Allowing for Greater Control of Prosthetic Devices

As I previously mentioned in one of my posts we will be able to one day fully control and articulate robotic devices such as prosthetics by thought alone, however to achieve these affects with modern technology requires invasive surgery with implanting receptors in the brain. Until technology advances to a point where this method becomes less dangerous some companies have started working around it looking for ways to give more control to the masses. One such company to do so is UK-based prosthetic developers Touch Bionics and their bionic hands that are, in part, controlled by an iPhone app.[1]

The i-Limb Ultra Revolution from Touch Bionics allows for several pre-programmed grip patterns to be activated using the app.[1] This is of great significance to amputees who previously could not or did not have prosthetics capable of performing the grip patterns. Now by using the app people with the prosthetics can use the preset grips to perform tasks that previously could not be completed because they lacked the fine dexterity required to do so. To further their freedom in regaining complete functionality in their limbs it is also possible to create custom grip patterns that can be access from the same app so that the user can adapt their prosthetic to future situations without needing a whole different hand attachment. Technology such as this is a great way to bridge the  functionality gap between the more simple muscle controlled prosthetics and the more advanced nerve controlled ones.

[1]Bionic hands controlled by iPhone app, Danielle Dellorto, CNN, April 12, 2013 http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/12/health/bionic-hands