Prosthetic Hand Course

Course Synopsis:

The Human Factors Engineering Laboratory, under the leadership of Principal Investigator Dr. Insoo Kim at UConn Health, has partnered with TMSCA to design a specialized 6-week curriculum. Aimed at local students in grades 6-8 in Hartford County, Connecticut, the class size is anticipated to range between 24 and 30 students. The program will incorporate the use of 3D-printed prosthetic hands and wearable sensors that closely monitor both the prosthetic’s functional movements and the user’s electrophysiological signals.

During the course, students will receive designs for 3D-printed prosthetic hands and guided tutorials on bioinstrumentation, utilizing open-source hardware and software like Arduino and Raspberry Pi. TMSCA instructors will lead the course modules, while graduate students from Dr. Kim’s laboratory will assist as teaching aides. Lab projects formulated by Dr. Kim will be included, and student assessments will be conducted in accordance with TMSCA’s internal guidelines, although input from Dr. Kim’s team will also be considered. The curriculum features a field trip to Dr. Kim’s research lab to further inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.

While numerous programs introduce K-12 students to elementary device design and 3D printing, this TMSCA curriculum aims to offer more. It seeks to apply these foundational skills to real-world challenges in both engineering and healthcare. The program is designed to be replicable in any setting equipped with the necessary staff and resources for electronics, design, and 3D printing. Through introductory and extended activities, this course aims to furnish future scientists and engineers with a broad, pertinent, and enriching learning experience.

The Learning Concepts and Objectives

Disciplinary Core Ideas Science/Engineering Practices Crosscutting Concepts
Learning Concepts ·    Engineering Design (ETS1)

·    Motion and Stabilities (PS2)

 ·    Plan and perform investigations.

·    Use mathematics and computational thinking.

·    Evaluate and convey information.

 ·    Systems and system models

·    Cause and effect

·    Engineering, technology, and applications of science
Learning Objectives ·    Identify a design problem and establish clear goals.

·    Generate multiple possible solutions. Evaluate based on pre-determined criteria and constraints.

·    Understand that design is an iterative process requiring prototypes, testing, analysis, and refining.

 ·    Plan and conduct 3D-printed prosthesis design, assembly, and testing.

·    Design circuits and systems using CAD software.

·    Apply physiological signals to prosthetic controls.

·    Use quantitative methods to analyze the functionality and efficiency of their prototypes.

 ·    Understand the interaction of the prosthetic within the larger system of the human body.

·    Grasp the connection between the prosthetic’s design or material and its functionality or user comfort.

·    Demonstrate how engineering concepts are applied to practical and usable devices.

Course Schedule:

  • 6 weeks (three 40-min classes per week)

 Grade Level: 6 to 8

 Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand physiology regarding prosthetic hands (hand anatomy and electromyogram)
  2. Explain how the engineering design process steps are conducted during each class.
  3. Describe the interaction of forces acting on the prototype during testing periods.
  4. Apply the engineering design process in creating prototype prosthetic hands to aid children in holding a cup and test them for strength.
  5. Cultivate a community-minded attitude and think about how to contribute the society with technology and science.

Course Schedule and Contents:

Weak 1 – Introduction and Motivation

  • Dr. Kim’s Lecture: Introduction to Assistive Devices
  • Engineering Design Process
  • E-NABLE and Social Engagement

Weak 2 – Hand Anatomy and Prosthetic Hand

  • Hand bones and anatomy
  • Prosthetic Hands – Medical grades to 3D printed hands
  • Brainstorming – how to design a better prosthetic hand

Week 3 – Class Projects: Introduction and Project Assignment

  • EMG Sensing (Arduino EMG sensors)
  • Finger Motion Sensing (Strain Sensors with Glove)
  • Prosthetic Hands design and motor controls

Week 4 – Class Projects: Brainstorming and Building

  • Problem Statement & Goal Setting
  • Arduino coding for sensing and control
  • Raspberry Pi for wireless communication

Weak 5 – Class Projects: Prototyping

  • Prototyping
  • Prototyping

Weak 6 – Class Project Demo

  • Troubleshooting
  • Troubleshooting and Class Project Presentation and Demo
  • Class Project Presentation and Demo

Course Projects Examples:

  1. Prosthetic Hands Design based on Hand Anatomy (Team 1 & 2)
  • Students will understand hand anatomy and the basics of prosthetic hands.
  • Students will build prosthetic hands using a 3D printer. Students can modify the existing designs.
  • Students will integrate an electromechanical system into prosthetic hands.
  1. Hands Motion Detection using Strain Sensors (Team 3)
  • Students will build a sensor system to detect prosthetic hand movements (for example, the number of grasps).
  • Students will use Arduino and Raspberry Pi to collect and transfer sensed data to a computer.
  • Commercial strain sensors, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi will be provided.
  1. Hands Motion Detection using EMG Sensors (Team 4)
  • Students will build a sensor system to detect electromyograms (for example, the number of grasps).
  • Students will use Arduino and Raspberry Pi to collect and transfer sensed data to a computer.
  • Commercial strain sensors, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi will be provided.
  1. Project Demo
  • Student teams will work together to show their class projects. Teams 3 and 4 will work with Teams 1 and 2 to build a robotic hand system mimicking real hand motions.

  Project Materials:

      Project 1 (2 teams)

  • Arduino (UNO): 2 ea
  • Battery holder: 2 ea
  • Stepper motors: 10 ea
  • Stepper motor drivers: 10 ea
  • Breadboards: 2 ea
  • Electric wires: 2 kits
  • PLA filaments: 2 ea
  • Prosthetic Hands Assembly Kits: 2 ea
  1. Project 2
  • Arduino (Lilypad): 1 ea
  • EMG sensors (MyoWare Muscle Sensor): 2 ea
  • 3M ECG electrodes: 1 pk (20 ea)
  • Bluetooth Module: 1 ea
  • Battery holder: 1 ea
  1. Project 3
  • Arduino (Lilypad): 1 ea
  • Strain Sensors: 5 ea
  • Bluetooth Module: 1 ea
  • Battery holder: 1 ea
  • Glove: 2 ea

  References:

                                    https://www.adafruit.com/product/2699

Past Courses:

2020 January – March TMSCA

2021 September – November TMSCA