injury, as cited in the Journal of Hand Surgery in 2008. (https://doi.org/10.1177%2F17531934070...)

Currently, there are several solutions to accommodate partial finger loss due to traumatic injury. One of the most functionally advantageous designs is the body-powered prosthetic finger. This works by utilizing what’s left of the amputation to drive a mechanism that restores the ordinary motion of the finger. It responds quickly to the user and feels natural.

Unfortunately, only a few prosthetics companies manufacture body-driven prosthetic fingers and are often made of expensive materials offered at inflated prices. A single finger can cost thousands of dollars, and are not an option for amputees without health insurance and/or other complications. A low-cost alternative is desperately needed.

The goal of this project is to design a low-cost body-powered finger prosthetic that restores finger motion and function to the user. The design should be light, durable, low-friction, and integrate off-the-shelf parts with 3D-printed components.