Students from Perm National Research Polytechnic University (PNIPU) have created mechanical and bionic limb prostheses. The parts for them can be printed on a 3D printer, the university's press service reported.
The developers have created a 3D model and prototype of a mechanical active traction hand prosthesis, which is driven by muscle power transmitted through a lever and cable system.
The prosthesis is lightweight, does not require power sources or complex electronics, while maintaining basic functionality. 3D printing is used, among other things, to manufacture components. Over the next two years, the developers intend to increase their share to 95% by using a five-axis printing principle with reinforcement of polymer layers. This manufacturing process will ensure greater lightness and strength of the parts of each device.
Students are also developing a model of a bionic forearm prosthesis that has a neurointerface capable of reading the electrical activity of the motor area of the cerebral cortex. The received signal is transmitted in digital form to the prosthesis, which, in turn, uses a neural network to repeat the desired gesture.
These solutions will take the field of prosthetics in Russia to a new level, improving the quality and technological effectiveness of the products produced. The implementation of mass production of upper limb prostheses will increase their availability.
The device developers founded the company General Bionic (J Bee LLC) for further development of the project. The study was conducted during the operation of the Prototyping Center of the PNIPU Business Incubator.
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