WHAT IS A PROSTHETICS?
Prosthetics are artificial devices designed to replace or augment missing or damaged body parts, such as limbs, joints, or sensory organs. Prosthetics are designed based on the patient's specific needs and range from simple devices to complex systems. Prosthetics can range from simple cosmetic devices to advanced bionic limbs that can move and function like natural limbs. The three main types of prosthetics are cosmetic prosthetics that give a prosthetic limb a natural appearance, functional prosthetics that restore function such as grasping and walking, and myoelectric prosthetics that use muscle signals to control the device.
MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THE PROSTHETIC FINGER
RTV Silicone
Baker’s Gelatin
Baker’s Glycerin
Water
Petroleum Jelly(Vaseline)
Poster Colour/Paint
Bunsen Burner
Other materials used are hand gloves, spatula and mixing pot.
PROCEDURES TO MAKE A PROSTHETIC FINGER
- Apply petroleum jelly on the finger to be used as pattern. This is to minimize the corrosive effect of the tiler’s silicone on the skin. It also aids the easy removal of the mold from the finger.
- 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.
- Wait for the silicone to dry to a jelly-like consistency. This should take about thirty minutes at least.
- Carefully remove the silicone mold from the finger, taking care not to fold the mold.
- Mix gelatin, glycerin and water in the ratio 2:2:1 respectively and evenly in a pot.
- Using low heat from the Bunsen burner or stove, heat the mixture to remove lumps and bubbles.
- While heating, turn the mixture thoroughly. If it becomes dry, add a little water and mix properly.
- Add poster colour (I made use of brown powder replicate African colour in the absence of the desired poster colour) to the mixture to obtain a shade similar to that of the human skin of any race of your choice.
- The resulting mixture should be lump-free with no bubbles, moderately viscous and able to flow from the spoon.
- Pour in the mixture into the silicone mold to form the cast and leave it for twelve hours to solidify.
- Separate the mold from the cast. If the cast cannot come out with ease, use razor blade to cut the mold away.
- A pair of scissors can be used to trim the cast to a desired length.
- The resulting cast is a Prosthetic finger.
A more explanatory document is attached below.
