Prosthetic Hand | Biosenors Research Group

Course Synopsis:

Human Factors Engineering Laboratory (PI: Dr. Insoo Kim) at UConn Health and TMSCA co-developed a 6-week course curriculum targeting local grade 6-8 students (estimated class size: 24 ~ 30) in Hartford County in Connecticut involving 3D printed prosthetic hands and close-coupled wearable sensors to monitor functional movement of prosthetic hands and user electrophysiological signals.

In the class, students will be provided with 3D printed prosthetic hand designs and a tutorial design of bioinstrumentation using open-source hardware and software such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi. The TMSCA instructor will teach the class module to the students while Dr. Kim’s graduate students will serve as teaching assistants in the class. The students will also do lab projects, proposed by Dr. Kim, during the course. The student’s performance will be evaluated based on TMSCA’s internal policy, while Dr. Kim’s group will also participate in the evaluation process. The class module will include a field trip to Dr. Kim’s research laboratory to inspire the engineers and scientists of tomorrow.

Although there are many programs that introduce K-12 students to the basics of device design and 3D printing, the proposed curriculum for TMSCA will go beyond that. It will apply those skills directly to a pressing set of challenges in engineering and healthcare. This provides the opportunity to expand this experience to any number of locations that have the staff, equipment, and facilities for electronics, design, and 3D printing. By then designing lead-in content and activities as well as extension activities, this study will provide teachers and K-12 students, who are tomorrow’s scientists and engineers, with a rich, relevant, and rewarding set of experiences.

Course Schedule:

Jan 27, 2020 ~ Mar 13, 2020 (6 weeks, no class in the week of Feb 17)
3 classes per week (40 min per class)

Grade Level: 6 to 8

Learning Objectives:

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

Course Syllabus:

Weak 1 – Introduction and Motivation

1/28: Dr. Kim’s Lecture: Introduction to Assistive Devices
1/29: Engineering Design Process
1/30: E-NABLE and Social Engagement

Weak 2 – Hand Anatomy and Prosthetic Hand

2/4: Hand bones and anatomy
2/5: Prosthetic Hands – Medical grades to 3D printed hands
2/6: Brainstorming – how to design a better prosthetic hand

Week 3 – Class Projects: Introduction and Project Assignment

2/11: EMG Sensing (Arduino EMG sensors)
2/12: Finger Motion Sensing (Strain Sensors with Glove)
2/13: Prosthetic Hands design and motor controls

Week 4 – Class Projects: Brainstorming and Building

2/25: Problem Statement & Goal Setting
2/26: Arduino coding for sensing and control
2/27: Raspberry Pi for wireless communication

Weak 5 – : Class Projects: Prototyping

3/3: Prototyping
3/4: Prototyping
3/5: Kim’s Lab tour

Weak 6 – Class Project Demo

3/10: Troubleshooting
3/11: Troubleshooting and Class Project Presentation and Demo
3/12: Class Project Presentation and Demo (Class tour)

Course Projects:

Prosthetic Hands Design based on Hand Anatomy (Team 1 & 2)

Students will understand hands anatomy and basics of prosthetic hands.
Students will build prosthetic hands using 3D printer. Students can modify the existing designs.
Students will integrate an electromechanical system to prosthetic hands.

Hands Motion Detection using Strain Sensors (Team 3)

Students will build a sensor system to detect prosthetic hand movements (for example, number of grasp).
Student 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.

Hands Motion Detection using EMG Sensors (Team 4)

Students will build a sensor system to detect electromyogram (for example, number of grasp).
Student 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.

Project Demo

Student teams will work together to show their class projects. Team 3 and 4 will work with Team 1 and 2 to build a robotic hand system mimicking real hand motions.

Project Materials: