| NSF Org: |
TI Translational Impacts |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | December 18, 2017 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | December 18, 2017 |
| Award Number: | 1745999 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Nancy Kamei
TI Translational Impacts TIP Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships |
| Start Date: | January 1, 2018 |
| End Date: | December 31, 2018 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $225,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $225,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
9999 BUSINESSPARK AVE SAN DIEGO CA US 92131-1174 (773)888-3252 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
60 Hazelwood Dr Urbana IL US 61820-7460 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | SBIR Phase I |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.084 |
ABSTRACT
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will primarily benefit the 11.4 million people with hand amputations worldwide. By making and selling a prosthetic hand at a price lower than competing devices, the proposed prosthetic hand is expected to be more affordable for people with upper limb amputations. Increasing robustness by incorporating compliant materials should allow patients to use their hands longer without worry of damage. By incorporating pressure sensors, the team expects to enable patients to precisely manipulate many different types of objects. Two former war veterans with amputations have already been enabled with early versions of the proposed technology. Through the low cost of the device and the advanced features unique to the hand, the goal of this project is to help the millions of hand amputees worldwide to regain independence and confidence in their lives through innovative prosthetic devices.
The proposed project involves development and evaluation of an affordable, robust myoelectric prosthetic hand that provides natural, compliant grasps with pressure feedback to users. Making the hand compliant will require the use of soft, compliant materials not used in currently available commercial prosthetic devices. The design and materials used in the hand must be robust enough to last at least two years of daily usage. Finally, sensorizing the hand will require placing pressure sensors and electronics in the fingers that also need to withstand impacts. Feasibility will be established through the performance of each design iteration in accelerated life tests (150,000 flex/extend cycles) and human subject experiments (performance after activities of daily living and motor control tasks). The capabilities of the Phase I prototype will be extended in Phase II for delivery of a complete myoelectric prosthetic hand system that is ready for clinicians to use with patients.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
In this project we developed an affordable, robust myoelectric hand that provides natural, compliant grasps with pressure feedback to users. To make the hand compliant, we used soft rubber and silicone materials not used in currently available commercial prosthetic hands. The design and materials are robust enough to last at least two years of daily usage. Finally, we sensorized the hand by placing pressure sensors and electronics in the fingers. We established feasibility by successfully performing accelerated life tests (150,000 flex/extend cycles) and human subject experiments (1-week home trials and improved performance in motor control tasks). The capabilities of the prototype developed in this project serve as the foundation for a complete multiarticulated prosthetic hand that is ready for clinicians to use with patients right out of the box.
This project potentially benefits over 10 million people with hand amputations in the worldwide. By making and selling a prosthetic hand at a price lower than competing devices, PSYONIC's hand will be much more affordable for people with upper limb amputations. Increasing robustness by incorporating compliant materials allows patients to use their hands longer without worry of damage. By incorporating pressure sensors, PSYONIC enables patients to precisely manipulate many different types of objects. Specifically, this project enabled a former US Army veteran as well as an 80-year-old man with a triple amputation to grasp hollow eggshells while blindfolded. Given the low cost of the device and the advanced features unique to the hand, PSYONIC hopes to help the 10 million plus people with hand amputations worldwide regain independence and confidence in their lives through our innovative prosthetic devices.
Last Modified: 01/30/2019
Modified by: Aadeel Akhtar
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