HAZEEZ OLAYEMI IDOWU 

18/30GP032

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

BME 411

 

                                    REPORTS ON PROSTHETIC FINGER

Abstract 

The concealment of amputation through prosthesis usage can shield an amputee from social stigma and help improve the emotional healing process especially at the early stages of hand or finger loss.

Psychological impact gives more affects to the patient's desire to make a finger prosthesis. Retention is an important factor in the fabrication of finger prostheses. a fairly simple way is to use the vacuum effect which can be obtained from modifying the stone model of the finger. This method can be used to fabricate finger prostheses with simple materials and will reduce costs.

Keywords: Finger Amputation; RTV Silicone; Finger Prosthesis; Medicine

 

Introduction 

One of the most common types of hand loss is partial or complete finger amputation [1]. The loss of one finger has a significant impact on the body image, self-esteem, and psychological health of the amputee [2]. The fabrication of a finger prosthesis provides a profound psychological improvement for the patient. For most patients, aesthetic appearance has a more important role than function [3]. The prosthesis' success is dependent on precision in planning, printing, modeling, and materials. Finger prostheses are challenging because of the stability and retention required [4]. There are a variety of retention options available, including implants and adhesives. An alternative method that combined suction and vacuum was tried and proven to be highly effective [5]. This case report will explain the step of fabricating silicone finger prosthetics for a patient who has lost a fingertip due to a traffic accident. This treatment selection is the most cost-effective option. The basic material to be used is medical grade silicone and retention will be obtained from a passive vacuum by modifying the patient's finger stone model.

 

In medicine, a prosthesis is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part, which may be lost through trauma, disease, or a condition present at birth (congenital disorder). Prostheses are intended to restore the normal functions of the missing body part Prostheses can be created by hand or with computer-aided design (CAD), a software interface that helps creators design and analyze the creation with computer-generated 2-D and 3-D graphics as well as analysis and optimization tools.

Prosthetic fingers are made from silicone, with the finger nail generally made from different colour combinations of acrylic. Most prosthetic finger are simply suspended by means of suction created between the prosthesis and the residual finger stump. As the prosthesis is pushed onto the residual finger, all air is expelled between the silicone and the skin, which provides quite a secure and reliable suspension.

Silicone finger prostheses – provide basic functional support by allowing improved opposition grip between the amputated fingers and the thumb. Objects can therefore be gripped between the prosthetic fingers and the thumb.

 

1. Apply petroleum jelly on the finger to be used as a pattern. This is to minimize the corrosive effect of the tiler's silicone on the skin. It also aids the removal of the mold from the finger.

2. Using the spatula, apply silicone on the finger in layers, gradually, until a thickness of about 3mm is achieved. The individual applying the silicone should protect his/her hands with latex gloves to prevent them from being corroded by the silicone.

3. Wait for the silicone to dry, to a jelly-like consistency. This should take about thirty minutes.

4. Carefuly remove the silicone mold from the finger, taking care not to fold the mold.

5. Mix gelatin, glycerin and water in the ratio 2:2:1 respectively in a pot.

6. Using low heat from the camp gas, heat the gelatin, glycerin and water mixture to remove lumps and bubbles.

While heating, turn the mixture thoroughly. If it becomes dry, add a little water and mix properly.

8. Add poster colour to obtain a shade similar to that of the human skin.

9. The resulting mixture should be lump-free, bubble-free, moderately viscous and able to flow from the spoon.

10. Pour in the mixture into the silicone mold to form the cast and leave it in for twelve hours to solidify.

11. Separate the mold from the cast. If the cast cannot come out with ease, use a razor blade to cut the mold away.

12. A pair of scissors can be used to trim the cast to a desired length.

13. The resulting cast is a prosthetic finger.

 

Losing a part of the thumb may have a small effect on how the hand functions. It has the smallest impact on hand function than if the other finger is lost]. However, the traumatic amputation will not only have a functional effect but also have a psychological effect on the patient. Moreover, the visual appearance of an amputated finger is more important to 

most patients than its functio. Silicone finger prostheses are a potential option for replacing amputated fingers because they provide comfort, improved function, psychological benefits, and a pleasing aesthetic result. Based on the process of cross-linking of polymers, silicone is divided into two classes, RTV (Room temperature vulcanized) and HTV (Heat temperature vulcanized). The success of a prosthetic restoration is primarily determined by its retention. Various methods of obtaining retention of finger prostheses have been demonstrated by clinicians, from the simplest, using adhesive, to the latest treatment, which is using implant retention. 

 

The loss of a body part is a tragic event. Although only a few portions are missing and may have little effect on organ function or our activities, it could have a significant psychological impact. Even though we can only employ very basic materials and techniques, fabrication of finger prosthetics must be performed. Retention from passive vacuum fit can be used to fabricate finger prostheses with simple materials and will reduce costs.