Adaptive Cutlery for Children With Motor Disabilities

Assistive technology, also known as support technology, plays a crucial role in the inclusion and participation of people with disabilities, the elderly, and those with non-communicable diseases. Its main purpose is to preserve or improve the functions and autonomy of individuals, promoting their well-being and enabling them to lead a dignified, healthy, productive, and autonomous life. These aids facilitate full participation in activities such as studying, working, and socializing.

The need for assistive products is significant, with one billion people currently requiring them and an estimated two billion expected to need at least one such product by 2030. Although anyone may need assistance at some point in life, it is more common in adults and children with disabilities.

Hypotonia is a sign of neuromuscular diseases that refers to low muscle tone. This condition is characterized by excessive muscle elasticity and a soft consistency, where the joints are not well fixed, even with the muscle contracted, resulting in flaccidity and a very wide range of movement. The motor limitations associated with these diseases can significantly hinder tasks such as eating, affecting the quality of life and autonomy of people with disabilities.

Eating is fundamental to daily life, and the use of cutlery is essential for the independence of patients with motor disabilities caused by neuromuscular diseases. Therefore, it is proposed to develop a set of ergonomic interchangeable handle cutlery for children with neuromuscular diseases that cause hypotonia, facilitating their grip and handling with wider and textured handles, providing greater stability and control.

3D printer

PET filament

Spoon

Fork

Silicone

Parts:

1 top piece

1 bottom piece

2 brooch piece

1 axis

2 brooch_axis

2 plug

4 plug_axis

Precise measurements of the hand of the intended user were taken, considering the width of the palm, the distance from the tip of the pinky finger to the wrist, the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the index finger, and the distance between the opening of the palm between the thumb and the index finger. These measurements were recorded in detail and used as reference to dimension the design of the handle, using the unit of measurement in millimeters.

To design the upper part of the handle, measurement A was considered, which is the width of the palm for the inside of the inner support arch shown in the figure. To determine the height of this arch, the width of the fingers was considered.

The thickness of the handle was determined considering measurements B and C. This design choice was intended to provide a grip that does not require fully flexing the fingers.

To print the 3D parts, it is necessary to use the .STL files provided below. In the printer software you are going to use, you must add the files of the parts to be printed, each of them must be placed on the reference base, and it is recommended to add the necessary supports.

It is recommended that the printing material be PET in the color of your choice.

After finishing the prints, remove any excess material and supports from the parts.

Take the top piece and the bottom piece and join them together, aligning the holes in the back of the handle. Then, thread the shaft through them and finally, place the plugs to secure that shaft.

Place the latch piece over the small rings for the hinge pivot axis, ensuring they are aligned. Thread the axis through the holes and finally, place the plugs to secure the hinge. Repeat this procedure with both hinges.

After all the 3D printed parts are assembled, the cutlery must be placed in the slot and the snaps closed to use the device.