AN INDIGENOUS DESIGNED EXCURSION AMPLIFIER FOR SHOULDER DISARITICULATION PROSTHESIS

EDUCATION

Background: The main problem with shoulder disarticulation prosthesis is to generate sufficient muscular force for the prosthetic operation due to higher level of amputation. Such amputee lost anatomical shoulder joint that restrict active shoulder range of motion and ultimately lack excursion. The excursion amplifier makes it possible to convert available muscular force and ROM into additional excursion. A body-powered prosthesis becomes more effective when both excursion and force are used efficiently.Considering this designed and developed excursion amplifier, which can convert a small force with large excursion with less energy expenditure & improve prosthesis function and user satisfaction. Objective: This study aimed to design an Indigenous Excursion Amplifier for Shoulder Disariticulation Prosthesis which will provide more excursion convenient for actuation for shoulder disarticulation/ higher level of upper extremity prosthetic control. Study design: Single-Case study Methods: A 31-years-old adult male unilateral shoulder-disarticulation amputee was reported to the institute and was fitted with the newly Indigenous Excursion Amplifier in the Shoulder Disariticulation Prosthesis & improve prosthesis function and user satisfaction. The excursion measurement test was conducted with the newly designed excursion amplifier. Results: Santschi WR, 1958: Study suggests that to perform most efficient function of SD prosthesis the minimal excursion 2:1 ratio is required. Based on such studies the newly developed combined excursion amplifier is designed such that it provides 2.5:1 excursion ratio, i.e when 3.2 cm excursion generated by patient it converted to 8 cm excursion displacements of S-lever design and it sufficient for full operation of Shoulder disarticulation prosthesis. Conclusion: The basic idea of this new designed born to overcome the limitation of the prosthetic operation, acceptance and comfort. To obtain a better efficacy of the shoulder disarticulation prosthetic management and to avoid the patient rejection, we have combined the S- lever & Pulley type excursion amplifier. In this way it has increased the amount of cable excursion with a ratio of 2.5:1, therefore patient can generate more excursion with an application of least amount of force.

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