Useful solution for people with finger disabilities

Article and photos: DUY KHOI

The 2023 Potential Startup Project Competition for Students of Can Tho University has just ended, with the first prize going to the project “Semi-automatic prosthetic finger for the disabled” by the E-Fairy group. This is a highly feasible solution, helping people with finger disabilities have easy access to utilities serving life.

E-Fairy giới thiệu về sản phẩm ngón tay giả bán tự động dành cho người khuyết tật.

E-Fairy introduces semi-automatic prosthetic finger products for the disabled.

E-Fairy consists of members: Nguyen Trong Tinh, Tran Phuoc Loc, Nguyen Duy Khang, Vo Anh Dao and Pham Thi Tuyet, all students of Can Tho University (of which Loc graduated in March 2023). Although studying in different majors such as Business Administration, Mechatronic Engineering, English Language, Computer Networks and Data Communications, this group of young people all share a passion for science and the desire to start a business with the knowledge they have learned.

The story began when Pham Thi Tuyet had a grandfather with a finger disability. Tuyet wondered what to do to help him and shared this story with the group. So a good solution was born, E-Fairy proceeded to implement it with the guidance of Dr. Tran Thanh Hung. The prosthetic finger was designed and 3D printed, then the product was processed to complete. This device is for people with finger disabilities but still have at least half a finger joint to act as a pillar, connecting to the hand. The operating mechanism is that the muscle force of the remaining finger joint when bending and stretching will cause the prosthetic finger to continuously and uniformly operate. Nguyen Trong Tinh said: After the product is completed, the user can hold, grasp, rotate, press, and even type on the computer quite quickly.

Nguyen Trong Tin shared more, according to the report of the General Statistics Office of Vietnam on people with disabilities in 2016, Vietnam has more than 6.2 million people with disabilities, of which more than 2 million people have upper body mobility disabilities. It is estimated that the number of people with finger disabilities accounts for 3% of the total number of people with upper body mobility disabilities, equivalent to 65,000 people. People with finger disabilities are greatly affected both physically and mentally. To support people with finger disabilities, there are currently 2 types of prosthetic products on the market: one type of mobility support such as robotic hands, electric hands, which are very expensive, from 1,000-4,000 USD; one type of aesthetic support made of silicon. “The solution “Semi-automatic prosthetic finger for the disabled” will overcome the limitations of both of the above products such as unlimited continuous usage time, no need to use any energy source for operation, low price, support for user movement, can be combined with silicone gloves to create aesthetic shape for the hand” - Trong Tinh analyzed.

Nguyen Duy Khang added that the semi-automatic prosthetic finger, when completed, costs only about 1 million VND, making it easy for low-income people to access the product. In addition, easy storage conditions, energy saving, waterproof, easy to install and no high level of skill required for use are also advantages of the product. Mr. Pham Van Co, a person with a finger disability in Soc Trang province, the first customer of E-Fairy, commented: “The prosthetic finger product of the group of students from Can Tho University is easy to use, has a reasonable price, is convenient to use during daily activities and work, and can be worn all the time. In particular, when wearing this prosthetic finger, I am much more confident”.

According to Tran Phuoc Loc, the product is currently being tested using plastic material, connected by screws, so the connection and stability are not really good. In the near future, E-Fairy will continue to improve, replace with metal material (aluminum is the top choice) and connect the details with super mini bearings to make the product as complete as possible, with the prospect of development in the market.

Before winning the First Prize of the Potential Startup Project Competition for Students of Can Tho University in 2023, on April 9, E-Fairy was honored to be selected to present this product to the US Congressional Delegation led by Senator Jeff Alan Merkley, during the delegation's visit and work with Can Tho University. The usefulness, humanity and feasibility of the product were highly appreciated.

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