Nowadays the robotic or prosthetic artificial hands strive to achieve a high degree of anthropomorphism, a concept which expresses the capability of a robotic end-effector to mimic the human hand, partly or totally, as far as shape, size, consistency, and general aspect (including color, temperature, and so on). This paper proposes a new experimental approach regarding the kinematics of the human finger movement. By using video capture of a particular finger movement and dedicated video processing software we have determined the laws of variation for the main joints in the human finger. Therefore, the experimental method presented in detail in this paper is useful to corroborate the kinematic parameters (displacements, velocities and accelerations, linear or rotary) of an artificial robotic finger movement with those of the human finger movement.

This article focuses on the analysis of gait parameters, ground reaction forces (GRF), and motion signals, for the various asymmetric loads carried by healthy human subjects during walking. Eight asymptomatic human volunteers were enrolled in this study. They were asked to walk, at self-selected pace, with various weights ranging from 0 to 11.33 kg (25 lbs) in 2.26 kg (5 lbs) increments, in one hand on a wooden area equipped with a force platform. Moreover, motion data were recorded from lumbar L1 vertebrae at a frequency of 120 Hz. Three trials of data have been recorded for each subject. In order to quantify the effect of increasing loads on the GRF we define the compression area, restitution area, and coefficient of restitution (COR) for GRF curves. We observe an increase in the compression area with respect to the load and almost constant values for the COR. For motion signals analysis we employ wavelet theory. The signals obtained from the lumbar L1 sensor of the spine vertebrae show a decrease in the wavelet detail energy, for the levels 3, 4, and 5, with respect to increasing loads.

The shape memory alloys exhibit a number of remarkable properties, which open new possibilities in engineering and more specifically in biomedical engineering. The most important alloy used in biomedical applications is NiTi. This alloy combines the characteristics of the shape memory effect and superelasticity with excellent corrosion resistance, wear characteristics, mechanical properties and a good biocompatibility. These properties make it an ideal biological engineering material, especially in orthopaedic surgery. In this work, modular plates for the osteosynthesis of the long bones fractures are presented. The proposed modular plates are realized from modules, completely interchangeable, made from Titanium or Stainless steel materials, having as connecting elements U-shaped staples made of Nitinol. Using computed tomography (CT) images to provide three-dimensional geometric details, and SolidWorks CAD software, the virtual models for humerus bone and for modular platesare generated. For numerical simulation we used VisualNastran software. We have obtained the displacements diagram, the von Mises strain diagram and von Mises stress diagram. Using the Rapid Prototyping 3D Zcorp 310 Printer system, we have obtained the prototype for the human humerus bone and for the plate modules. In vitro experiments are realised on the cadaver bones using metallic modular plates. The advantages of the modular plates are presented.

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