Manufacturing of a human’s hand prosthesis with electronic movable phalanges based on a CT image: An amputation case: An amputation case

In the present work, the creation of a tridimensional electronic prosthesis which intends to replace the left hand’s phalanges of a patient who suffered severe burns and needed to undergo a partial amputation surgery was performed. Parting of a CT tomography composed of 539 images, the contour delimitation, and separation of each phalanx was carried out through the usage of computerized platforms, such as 3D Slicer and Scan IP. Both software allow the user to analyze every single image in three different planes (axial, sagittal and coronal) and segment the areas of interest, in this case, the index, middle, ring and little fingers’ phalanges. Subsequently, with the support of the platform SolidWorks^©, each phalanx was detailed for its connection and posterior 3D printing, implementing an electronic mechanism capable of reproducing flexion-extension movements. The computerized final model was also submitted to mechanical force tests and force simulations based on the analysis of finite elements to ascertain the selected material’s and model’s resistance.