This New Prosthetic Hand Called the Ability Hand Contains Touch Sensors
A cheap solution for prosthetic hand users
Just over 0.5 percent of Americans live with a limb difference. It doesn’t seem like alot but that is actually 2 million Americans! With the help of prosthetics, patients may regain motion and be able to so more things like live a better life. The only problem is prosthetics are expensive and unless you are in the military it is an expensive process. It costs even more if you need the prosthetic to be custommed for your well being. Recently Physicians have been adapting to the idea of 3-D printers hoping to make the process easier and better.
A company in Illinois by the name Pysonic made a touch-sensing hand that is very tough and durable. It was September of 2021 when Psyonic released the Ability Hand which is a multi-articulated limb available in the United States and approved by Medicare.
The Ability Hand is made out of silicone and rubber to make it cheaper. Being made out of this also increases the functionality. Unlike wood, plastic, or metal hands the Ability Hand is better and more decisive. It also means it can’t break or tear. Prosthetic hands snapping are a big inconvenience for prosthetic users.
The main focus of the Ability hand is to allow the patients to receive touch-based feedback which allows the prosthetic hand to do more. Most prosthetic hands nowadays to not deliver tactile feedback. The Ability Hand has six sensors that send vibrations mimicking a limb making it feel natural. The vibrations indicate how forceful the contact was.
The overall goal of this project is to give a helping hand to those needing one for a low price. The whole process mimics a biological hand.
Related Stories
https://www.engineering.com/story/lets-get-physical-a-new-prosthetic-restores-peoples-sense-of-touch
https://www.psyonic.io/ability-hand
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/ability-hand-revolution-bionic-technology
https://mobile.va.gov/app/psyonic-ability-hand
Take Action
If you would like to buy one go to https://www.psyonic.io/get-yours-now