Resumen de Definición de un índice de funcionalidad y realimentación de esfuerzos en prótesis de mano
The general objective of this doctoral thesis is the characterization of the hand prosthesis to study and develop a methodology for prosthesis evaluation and, in this way, to contribute to further design improvements. With this goal, the work has been oriented to the definition of an quantifiable indicator that allows the evaluation of the attributes considered as the most adequate to consider in the design of new hand prosthesis. This study has motivated, in turn, the evaluation of the way the tactile pressure and force of grasping can be fed back to the prosthesis user, using electro-stimulation to restore the perception of the lost prehensile sensations caused by the missing member. The thesis considers both, scientific and technical aspects. The scientific aspect is based on concepts of the areas artificial robotic-hands, and rehabilitation learning starting from statistical analysis of experimental results. These concepts are used for the prosthesis evaluation and of the learning of the system of feedback of the perception. On the other hand, in the technical aspect, the foundations for their development are framed in the areas of electronic technology, computer science and processing of biomedical signals. The scientific specific objectives were centered, in the first place, in determining whether it is possible to establish the most relevant parameters in the evaluation of the functionality of prosthesis, those which are evaluated on the commonly used prosthesis in rehabilitation as well as those more advanced but still in their experimental phase. The result of this study has been the definition of an index of functionality. The second scientific objective derives from the analysis of controlability of the prosthesis by the user itself.
