deca
08-12-2009, 11:44 AM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1234067/A-helping-hand-scientists-unveil-worlds-bionic-fingers.html
Scientists today unveiled what they claim are the world's first bionic fingers which they hope will transform the lives of people with missing digits.
The motor-powered ProDigits have been developed by Touch Bionics, the company which invented the bionic i-Limb hand.
The new invention, which is reminiscent of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator hand, can help people with up to five missing digits, whether from birth or because of an injury or medical condition.
Phil Newman
Phil Newman, marketing director of Touch Bionics, demonstrates the world's first bionic fingers
Those fitted with the device can bend, touch, pick up and point.
Developers hope the device will be a boost to the partial hand amputee population, which is estimated at around 52,000 in the EU and 1.2million worldwide.
Phil Newman, marketing director of Livingston-based Touch Bionics in West Lothian, said: 'There has been no solution like this for the partial hand amputee community.
More...
* Amputee controls artificial limb using his mind
'The ProDigits provide a powered device with a grip and it has returned these people to a level of functionality and independence.
'It is supporting a community that has never had support before.'
It is estimated that a two-finger amputation leaves an individual with a 20%-40% hand impairment, depending on which fingers are affected.
bionic hand
Scientists hope they will transform the lives of partial hand amputees. The new invention can help people with up to five missing digits on a hand
The custom-made ProDigits are fitted on to what remains of the hand, and can be controlled by myoelectric sensors which register muscle signals from the residual finger or palm.
Alternatively they can be controlled by a pressure sensitive touch pad, which relies on the remnant digit or tissue surrounding the metacarpal bone to provide the necessary pressure to activate the finger.
A special stall feature allows the device to detect when it has closed around an object so that it does not crush it.
This also allows users to point single digits and configure the hand in various grip patterns.
Patients can choose from a range of coverings, from hi-tech clear and black robotic skins to a more natural looking 'livingskin' option.
One of those fitted with ProDigits is former concert pianist, Maria Antonia Iglesias, from Catalonia, who underwent amputation of all extremities following pneumococcal septic shock of unknown origin in July 2003.
Terminator 2 arm.jpg
The new invention is reminiscent of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator hand
They have enabled her to write, hold cutlery and drink from a glass again, tasks she previously struggled to do.
The 42-year-old said: 'I am very pleased to be part of this project and the benefits my new hand is giving me are like a dream.
'Even a simple thing like holding and lifting a glass of water to drink from was impossible before, but with ProDigits I can do it easily.'
The ProDigits prosthetics are tailor-made for each patient and cost around £35,000 to £45,000, which includes the cost of fitting, occupational therapy and the skin covering.
Most of those using them at the moment are privately funded but the company said it hoped to look at working with the NHS in the future.
Stuart Mead, chief executive of Touch Bionics, said: 'Vocational and social re-engagement is very important to a patient's rehabilitation after a traumatic event.
'Partial hand injuries are, by their nature, challenging aesthetically and functionally.
'With ProDigits, our goal is to provide all that we can to reinstate a patient's function and interaction with other people in their chosen lifestyle and career.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1234067/A-helping-hand-scientists-unveil-worlds-bionic-fingers.html#ixzz0Z62ntiV2
gee can`t wait for a Ibrain.......fill up defunct/empty brains!!!!!:rolleyes:
what apps will you choose......and good spam filter
Scientists today unveiled what they claim are the world's first bionic fingers which they hope will transform the lives of people with missing digits.
The motor-powered ProDigits have been developed by Touch Bionics, the company which invented the bionic i-Limb hand.
The new invention, which is reminiscent of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator hand, can help people with up to five missing digits, whether from birth or because of an injury or medical condition.
Phil Newman
Phil Newman, marketing director of Touch Bionics, demonstrates the world's first bionic fingers
Those fitted with the device can bend, touch, pick up and point.
Developers hope the device will be a boost to the partial hand amputee population, which is estimated at around 52,000 in the EU and 1.2million worldwide.
Phil Newman, marketing director of Livingston-based Touch Bionics in West Lothian, said: 'There has been no solution like this for the partial hand amputee community.
More...
* Amputee controls artificial limb using his mind
'The ProDigits provide a powered device with a grip and it has returned these people to a level of functionality and independence.
'It is supporting a community that has never had support before.'
It is estimated that a two-finger amputation leaves an individual with a 20%-40% hand impairment, depending on which fingers are affected.
bionic hand
Scientists hope they will transform the lives of partial hand amputees. The new invention can help people with up to five missing digits on a hand
The custom-made ProDigits are fitted on to what remains of the hand, and can be controlled by myoelectric sensors which register muscle signals from the residual finger or palm.
Alternatively they can be controlled by a pressure sensitive touch pad, which relies on the remnant digit or tissue surrounding the metacarpal bone to provide the necessary pressure to activate the finger.
A special stall feature allows the device to detect when it has closed around an object so that it does not crush it.
This also allows users to point single digits and configure the hand in various grip patterns.
Patients can choose from a range of coverings, from hi-tech clear and black robotic skins to a more natural looking 'livingskin' option.
One of those fitted with ProDigits is former concert pianist, Maria Antonia Iglesias, from Catalonia, who underwent amputation of all extremities following pneumococcal septic shock of unknown origin in July 2003.
Terminator 2 arm.jpg
The new invention is reminiscent of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator hand
They have enabled her to write, hold cutlery and drink from a glass again, tasks she previously struggled to do.
The 42-year-old said: 'I am very pleased to be part of this project and the benefits my new hand is giving me are like a dream.
'Even a simple thing like holding and lifting a glass of water to drink from was impossible before, but with ProDigits I can do it easily.'
The ProDigits prosthetics are tailor-made for each patient and cost around £35,000 to £45,000, which includes the cost of fitting, occupational therapy and the skin covering.
Most of those using them at the moment are privately funded but the company said it hoped to look at working with the NHS in the future.
Stuart Mead, chief executive of Touch Bionics, said: 'Vocational and social re-engagement is very important to a patient's rehabilitation after a traumatic event.
'Partial hand injuries are, by their nature, challenging aesthetically and functionally.
'With ProDigits, our goal is to provide all that we can to reinstate a patient's function and interaction with other people in their chosen lifestyle and career.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1234067/A-helping-hand-scientists-unveil-worlds-bionic-fingers.html#ixzz0Z62ntiV2
gee can`t wait for a Ibrain.......fill up defunct/empty brains!!!!!:rolleyes:
what apps will you choose......and good spam filter