Development of cost-effective myoelectric prosthesis

Overview

This project aims to develop a cost-effective, 3D-printed myoelectric prosthetic hand using custom PET-based filament made from recycled PET bottles. Our solution integrates sustainability and innovation by providing an affordable prosthetic device while reducing plastic waste, making the project eco-friendly and accessible.

Features

• Low-Cost Prosthetic Hand: Designed to be affordable for individuals who need prosthetic devices but may not have access due to high costs.
• 3D-Printed Components: Customizable prosthetic parts manufactured using 3D printing technology.
• Sustainable Materials: Utilizes recycled PET bottles as filament, promoting environmental sustainability.
• Myoelectric Control: Allows users to control the hand with electrical signals generated by their muscles, improving functionality.

Benefits

Social

• Accessibility: Provides affordable prosthetics to underprivileged communities.
• Customization: Personalization of prosthetic parts tailored to individual needs.

Economic

• Cost-Effective Manufacturing: Use of 3D printing and recycled materials significantly lowers production costs.
• Job Creation: Potential for growth in the recycling and 3D printing sectors.

Environmental

• Plastic Waste Reduction: Recycles PET bottles to create filament, reducing landfill waste.
• Eco-Friendly: Lowers carbon footprint through sustainable production methods.

Potential Impact

• Enhanced Accessibility: Makes prosthetics more affordable for a larger population.
• Improved Quality of Life: Offers a functional, customizable prosthetic hand, increasing independence for users.
• Sustainability: Contributes to environmental preservation by recycling plastic and reducing waste.

Installation & Setup

1. 3D Printing the Parts:

   • Use the provided STL files in the model folder for 3D printing the prosthetic hand parts.
   • Load custom PET filament into your 3D printer.

2. Assembling the Prosthetic Hand:

   • Follow the assembly guide to connect the printed components.

3. Myoelectric Integration:

   • Connect the myoelectric sensors to the microcontroller and flash it with the provided code (/src).
   • Program the hand using Arduino.

Future Developments

• Advanced Myoelectric Features: Introducing more precise control mechanisms.
• Further Material Research: Investigating other sustainable materials for enhanced durability.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please submit a pull request or open an issue to suggest improvements or report bugs.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.