A novel forceps-equivalent tool was designed and built to assist a medical student with limited dexterity in wound closure. The student's dexterity and range of motion in his non-dominant hand are limited by spastic paralysis and joint fusion at the wrist. The instrument was designed to incorporate one constant input and two preset settings in order to generate three separate and independent motions of the device. Individual components of the device were modeled using the Computer Aided Design software, Pro/Engineer, which allowed for visualization of the final assembly and the generation of numerical control codes for machining. Even though the device is a robotic arm, the sensation the user has while using traditional forceps is not eliminated. This instrument provides the mobility needed by our client with both rotational and gripping adjustment. This report documents the design process, final design specifications, and suggests improvements to this tool.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Machate, Malgorzata S.
• Spitz, David Naim

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 02D516M

Advisor

• Peura, Robert A.
• Cobb, Eben C.

Year

• 2002

Date created

• 2002-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biomedical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright