# Articulated Prosthesis (DD-438)

> Articulated prosthetic hands have multiple jointed fingers to mimic a natural hand. Many are myoelectric: electrodes on the skin pick up electrical signals from muscles in the residual limb, and motors turn them into grips, pinches or pointing. The footage shows a prosthetic hand moving its fingers.

- Department: Science (also Tech)
- First published: 2024-12-24
- Last updated: 2024-12-24
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/articulated-prosthesis/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-438-F01**: Multiple jointed fingers. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Joints))_
- **DD-438-F02**: Reads muscle signals. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Myoelectric))_

## Write-up

Myoelectric hands read electrical signals from the user's muscles. Jointed fingers can grip, pinch and point.

1. **Joints**: Multiple jointed fingers.
2. **Myoelectric**: Reads muscle signals.
3. **Sensors**: Electrodes on the skin.
4. **Grips**: Grip, pinch, point.
5. **Motors**: Motors move fingers.

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Articulated Prosthesis: Myoelectric Hands Read Electrical Signals From the User's Muscles

- Duration: 22.0 s · Published: 2024-12-24
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DD94ZKDKyrm.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know? Articulated prosthetic hands are advanced devices designed to replicate the functionality and appearance of a natural hand. These prosthetics feature multiple movable joints and fingers, enabling precise and natural-looking movements. Many articulated prosthetic hands are myoelectric, meaning they use electrical signals from the user's muscles to control movements. Sensors detect these signals and translate them into actions like gripping, pinching, or pointing. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What controls a myoelectric hand?**  
A: Electrodes. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Joints) · Wikipedia: Prosthesis)_

**Q: Where are sensors placed?**  
A: Residual limb. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Myoelectric) · Wikipedia: Myoelectric prosthesis)_

**Q: What moves the fingers?**  
A: Powered. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Sensors) · Wikipedia: Myoelectric prosthesis)_

**Q: Name one grip**  
A: Actions. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Grips) · Wikipedia: Prosthesis)_

**Q: What does articulated mean?**  
A: Joints. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Motors) · Wikipedia: Myoelectric prosthesis)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Prosthesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosthesis)
- [Wikipedia: Myoelectric prosthesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myoelectric_prosthesis)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Articulated Prosthesis." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-438, last updated Dec 24, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/articulated-prosthesis/