I have no words... I really don't.

I came across a video about this on a tech website and then found several others via YouTube. This was the most clear and concise video I could find, audio and video wise.

Dean Kamen, the man who invented the Segway, among other things, was contracted (along with his company) by the federal government to work on developing a prosthetic arm for soldiers returning home - a percentage of which are bilateral amputees (meaning they have lost BOTH arms).

The criteria he was given was that it had to weigh no more than a human arm, be no bigger than a human arm, be sensitive enough to pick up small and fragile objects, but be strong and durable enough for every day tasks. Oh, and have an almost 100% normal range of motion.

They did it.

The arm they created is modular (which means it can be adapted for varying degrees of amputation up to the total loss of limb), can be controlled using different methods of input based on the user's needs and abilities, provides feedback on grip and temperature similar to an organic limb, has almost all 21 points of articulation, and weighs 9 pounds.

Plus, as I saw in another video, it can be fitted with a silicone skin generated from MRIs of the user's other arm, and painted to match, meaning that the artificial limb will be almost indistinguishable when it is worn and clothing has been put on over it.

As you watch the video, listen to this man who lost both arms talk about testing the arm for Kamen and his team. The mere possibility that he could take the arm home for practical testing means he would be able to feed and care for himself independently for the first time in twenty-six years.

I literally have tears in my eyes at this moment. While I can say I don't personally know anyone who may need this type of assistance, the mere fact that someone has been able to accomplish something thought so long to be impossible, absolutely fills me with wonder.

Tags: innovation, prosthetics, robotics, wow, soliders, medical care, medical inventions

Add A Comment