The field of neuroprostides has advanced significantly in recent years, but technology is not yet close enough to make a difference in the lives of most amputees. However, a new MIT development could change that. In a joint project with the University of Shanghai Jiao Tong, the school designed a neuroprotsteés that cost around $ 500 in components. It is an inflatable hand made of an elastomer named Ecoflex and looks a bit like Baymax of Big Hero 6.
The device resigned electric motors in favor of a pneumatic system that inflates and doubles its digits similar to balloons. The hand can assume several grabs that allow an amputate to those who later do things like Pet to a cat, pour a carton of milk or even raise a cupcake. The device translates how your user wants to use it through a software program that “decodes” EMG signals, the brain sends to an injured limb.
The prosthesis weighs approximately half pound and can even restore some sense of feeling for your user. Do this with a series of pressure sensors. When the user touches or tightens an object, they send an electrical signal to a specific position on their amputated arm. Another advantage of the arm is that it does not take long to learn how to use it. After about 15 minutes, two volunteers found that they could write with a feather and a pile of vouchers.
“This is not a product yet, but performance is already similar or higher than the existing neuroprotic, which we are excited,” said Professor Xuanhe Zhao, one of the engineers who worked on the project. “There is great potential to make this very low cost prosthetic, for low-income families who have suffered amputation.”
While we are far from seeing this technology in the real world, the team behind the project is already working to improve the design. They want to do better to decode electrical and more customizable tickets when the moment of mass production comes.
