A REPORT ON THE DESIGN OF A PROSTHETIC FINGER
Abstract
The field of regenerative medicine aims to replace tissues lost as a consequence of disease, trauma or congenital abnormalities. Biomaterials serve as scaffolds for regenerative medicine to deliver cells, provide biological signals and physical support, and mobilize endogenous cells to repair tissues.
Aim
To make a prosthetic finger.
To make a prosthetic finger.
Material used
• Glycerin
• Gelatin
• Silicone gel
• Glycerin
• Gelatin
• Silicone gel
Uses of materials
1. Gelatin
Gelatin is a protein derived from animal raw materials. It is obtained by partial hydrolysis of collagen, the most abundant protein in the animal world, with high concentrations present in connective tissues. It consists of eighteen amino acids, eight of which are considered essential. As a polydisperse polymer, gelatin exhibits many useful properties and functions that lend themselves to pharmaceutical and medical applications.
1. Gelatin
Gelatin is a protein derived from animal raw materials. It is obtained by partial hydrolysis of collagen, the most abundant protein in the animal world, with high concentrations present in connective tissues. It consists of eighteen amino acids, eight of which are considered essential. As a polydisperse polymer, gelatin exhibits many useful properties and functions that lend themselves to pharmaceutical and medical applications.
Functions
Water-binding
Gelling
Strengthening / Stabilizing
Film forming
Adhesion
Soluble
Thermo-reversible
Water-binding
Gelling
Strengthening / Stabilizing
Film forming
Adhesion
Soluble
Thermo-reversible
2. Silicone gel
Silicone is a synthetic polymer widely used in the biomedical industry as implantable devices since 1940, owing to its excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Silicone biomaterials are renowned for their biocompatibility due to their inert nature and hydrophobic surface.
The silicone applications range from extracorporeal equipment, catheters, drains, shunts, various long-term implants, orthopedic implants, and aesthetic implants. The following section provides a critical discussion of various biomedical devices applications, highlighting silicone material properties and the antimicrobial strategies for each application. The diverse applications of silicone are given below.
Silicone is a synthetic polymer widely used in the biomedical industry as implantable devices since 1940, owing to its excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Silicone biomaterials are renowned for their biocompatibility due to their inert nature and hydrophobic surface.
The silicone applications range from extracorporeal equipment, catheters, drains, shunts, various long-term implants, orthopedic implants, and aesthetic implants. The following section provides a critical discussion of various biomedical devices applications, highlighting silicone material properties and the antimicrobial strategies for each application. The diverse applications of silicone are given below.
1. Coating, treatment, or assembly of various medical devices
2. Inserts and implants to replace various body parts
3. Catheters, drains, and shunts used for medical treatment and short-term implant
4. Aesthetic implants
5. Specialty contact lenses
2. Inserts and implants to replace various body parts
3. Catheters, drains, and shunts used for medical treatment and short-term implant
4. Aesthetic implants
5. Specialty contact lenses
Uses of glycerin
Glycerol is widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries as an additive (e.g., a plasticizer, thickener, emollient, demulcent, humectant, bodying agent, lubricant) due to its physical properties.
Glycerol is widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries as an additive (e.g., a plasticizer, thickener, emollient, demulcent, humectant, bodying agent, lubricant) due to its physical properties.
PROCEDURE
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.
Observation
When gelatin and glycerin are mixed together, lumps form on the addition of water. This can be eliminated by heating under low heat, while stirring.
Conclusion
Tissue engineering is considered one of the most important therapeutic strategies of regenerative medicine. The main objective of these new technologies is the development of substitutes made with biomaterials that are able to heal, repair or regenerate injured or diseased tissues and organs. These constructs seek to unlock the limited ability of human tissues and organs to regenerate.
