Improving Quality of Life via Cost-Effective Prosthetic Design Project

This project focuses on designing cost-effective prosthetics to improve the quality of life for amputees, specifically those with upper limb loss. The project's objective is to create high-quality prosthetic replacements using computer-based technology and advanced materials while keeping production costs low. The approach involves designing multifunctional prosthetics that can be adapted for different parts of the body, utilizing angle adjustments and computational analysis for stress distribution. The design includes options for electrical or cable-driven systems, catering to different affordability levels, and a ratchet system for children. The project also includes a budget plan that shows the costs associated with different prosthetic types. The project aims to provide amputees with the functionality they need based on their financial and physiological needs. The provided references include sources on quality of life after maxillectomy, prosthetic cost projections, and low-cost artificial limbs.

Running head: PROSTHETIC
Improving Quality of Life via Supplying Cost Effective Prosthetics to the Amputees
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Project Title:...............................................................................................................................2
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Project Objective........................................................................................................................2
Approach and Methods..............................................................................................................3
Budget Plan................................................................................................................................3
References..................................................................................................................................5

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Project Title:
Improving Quality of Life via Supplying Cost Effective Prosthetics to the Amputees
Introduction
Amputation is described as a process of removal of body’s extremity either via
surgery or in response to trauma. If amputation occurs as a result of the surgical outcome then
it is primarily occurs due to the control of pain or to inhibit the disease process via removing
the affected limb. Traumatic amputation on the other hand can be defined catastrophic work
and is the major driving reason behind disability. Amputation lowers the self-esteem, social
isolation, crates body image problems, increase the rate o depression vulnerability and sense
of stigmatization. Thus, amputation hampers the quality of life and well being of the
individuals. Amputation of limbs is common in resent society and is psychologically
stressful. The loss of upper limb has greater psychological impact than the loss of lower limb
and creates job related problems. Apart from employment, people also loose several physical
abilities to perform the daily task, which were previously taken for granted. As the time
passes by, the individual gradually cope up with the situation but in doing this, they loss few
of their valuable years in life (Chigurupati et al., 2013).
Project Objective
The main objective of this project is to improve the quality of life of the amputees
who are suffering from the upper limb loss via designing cost-effective prosthetic.
Application of sophisticated computer based technology and advanced quality materials
enable the designing of high-quality prosthetic replacements. The proper applications of
sophisticated computer technology along with the use of technologically improved materials
enable the production of quality prosthetic replacements. Such replacements score high both

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in functional and esthetic sense. The primary prerequisite behind the successful use of the
prostheses is, adequately shaped stump. This can easily be achieved via employing new
operative technique popular in the field of extremity amputation (WNYC 2017).
Approach and Methods
The main challenge faced while designing a prosthetic is the cost of the material that
is used for designing the prosthetic and the cost required for the design of the product. To
keep the cost of production low, multifunctional prosthetics will be designed. Human
forearm, upper arm, lower arm, thigh and lower portion of the leg are quite similar. The
project aims to alter the angle with different plates and adjust the size accordingly. The
project also plans to perform computational analysis for the stress distribution. Human body
has certain degree of uniformity and this uniformity will make the substitution easier for the
different parts of the body.
The prosthetic of the upper arm will be designed as a platform. Inside the hand, there
will be one hollow space. This space will be either wired with motors for the patients who
want access to the electric system or electrical conductivity. People, who cannot afford
electrical access, can avail a cable-driven system. They just need to swap out the motors with
the help of special cartridge. For children, ratchet system will be designed with the help of
meshed gears. It will help them to position the hand on their own (WNYC 2017).
Budget Plan
Name Cost
Partial hand $18,703
Wrist $20,329
Transradial $59,664

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Trnashumeral $61,655
Shoulder $62,271
This project will help the patient to access the functionality they want based on either their
financial affordability and physiological need ( David K. Blough 2017).

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References
Chigurupati, R., Aloor, N., Salas, R. and Schmidt, B.L., 2013. Quality of life after
maxillectomy and prosthetic obturator rehabilitation. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial
Surgery, 71(8), pp.1471-1478.
David K. Blough, M. (2017). Prosthetic cost projections for servicemembers with major limb
loss from. [online] Rehab.research.va.gov. Available at:
https://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/10/474/blough.html [Accessed 24 Sep. 2017].
WNYC. (2017). Students Design High Tech, Low Cost Artificial Limbs. [online] Available at:
http://www.wnyc.org/story/how-low-cost-make-artificial-limbs/ [Accessed 24 Sep. 2017].