Development of an Electromechanical Biomimetic Prosthesis using 3D Printing: Initial Findings for Interphalangeal and Metacarpophalangeal Joints.

Abstract

This study presents the design and preliminary evaluation of a biomimetic prosthetic hand, leveraging 3D printing. Constructed using PLA for bone structures obtained from CT scans and TPU A95 for ligaments, the prosthetic's kinematics were evaluated focusing on the index finger. Controlled by DC motors, its movements were analyzed using Kinovea software and a 240 fps camera. The results showed high correlation coefficients (R² ≥ 0.92) for abduction, adduction, and phalange movements, with mean absolute errors ranging from -3.09° to 10.56°. These findings highlight the need for precise anatomical adjustments and confirm the prosthetic's efficacy in mimicking natural hand movements. This research advances the development of accessible, functional upper limb prosthetics, and underscores directions for enhancing their precision and functionality.