New bionic hand technology has emerged, enabling users to control each finger with unprecedented accuracy, revolutionizing the field of prosthetic limbs. The breakthrough innovation, successfully tested on a patient with an above-elbow amputation, holds the potential to transform the lives of millions of individuals worldwide.
Prosthetic limbs have long provided amputees with functional alternatives, but their control and range of motion have been limited. Traditional prosthetics rely on myoelectric signals generated by remnant muscles in the residual limb. However, for individuals with amputations higher up the arm, such as above the elbow, controlling a prosthetic limb in a natural manner has been a significant challenge due to the lack of muscles capable of producing these signals.
A team of surgeons and engineers has now pioneered a new technique called neuromuscular reconstruction, described in a study published in Science Translational Medicine. By rewiring the nerves in the residual limb to control different muscles, the bionic hand allows users to generate complex movements. This groundbreaking advancement empowers individuals to flex and extend all five fingers, mimicking the actions of a natural hand and enabling tasks such as picking up small objects and typing on a keyboard.
The bionic hand also addresses another common issue faced by amputees: the discomfort and mechanical instability caused by sockets used to attach prosthetic limbs to the body. To tackle this problem, the new implant incorporates a titanium implant connected to the residual bone. This improves stability and comfort while facilitating more natural movement.
The successful testing of the bionic hand took place at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden, under the leadership of Professor Max Ortiz Catalan, the founding director of the Center for Bionics and Pain Research (CBPR). The patient who received the implant quickly mastered its control and performed various tasks with ease, including finger movements.
Professor Max Ortiz Catalan expressed his optimism about the possibility of creating bionic hands that are as functional as natural hands.
"This is a major breakthrough in the field of bionic limbs. It opens up the possibility of creating bionic hands that are as functional as natural hands," stated Professor Ortiz.
Dr. Rickard Brånemark, an esteemed expert on osseointegration for limb prostheses who conducted the implantation of the interface, acknowledged the significance of this achievement, citing it as a sign of hope for people with amputations. As per the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, nearly 60mn individuals worldwide were living with limb amputations caused by traumatic events in 2017.
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