We’ve seen plenty of bionic arms and hands lately, but British scientists recently unveiled the world’s first bionic fingers, which can be used to replace individual digits that have gone missing due to injury. High school shop teachers rejoice!
The number of disabled people who could benefit is estimated at more than 50,000 in the EU alone, and at around 1.2 million worldwide.
Phil Newman, marketing director of Livingston-based Touch Bionics in West Lothian, said: “The ProDigits provide a powered device with a grip and it has returned these people to a level of functionality and independence.”
The custom-made ProDigits are fitted onto what remains of the hand, and can be controlled by sensors which register muscle signals from the residual finger or palm.
Alternatively they can be controlled by a pressure sensitive touch pad, which relies on the remnant digit or tissue surrounding the metacarpal bone to provide the necessary pressure to activate the finger.
A special stall feature allows the device to detect when it has closed around an object so that it does not crush it.
(Via Warren Ellis)