Upper  Prosthetic

 A prosthesis is an artificial prosthesis that is specially designed and assembled to make up for amputees or incomplete limb defects by means of engineering techniques and methods, also known as "prosthetics." Its main function is to replace some of the functions of the limbs, so that the amputee can restore a certain degree of self-care and work ability.

     The classification of prostheses is divided into upper limb prostheses and lower limb prostheses according to the amputation site.

    The materials used to make prostheses are mainly aluminum plates, wood, leather, plastics and metal mechanical parts. A good prosthesis must have the conditions such as good function, comfortable and convenient to wear, light and durable, and appearance similar to a healthy limb. Among the many prostheses we use, there are many different classifications and names according to the purpose, location, and control system of the prosthesis. The following is a brief introduction to the frequently used and more advanced prostheses.

(1) Decorative upper limb prosthesis: This kind of prosthesis does not have the function of self-care for work and life. The main function is to make up for the appearance of the upper limbs and maintain the balance of the limbs. Mainly used for upper arm high amputation, shoulder joint disconnection, shoulder girdle disconnection

2) Tool hand: It is specially designed and made for upper limb amputees, and it is mainly composed of two parts. One is the arm tube installed on the residual limb, the arm tube is fixed on the residual limb, and the end of the arm tube has a tool adapter. The second is a variety of labor tools and daily life tools, such as hammers, screwdrivers, knives, multi-purpose hooks and other labor tools, toothbrushes, spoons and other life tools. Through the adapter, various tools and living utensils can be replaced at any time according to needs, and to a certain extent, the patient's working ability and self-care ability can be restored. However, the tool hand does not have the normal physical shape of a person, and the range of use is also very limited.

(3) Traction-type mechanical prosthetic hand: This kind of prosthetic hand is also called motorized prosthetic hand and mechanical prosthetic hand, which is a substitute for human hand. This kind of artificial hand relies on the coordinated movement of the user's own residual limbs and healthy limbs to drive the traction cable, manipulate and control the opening and holding of the artificial hand, and realize the action of grasping the extracted object. This kind of prosthetic hand is mainly suitable for the disabled forearm and upper arm. Because it is simple in structure, reliable in performance, easy to master, easy to use, and low in price, it is more commonly used in China.

4) Electric prosthesis: The electric prosthesis is an externally powered prosthesis, which relies on a small electromechanical drive system to complete the predetermined movements of each joint of the prosthetic hand, so that the disabled can basically take care of themselves and participate in appropriate work. This kind of prosthesis is suitable for forearm or even full arm defect.

(5) EMG prosthesis: EMG prosthesis is a kind of external power type prosthesis directly innervated by the cerebral nerves. It is a product of modern high-tech technologies such as precision machinery, microelectronics and technology, materials science, and physiology and medicine. The control system of this kind of prosthesis sends out electromyographic signals when the brain nerves innervate the muscles of the limbs to contract and transmit them to the skin surface. After the control system receives the signal, it drives the micro-motor to produce the action. It can generally complete three sets of movements: finger extension and flexion, wrist extension and flexion, and wrist rotation inside and outside. It is highly intuitive when used and has good bionic effects. It is the development direction of modern prostheses and is suitable for the disabled with front buttocks defects.

(6) Voice-activated prosthesis: Voice-activated prosthesis is an externally powered prosthesis that uses language as a control signal. The characteristic of this kind of prosthesis is that there are many human language signals, so it produces many movements, and it is easier to meet the needs of the disabled to take care of themselves. Its advantage lies in that it is not restricted by factors such as the degree of disability of the amputation patient, the length of the amputation time and other factors, and is especially suitable for the disabled with upper arm, full arm, or double arm, thigh, and double leg amputation. But its disadvantage is that it is easy to be restricted by environmental factors due to the sound control of the prosthesis, and it is also easy to be interfered by the language of others.

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