Bionic prostheses work almost like living hands

The world's first commercially available bionic prosthetic hands with control of all fingers of the hand have already been received by more than 70 owners in different countries. In a month, manufacturers hope to celebrate the production of the hundredth biomechanical arm.

The robotic arms i-LIMB, which were developed and manufactured by the British company Touch Bionics, are very close to the real ones in their biomechanics and are controlled by electrical signals coming from the muscles of the patient's forearm.

The bioprosthesis is equipped with a silicone glove that mimics the texture and color of the skin and even veins. So on the street, passers–by with a cursory glance do not notice that one of the human hands is artificial.

Everyone who received this novelty (at a price of $ 18,000 – it's not a pity for a hand) notes a huge difference between it and the prostheses they had to wear earlier (you can get acquainted with the stories of some patients on the company's website).

In fact, these people say, we have received "real hands", which are very convenient to use and with which we can now perform small manipulations with objects.

Although we know a lot of examples of the development of bionic hands, i-LIMB became the first prosthesis with as close as possible to the natural movements of the hand and fingers, which got on, relatively speaking, the conveyor.

The first i-LIMB bionic arm appeared on the market in July last year. Since the largest market for such robot hands is the United States, the company recently opened its own division there. Representatives of the company are confident that by the end of February 2008, the hundredth patient will receive the i-LIMB arm. For such an exotic technique, this can be called a mass release.

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31.01.2008