The finger and fingertip are the most frequently amputated body parts, due to work-related incidents. Yet because of space, weight and cost constraints, prosthetic fingers and fingertips are heavy and bulky with limited active motion and sensation. The aim of this project is to model, design, fabricate and validate an affordable body-powered prosthetic fingertip digit with integrated mechanical haptic feedback. It will do this by combining synergetic expertise in developing parameterised mathematical models of limb motion from the University of Warwick (UoW) and in creating soft, stiffness-controllable robotic structures and haptic feedback interfaces from University College London (UCL). Of key importance is its transformative nature, which we will achieve through close collaboration with (1) clinical experts from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) and the UHCW Innovation Hub, who will provide consultation and clinical input throughout; and (2) strategic project partners, namely the Steeper Group and Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA, world leaders in the development of prosthetic devices; the Global Disability Hub CIC (GDI Hub), working with local communities, academics, experts and disabled people to drive innovation, co-design and collaboration; and e-NABLE, a worldwide charity that creates free protheses for those in need of an upper limb assistance. The objectives of the project are therefore: 1). to obtain an in-depth understanding of finger(tip) movements to recover hand functionality and the development of novel mathematical models that can accurately characterise and reproduce such movements. this will be achieved through the generation of a comprehensive portfolio of human hand grasps used in current everyday activities and validated mathematical models that can reproduce such taxonomies, compared to pre-existing models. 2). To create a pneumatically actuated, body-powered prosthetic fingertip with integrated haptic sensing feedback. This will be achieved through analysis comparing the design capabilities of the prosthetic fingertip when compared to human finger motion, testing the forces exerted using the prosthetic fingertip using appropriate experimental techniques. 3). To perform complete integration and validation of the mathematical models and body-powered prosthetic fingertip developed through verification in motion capture (gait) laboratories using patients in controlled environments as well as long-term validation studies.

This network will focus on developing the next generation of advanced technologies for rehabilitation, targeting musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, neurological and mental health conditions. It will be connected to the new £70 million National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), a major national investment in patient care, innovation and technology, due to open to patients in 2024. The NRC is being co-located with the specialist £300m+ Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre on the Stamford Hall Rehabilitation Estate so that the two centres can benefit from the sharing of a wealth of knowledge, expertise and facilities. This EPSRC networkplus is therefore an exceptionally timely opportunity to capitalise on this significant investment, actively involving the UK Engineering & Physical Science community in this initiative and embedding technology innovation at the earliest stage. Advances in medicine have resulted in a significant increase in survival rates from trauma and injury, disorders and disease (acute and chronic). However, survival is often just the start, and the higher rates have led to an increase in rehabilitation needs, involving many patients with complex conditions. Technology has an increasingly important part to play in rehabilitation, to support a limited number of skilled healthcare professionals, reduce hospital stays, improve engagement with rehabilitation programmes, increase independence and improve outcomes. Speeding up recovery and helping patients get back to work and life has considerable personal, social and economic impact. This network will bring together researchers, healthcare providers, patient & user groups, industrial partners and supporting organisations (e.g. policy makers, charities) to develop a world-class research community and infrastructure for advanced rehabilitation technologies. By connecting new innovative technologies and advanced materials with our growing understanding of mental and physical health, this network will support the provision of novel, transformative, affordable solutions that will address current issues, allowing patients to lead more independent and fulfilling lives and reducing the burden on limited NHS resources. Supported by a core membership of experts from the rehabilitation field, this network aims to introduce researchers who are not typically involved in rehabilitation technology research into a network of rehabilitation experts. Central to the grant will be a series of Grand Challenge Blended Workshops and supported conversations designed to identify critical areas for research, with funding for feasibility projects to build those collaborations and drive forward innovation. The network will explore multimodal approaches that target both physical and mental rehabilitation. Technology innovation will focus around three key areas: 1) advanced functional materials, 2) patient-specific devices & therapy, and 3) closed loop measurement and rehabilitation.