Dean Kamen's Amazing Artificial Arm

In addition to the invention of the Segway scooter, Dean Kamen is also likely to become famous as the creator of the most advanced robotic prostheses. One of the latest developments, the DEKA Arm System, has been approved by the FDA . Part of the funding development took over DARPA, which already says a lot. In fact, this prosthesis became a big step forward in the creation of artificial limbs, allowing you to perform such manipulations as turning the key in the lock and fastening the zipper lock.

By mass, the prosthesis is comparable to the human hand. Electrodes implanted in the muscles of the rest of the limb, remove signals from the brain and transmit to the electronic filling of the prosthesis.
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The “arm” is equipped with various motion sensors and dynamometric sensors, which allows the prosthesis to operate with small and fragile objects. The program contains six different brush grip. The prototype tests conducted at the FDA showed that with the help of the DEKA Arm System, 90% of the subjects were able to perform activities that were previously unavailable to them with any other prostheses. For example, take fruits without crushing them.



The cost of this excellent sample of bioengineering has not yet been announced, although it is obvious that it is high. In fact, now it is the main reason for restraining the widespread use of robotic prostheses. Kamen himself says:

Perhaps they will be installed to all veterans. Some well-off people can afford it too. The rest, unfortunately ... everything depends on the limited funds and insurance conditions. We are trying to fight this, but there is little that we can do in this area.

DEKA Arm System can be installed to patients who have either lost a hand from the shoulder joint, or have retained part of the ulna or forearm bones. For those who have lost a limb from an elbow joint or hand, this prosthesis is not suitable yet. Now the FDA is testing it for resistance to dust, light precipitation, shock loads and other environmental influences.