title: Space suit glove design with advanced metacarpal phalangeal joints and robotic hand evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One area of space suits that is ripe for innovation is the glove. Existing models allow for some fine motor control, but the power grip--the act of grasping a bar--is cumbersome due to high torque requirements at the knuckle or metacarpal phalangeal joint (MCP). This area in particular is also a major source of complaints of pain and injury as reported by astronauts.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper explores a novel fabrication and patterning technique that allows for more freedom of movement and less pain at this crucial joint in the manned space suit glove. The improvements are evaluated through unmanned testing, manned testing while depressurized in a vacuum glove box, and pressurized testing with a robotic hand.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MCP joint flex score improved from 6 to 6.75 (out of 10) in the final glove relative to the baseline glove, and torque required for flexion decreased an average of 17% across all fingers. Qualitative assessments during unpressurized and depressurized manned testing also indicated the final glove was more comfortable than the baseline glove.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quantitative results from both human subject questionnaires and robotic torque evaluation suggest that the final iteration of the glove design enables flexion at the MCP joint with less torque and more comfort than the baseline glove.
authors.affiliation: Final Frontier Design, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Southern
authors.forename: Dustyn P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Nikolay
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moiseev
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Joo H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D018478:Extravehicular Activity; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000293:injuries; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011312:Pressure; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012371:Robotics; D019442:Space Suits; D019415:Torque