Upper Extremity Jetski Prosthesis
Project Background:
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Switched from chemical engineering to mechanical engineering in the summer of 2019 and opted to take an independent research project for an advanced technical elective.
Project Summary:
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Researched, designed, and modeled multiple potential concepts for an upper extremity prosthesis to enable use of a hand-throttle operated jet ski.
Rack and Pinion Operated Pull Mechanism
Design Steps:
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Performed background research on existing standard upper amputee prostheses and specialized sport prostheses.
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Brainstormed and modeled numerous prototypes in Solidworks for informal design reviews with professor.
Challenges:
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I had not worked with prosthetics before so I had to do intensive research to understand the state of the market, limitations of technology, and essential design considerations.
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Designing for ocean jet skis added numerous challenges including a corrosive environment and an uncontrollable variable in waves.
Results:
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Successfully modeled multiple prosthesis system concepts. After evaluation, reduced viable designs to three and summarized research in final presentation.
Sliding Solid Frame with Spring Mechanism
Pulley with Push Plate Concept