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Initial Consultation/Evaluation:
The first step in designing and building a myoelectric arm prosthesis begins with the gathering of information during the initial consultation/evaluation. During this visit to the prosthetist, you, as parents, will have an opportunity to ask questions and express all the concerns you have regarding your child's future as a wearer of an electronic hand or bionic arm. It's a time to get to know your prosthetist, and also a time for your prosthetist to become better acquainted with you and your child. You will most likely be shown various kinds of pediatric prostheses with different types of electronic hands and control systems that may be used by your child. The prosthetist will also examine your child, and take some preliminary measurements, in order to get some idea of what type of electronic components your child may require. At this time, your child may also be evaluated for the strength and location of the necessary myoelectric signal(s), that will be used to control the artificial electric hand .
Recording Measurements and Making the Plaster Mold:
The next step in designing and building an electronic limb involves the recording of measurements, both of the normal limb and of the residual limb. During this visit, a plaster mold of your child's residual limb will be made from which the prosthetist will create the model for the prosthetic socket.
Transparent Test Socket Analysis:
The next step in the development process involves the creation of the plaster model from which the prosthetic socket can be fabricated. The prosthetist will fill the previous negative mold with plaster in order to create a positive model of your child's residual limb. After making this positive plaster model, the prosthetist will vacuum form a sheet of transparent plastic over the model in order to create a "see through" test socket. At this point, your child will return to the prosthetist's office to have the transparent test socket evaluated.
The purpose of using a transparent test socket is to make sure that the design of your child's prosthetic socket will be comfortable to wear, and to also provide adequate suspension so that the prosthesis will stay in position while your child is using the prosthesis.
The test socket can be modified by heating the plastic in order to change the shape in those areas that may be either too loose or too tight for comfort or suspension. Occasionally, a second or third test socket may be necessary in those cases where providing an adequate fit proves to be more challenging. Once it has been determined that the test socket is fitting properly, a weight is attached to the test socket that will simulate the final weight of the finished prosthesis. This will be worn by your child for a period of at least four to eight hours to "test" the comfort and suspension of the prosthetic socket design. This also gives parents the opportunity to learn how to put on and take off the prosthetic socket, and to evaluate their child's reaction to wearing the weighted test socket.
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Site Selection
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