Prosthetic forearm with personalised fairings
The prosthetic forearm with personalized fairings is a tangible outcome of the PhD research of Kristof Vaes on Stigma-free product design. The tools and techniques described in the PhD dissertation - Product Stigmaticity: understanding, measuring and managing product-related stigma were applied in the master thesis (product development) of Steven Renckens. The master project ran in close cooperation with industrial promotor Jan De Cubber (V!GO-Centrum voor anaplastologie). Kristof Vaes was the academic and design promotor of the project.
Research questions.
How can designers increase user-product attachment in arm prosthetics?
Companies like UNYQ, ALLELES design studio and SUMMIT ID have successfully applied the concept of personalized covers to leg prosthetics. This prototype was the first attempt to apply a similar design intervention to prosthetic forearms. The project addresses the look and feel of the prosthetic forearm, the technical build-up and the way in which the 3D fairings can be modeled to mirror and resemble the healthy forearm.
Customizable medical devices, and prosthetic arm fairings, bring style and aesthetics to otherwise robotic prosthetics. They recreate the body’s form and impart an expression of the patient’s personality. Each fairing can be personalized with patterns, graphics and varying materials, redefining the prosthesis as fashion statement and piece of art. Furthermore these personalized fairing have proved to increase social acceptance and social wellbeing.
Impact.
After his Master thesis, Steven Renckens continued the development of the prototype within the VIGO group (Sterrebeek). The CL!CK-ON forearm prosthesis is currently for sale (upon request) through the VIGO group. gender and has been published and exhibited.