(News video courtesy of the BBC)
Chloe Holmes, a 15 year old student, is the youngest to wear the newest type of bionic prosthetic. After contracting streptococcal septicemia during while suffering from chicken pox, she lost a all of her fingers on the left hand, and left with a thumb and half of the index finger on the right. The prosthetic hand she is using by Touch Bionics (Scotland) called the i-LIMB Hand is giving her unprecedented dexterity when compared to traditional prosthetics.
At the core of the $54,700 USD i-LIMB Hand is a processor and software-based control. The individual digits are moved from the nervous system electrical readings via sensor plates that touches the skin. This type of device is called a myoelectric prosthesis. Using electromyography signals or potentials from the voluntary contractions of remaining muscles in the area, the system can interpret what the user wants to do.
The i-LIMB Hand has given Chloe the ability to pick up a wide variety of objects from large ones like cups, to fine ones like credit cards. She can use tools, like kitchen utensils. She can now eat with a typical fork and knife, and she can brush her teeth.
We rarely see the true complexity of these simple talks like these. I am glad companies like Touch Bionics are not taking them for granted too.
Cabe
