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One problem that prostheses present is that by lacking sensitivity, they can become damaged when exposed to objects emitting high temperatures and consequently burn the user. To avoid this, the Protesa group was given the task of designing sensors to warn prosthesis users of heat excess.
These sensors are mostly made of recyclable PET [polyethylene terephalate] material, making them lighter, but with the ability to lift up to eight kilograms, said Carlos Perez Roque, project leader and student of Engineering Mechatronics at the Technological University of Mexico (UNITEC).
"The temperature is calibrated to the human body, 35 degrees centigrade, to prevent a burn on the stump if that amount is exceeded. The sensors distributed in the hand, stump and arm of the prosthesis are connected to a device, which communicates through vibrations," he added.
When the prosthesis detects heat, it transforms thermal energy into electricity and activates the vibration motor located on the stump. Then the hand closes automatically as a protective reflex to prevent a burn.
Current sensors are 30 mm in length, and the design requires placing 15 in the hand, and another 25 along the arm to give full heat sensitivity to the prosthesis. Moreover, the price of the prosthesis ranges from 2,000 dollars just for hand and wrist to 2,500 for the entire limb.
For now, Perez Roque said, there are four prototypes that have undergone quality tests using a special bracelet placed on the arm for mobility and sensitivity of the prosthesis to be evaluated.
(Score: 2) by physicsmajor on Friday August 14 2015, @08:08PM
What is cheaper and more robust: a complicated set of electronic sensors, which all have to work and then the user has to understand and react to, or simply buffering heat conductive components with an insulating piece of durable plastic?
I seriously doubt this system is optimal or even necessary.
(Score: 2) by physicsmajor on Friday August 14 2015, @08:13PM
It's even worse than I thought. They automatically force the hand closed if too much heat is detected.
That's much worse than having no sensors! So, if a user accidentally palmed a hot soldering iron, this prosthesis would automatically grab it with a death grip!
(Score: 2) by tibman on Friday August 14 2015, @08:23PM
Haven't read the article but i agree with your assessment. You should release (open the hand) when grabbing something hot.
SN won't survive on lurkers alone. Write comments.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Gravis on Friday August 14 2015, @08:24PM
PET = polyethylene terephalate
seriously editors, a helping hand would be nice for acronyms that mere mortals dont know. you dont even have to change the text, just use the acronym tag. [w3schools.com]
(Score: 2) by skullz on Friday August 14 2015, @08:33PM
"a helping hand"
Maybe the editors didn't grab onto the acronym for fear of getting burned. Lost their grip on the editing process. Lose fingers... I'll stop now.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 14 2015, @08:53PM
Recyclability markings and common uses. [blogspot.com]
USA abbreviation [complydirect.com]
Prime characteristic: cheap
-- gewg_
(Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Saturday August 15 2015, @01:34AM
Knowing that PET stands for "polyethylene terephalate" helps mere mortals know what it is?
Washington DC delenda est.
(Score: 2) by Gravis on Saturday August 15 2015, @09:15AM
from the name and my minimal knowledge of chemistry, i know it's a chemical compound and with google/wikipedia i can know much more. writing just "PET" provides neither meaning nor context.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 15 2015, @09:50AM
I thought most people knew PET was a type of plastic. I didn't know what the expanded form was (and no doubt I will forget it soon), but the expanded form doesn't really provide any greater information to the average person. If I do want to find out more about it, I'll be looking it up either way.
(Score: 2) by t-3 on Saturday August 15 2015, @04:11PM
The only time I've ever seen PET used was in manga/anime. Most Americans have probably never heard of it unless they work with plastic.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 14 2015, @09:06PM
"Prosthesis" is singular and doesn't match "are".
-- gewg_
(Score: 2) by jimshatt on Friday August 14 2015, @09:26PM
(Score: 3, Insightful) by wonkey_monkey on Friday August 14 2015, @10:41PM
It's odd that the word starts with "pros" instead of "pro"
Instead of? It starts with "pros" and it starts with "pro."
systemd is Roko's Basilisk
(Score: 2) by jimshatt on Sunday August 16 2015, @07:42PM