World's First Bionic Hand Now Available to the Public

Touch Bionics announced Tuesday that it has made its bionic hand more available to the general public. Touch Bionics created the i-LIMB hand in hopes to add more functionality for people who wanted more than just a gripping tool. The i-LIMB features 5 individually-functioning digits, providing more use to patients. Not only is there a full hand available, the i-LIMB also has models to replace partially-amputated hands, another first in prosthetic science.

Touch Bionics developed technology that allows the remaining muscles in the body to control each individual digit. A video as seen here shows a man buttoning his shirt and tying his tie with the hand. Touch Bionics used a myoelectric signal that allows patients to do basic movements in prosthetic limbs but tailored the electric signal sent out from the body to be more specific and more closely mimic our natural nervous system.

Representatives of the developers took much pride in their advanced developments, especially Touch Bionics CEO Stuart Mead . "We are delighted to be the company that moves bionic hand technology from the research and development phase into the real world, and to lead a generational advance in bionics and patient care," he said. "We have always existed to change the lives of patients with severe injuries and disabilities, and it is thrilling to feel that we are now able to accomplish that goal."

Additional features of the i-LIMB include multiple skins and looks, also known as cosmesis. Mead mentioned that some patients preferred the more mechanical look of the hand (mostly military patients) where others would prefer to have a more realistic and flesh-like appearance. Companies like ART-tech and LIVINGSKIN work hand-in-hand with Touch Bionics to provide detailed appearances on their products.

One patient who tested it out is Juan Arredondo, a former Army Sergeant who lost his hand in Iraq back in 2004. He is clearly satisfied with the i-LIMB version he uses today.

"Now I can pick up a Styrofoam cup without crushing it. With my other myoelectric hand, I would really have to concentrate on how much pressure I was putting on the cup. The i-LIMB hand does things naturally. I can just grab the cup like a regular person."

The new i-LIMB hands are being shipped today to clinics in the United States.

Touch Bionics, a Scotland-based company, will formerly unveil the hand next month during the 12th World Congress of the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics.

SOURCE:

CNW.pondserver.com

URL for press release:

http://cnw.pondeserver.com/stories/7-11-2007_07INM1_121/TB%20LaunchRelease%20Final.pdf