Development of Children’s Biomimetic Adjustable and Adaptive Myoprosthetic Hand with Sensory Feedback

Mostafa Ahmed Arafa Mohamed

Supervision Team: Dr Khaled Goher, Prof Ian Ashcroft and Prof Ruth Goodridge.

I’m a PhD student at the University of Nottingham studying Mechanical Engineering.

My research interest has been drawn into the field of Bionics, especially towards the upper limb prosthetics. I’ve been working during my MSc thesis on the development of real-time myoprosthetic control for artificial hands where I’ve been awarded a Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ain Shams University - Egypt.

Currently, I’m working on the development of a biomimetic prosthetic hand for children, focused into the inspiration from the human hand anatomy, with sensory feedback for retaining the sense of touch for the amputees.

I’ve participated in the foundation of the track of Bionics in my home university (Ain Shams University) in both research and teaching paths. I’ve participated in teaching of undergraduate courses related to Biomechanics, Bioinstrumentation, Gait Analysis and Rehabilitation Robotics. Additionally, I’ve supervised several graduation projects concerned with the development of assistive devices and prosthetics.

Mostafa tells us:

The extensive abondance of prosthetic hands by amputees especially, young aged, is significantly due to the lack of biological synergy with the human body.

Existing robotic limbs mainly couldn’t provide sensory feedback to the residual limb due to lack of sensing provided through the skin. Additionally, robotic hands are designed and built according to functional requirements rather than being designed towards acting as a mechanical replicant to the biological limb.

Mostafa continues:

My PhD research focuses on the design of a prosthetic hand inspired by the anatomical features of the human natural hand, with the use of smart control algorithms for grasp assistance and integration of sensory feedback stimulation.