Ipsilateral Scapular Cutaneous Anchor System

An alternative for the harness in body-powered upper-limb prostheses

Journal article (2018)

Authors

M. Hichert Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
D.H. Plettenburg Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Research Group
Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2017 M. Hichert, D.H. Plettenburg
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0309364617691624
More Info
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Published Date

2018

Language

English

Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Biomechanical Engineering

Research Group

Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control

Abstract

Background: Body-powered prosthesis users frequently complain about the poor cosmesis and comfort of the traditional shoulder harness. The Ipsilateral Scapular Cutaneous Anchor System offers an alternative, but it remains unclear to what extent it affects the perception and control of cable operation forces compared to the traditional shoulder harness.
Objective: To compare cable force perception and control with the figure-of-nine harness versus the Ipsilateral Scapular Cutaneous Anchor System and to investigate force perception and control at different force levels.
Study design: Experimental trial.
Methods: Ten male able-bodied subjects completed a cable force reproduction task at four force levels in the range of 10–40 N using the figure-of-nine harness and the Anchor System. Perception and control of cable operating forces were quantified by the force reproduction error and the force variability.
Results: In terms of force reproduction error and force variability, the subjects did not behave differently when using the two systems. The smallest force reproduction error and force variability were found at the smallest target force level of 10 N.
Conclusion: The Anchor System performs no differently than the traditional figure-of-nine harness in terms of force perception and control, making it a viable alternative. Furthermore, users perceive and control low operation forces
better than high forces.