Proposal

These PADs are product of EnablingTheFuture.org an open-source community effort to help children and adults worldwide.  Two FAU Master’s Students overseeing this project have been asked by the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) to present a paper (March, 2016) on using 3D printers to create low cost PADs and our modifications for significantly increasing the user’s comfort.   Faculty advisors include Drs. Asghar, Engeberg and Pavlovic.

These PADs affectionately called “Bionic Gloves” allow their users to achieve simple tasks not possible beforehand.  Chad, 27, using his bionic glove, is now able to lift a gallon of water with his diminished hand. The most impressive discovery has been that continued use of the PAD has led to the strengthening of the unused, atrophied muscles of his forearm.

Tasks ambidextrous people take for granted are often daunting if not impossible for people like Chad. The second recipient of an FAU Bionic Glove was Julian, 6 years old. He successfully swung a bat and laid-down a single just 2 hours after receiving his Bionic Glove. It was the first time he could play with his brother - who is himself on a little league team.  Julian has since outgrown his first Bionic Glove and received his second hand August, 2015. Julian was honored in September by the Florida Marlins. Julian threw-out the first pitch at the Marlins’ Labor Day, 2015 home game, the video that ran on the Jumbotron can be seen here.

Even though the Bionic Glove is a simple mechanical device it allows the user to achieve about 70% total functionality for a total materials cost of less than $50. Each Bionic Glove is custom designed and printed using a 3D printer to create a device specific to each user. There are 4 versions of the Bionic Glove: Right & Left, with and without a thumb.  Each Bionic Glove can take upwards of 12 hours to 3D print.  The fingers and connective parts are interchangeable in each size, the palm and wrists (gauntlet) are not.

Children are enthusiastic about being a part of the creation of their Bionic Glove,  which promotes their desire to use the PAD on a daily basis.  They can select from roughly 25 colors and (ultimately) 4 designs. Since the unit is low cost there is no concern when they outgrow or break their Bionic Glove. Chad outgrew his first glove in 6 months. His second hand had to be 12% larger due to muscle development in the forearm (discussed above). The Bionic Glove is lightweight and easy to put on a take off so children can utilize it without parental assistance.

This project will be shared with various departments in the FAU community.The goal of this grant is to encourage an interdisciplinary and community-wide effort to provide Bionic Gloves locally, regionally and even globally.  This project needs designers as much as it needs medical (from doctors and nurses to physical and occupational therapists) and bio-medical professionals. And of course engineers from all disciplines will find a purpose for their skills - from chemical to materials to industrial engineers to name a few.

This new lab will begin to address several points laid-out in the FAU Strategic Plan for the Race to Excellence such as:

• Excellence - in teaching, research and public service

• Playing to win - and helping others win

• Innovation - striving for creative solutions and continuous improvement

And takes into account the Strategic Actions and Initiatives which calls to: (in part):

• Complement academic learning by preparing collegiate and pre-collegiate students for success in life through employability skills and life skills developed by involvement in public service, while integrating these experiences into the curriculum - This project will encourage interdisciplinary collaboration across various campuses to provide an invaluable service to the community as well as humanity.