Jordan is a four-year old with Apert Syndrome.  Apert Syndrome occurs in 1 out of every 100,000 live births and is characterized by midface retrusion and webbed fingers and toes.  The Syndrome has caused Jordan's finders and thumb to be underdeveloped, making it difficult for her to have a firm grasp on objects.  Currently, Jordan grasps objective between her middle and index finger.  In addition, she picks up objects with her pinky finger and thumb.  

Jordan’s teacher and occupational therapist informed the group of devices currently being used by Jordan and of devices that have been tried in the past. For example, Jordan has been exposed to various modified writing tools, modified scissors, and zipper attachments.  Jordan’s school acquired one such pair of modified scissors that allow her to use one hand to cut.  Another assistance device was made by Jordan’s occupational therapist for Jordan’s zipper tab.  The device makes the tab large enough for Jordan to take hold of between her index and middle fingers. 

The child’s difficulty stems from the way the syndrome caused her hands to develop.  Jordan can only bend her fingers where they attach to her hand.  The joints on her fingers do not bend, which makes it difficult for her to grasp objects.  Furthermore, her thumb is about half the size of an average four-year old, making it difficult for her to use it simultaneously with her other fingers.  At birth, her fingers were webbed.  Surgery was performed to separate the fingers.  At this time there are no other surgical options to improve the functioning of her hands. 

From the previously stated guidelines in the problem statement and speaking with people close to Jordan, the group determined its efforts should be to design a handgrip device to assist Jordan.  Therefore the goal of this team is to design a prosthetic device to increase the functioning of Jordan's hands.