The bionic hand of Martin

Born without his right arm. Accustomed to try all kinds of prosthetics, Martin has been commissioned to publicize a new bionic hand, 'Michelangelo', which shows proud. Open and close your hand, exercise more or less force or the simple gesture of greeting someone, everything automatically, are some of the functions that this young man has recovered.

"I always say that this is like learning to drive a car." So says Martin, 28, spent four weeks in learning to handle the aforementioned prototype, which is expected to reach the market in spring 2010. The international launch has occurred in Madrid, during the Fair Ortoprotsica 'Orto Pro Care Spain'.

prosthetics, manufactured by the company Otto Bock, is placed on the stump and connects to the residual muscle from two electrodes, but also is being tested with six (which would allow greater scope). As its creators say, the human hand has 20 degrees of freedom of movement, with the 'Michelangelo' recovering six.

One of the principal values of the device, which belongs to a new generation of bionic hands beyond the analogue technology, is the speed with which carry data, which ease the movement.

"The patient activates the flexor and extensor muscles, that information comes immediately to the electrodes and they sent the order to move the prosthesis," explained John L. Galan, technical director of the company Otto Bock.

Movements automatic

The prototype allows

Move the wrist; grip with three fingers or with the five, with varying degrees of force, or relax the arm in two seconds and drop while walking, thus swinging. And all of this automatically, without using the other hand, it also applies to people with dual amputation (without the two arms)

The hand includes some in the fingers, for replace the soft structure of the tendons and muscles, and pieces of aluminum that act as the bones. In addition, is equipped with special software that allows customized to the needs of each user.

"They can grab objects in a safe manner and several at once," says Martin with his hand while holding the bionic toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. The soft touch of the fingers and greater ease of movement for its other qualities.

For the moment, as year and a half for marketing, hand presents a 'robotic'. However, as has been clarified Pilar Moro, director general of Otto Bock, be fitted with a sleeve of color and texture similar to the skin.

As

Has clarified Galan, with this prosthesis yet the patient can not feel the objects. However, it has added some jobs, such as those carried out with shoulder nerve fibers, show that in a short time will be obtained surprising results.