Scots firm builds bionic hand

  • Email a Friend
  • Print Page
Scots firm builds bionic hand
By Iain Thomson
Jul 19, 2007 2:59 PM
Tags: Scots | firm | builds | bionic | hand

'We can rebuild you', a Scottish company has unveiled a revolutionary robotic hand that could soon be available on the NHS.

The i-LIMB, built by Touch Bionics in Scotland's Silicon Glen, has a motor built into each digit and is controlled by nerve impulses from the wearer. 

The device is already being used by patents, who have reported encouraging results.

"Every day that I have the hand it surprises me," said US Army sergeant (retired) Juan Arredondo, who lost his hand in Iraq in 2004.

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

The robotic hand uses sensors attached to the patient's arm and monitors nerve impulses and muscular activity to determine the intentions of the user. The entire device can also be encased in a realistically flesh coloured cover.

"Cosmesis is a hugely important area in prosthetics, both for appearance and for durability," said Touch Bionics chief executive Stuart Mead.

"Some patients, especially soldiers, love the more robotic look of the i-LIMB Skin, but others like their device to blend anatomically with the rest of their body, and prefer to have a life-like covering for the i-LIMB Hand and ProDigits. "

The device will be officially unveiled at the 12th World Congress of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics in Vancouver on 29 July.

Touch Bionics hopes that the devices could be used by the NHS within five years.

Copyright © 2009 vnunet.com


 
Comments

Be the first to comment on this article.
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
Comment:
Want to participate in the discussion?
Or log in now to comment
 
 
Top Stories
Conroy opens NBNCo regulation debate
Part two of the regulatory reforms paper.
 
Utilities wise up to smart grids
Power to the people?
 
Sydney Water turned off wrong pipe
Admits error with Macquarie Telecom data centre.
 
Exclusive Data Centre - Sponsored Content by Microsoft

Latest Comments

"I turn bluetooth off on my mobile to save the battery. Looks like now I've got another reason. "
by Slatts Jul 4, 2009 1:09 PM
 
"I'm kind of assuming that the water was used in water cooled condensers for the air-conditioning...."
by Slatts Jul 2, 2009 8:54 PM
 
"Why do we have to listen to Nick Minchin's comments? He is just about irrelevant in his opinions ..."
by ngo Jul 2, 2009 8:35 PM
 
" It's not very surprising that the Chinese junta still wants to impose the 'Green Dam - Youth ..."
by anonymous Jul 2, 2009 3:49 PM
 
"I would suggest for anyone wanting to join in the BOINC projects such as SETI@home, World ..."
by wolfgang8741 Jul 2, 2009 5:37 AM

Polls

What will you do when your iPhone contract comes up for renewal?




   |   View results
Retain my current service provider
  12%
 
Switch to a cheaper plan
  18%
 
Switch to a better network
  17%
 
Switch to whoever offers free tethering
  18%
 
Change handset altogether
  35%
TOTAL VOTES: 196

Vote