DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF RAF PROSTHETIC LEG.
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 INTRODUCTION.
In 1500s, father of modern amputation and prosthetic, Ambroise Parè, introducing
and fashioning purely functioning prosthetics for soldiers coming off the battlefield.
In ancient time, prosthetics mostly made of combinations of wood, metal, glue and
leather up to 20th century. Moving on forward, cables, gears, cranks and springs used
to make an improvement on prosthetic but still needed to be adjusted manually.
During 1900s, manufacturers taking a big leap by replacing wood and leather for
plastics and artificial materials to improve the functionality of prosthetics. Prosthetics
serve a vital function in enhancing the quality of life for individuals who have
experienced limb loss or limb impairment.
There are several categorized level of amputation of lower extremity prostheses
such as Transfemoral (Above-knee) and Transtibial (Below-knee). Focusing on
transtibial, which type of replacement for the limb below knee, which allows patients
to retain the use of their knee. The prosthetic socket serves as the primary link
between the residual limb and the prosthesis, distributing the residual limb’s weight
evenly. Patients are required rehabilitation to attain optimal mobility because the feet
on transtibial prostheses do not often move.
In Malaysia, physical disability category recorded the highest registration of
245,015 persons (Ministry of Health Malaysia, 2022). Therefore, the inclination of leg
handicapped occurred. A study conducted by the University of Malaya had shown
that the prevalence for disability was 94.9 per thousand of the population and
handicapping conditions 18.3 per thousand (Osman Ali, 1989). This shown that the
increasing demands of prosthetic to help the disabled.
In order to produce a better, cheaper and a larger scale production of prosthetics the
world of engineering stepping up the game. There are many variety of method to
produce prosthetic limb. One of them is 3D printing technology, that is growingly
used. 3D printers can create prosthetic components including sockets, joints, and
cosmetic cover straight from digital blueprints. This additive manufacturing approach
enables rapid prototyping and customization, as well as the creation of complicated
geometries that are not possible with standard manufacturing process.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a powder-based 3D printing technology that
uses a laser to fuse material layers into a final part. Huge volumes of parts can be
printed quickly and material quality of SLS are unmatched. PA-12 is one the materials
can be used that classified as good-general use plastic with broad additive applications
and is known for its toughness, tensile strength, impact strength and ability to flex
without any fracture. This material is suitable to produce a prosthetic limb as it is a
daily use equipment that can be worn out easily if not produce with a good quality and
high damage tolerate material.
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT.
The quality and the rate of production of prosthetic is something difficult to achieve.
Toughness and quality of prosthetic is the most important thing need to be
emphasized as defects can occur. Material defect can be happened as the materials
used to produce the prosthetic got a problem. This will lead to some issues such as
durability, flexibility, or biocompatibility of the materials used resulting in
discomfort, allergic reactions, or premature wear. Even though nowadays there are so
many ways to produce prosthetic for example injection molding, lamination, casting
and so on, the production takes way too long to produce a mass production. This will
result a high demand and low supply that encouraged supplier to rise up the price of
the prosthetics.
1.3 OBJECTIVE.
The objectives of the project are as follows:
1) To determine the most suitable material in producing a prosthetic leg (RAF).
2) To analyze the durability, toughness, flexibility and biocompatibility of the
prosthetic leg (RAF).
3) To measure the rate of production of prosthetic leg (RAF) using SLS 3D-
Printing machine.
1.4 SCOPE OF PROJECT.
1) Using PA-12 as material to produce the prosthetic leg as it has good chemical
resistance, high in tensile and impact strength, and got ability to flex without
fracture.
2) Put a daily test and record the toughness and flexibility of the prosthetic leg
can hold.
3) Record the time of production and the number of production can be produce
until a failure occurred.
