title: Comparison of mechanical properties of silicone and PVC (polyvinylchloride) cosmetic gloves for articulating hand prostheses.
abstract: Current articulating electric and body-powered hands have a lower pinch force (15-34 N) than electric hands with stiff fingers (55-100 N). The cosmetic glove, which covers a hand prosthesis, negatively affects the mechanical efficiency of a prosthesis. The goal of this study is to mechanically compare polyvinylchloride (PVC) and silicone cosmetic gloves and quantify the stiffness of the finger joints, the required actuation energy, and the energy dissipation during joint articulation. Six cosmetic gloves, identical in size but made from different materials, were mechanically tested: three PVC and three silicone. The silicone gloves required less work and dissipated less energy during flexing. They also had a lower joint stiffness and required a lower maximum joint torque. Based on energy requirements, joint stiffness, and required joint torque, the tested silicone glove is most suitable for application on an articulating hand prosthesis.
authors.affiliation: Delft Institute of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD, Delft, the Netherlands. g.smit@tudelft.nl.
authors.forename: Gerwin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: Dick H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Plettenburg
mesh_terms: D001186:Artificial Limbs; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D018583:Pliability; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D012828:Silicones; D019415:Torque
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride