With regard to the development of prostheses in the hand or arm, there have been notable advances in this area, resulting in pieces that offer the user the possibility of recovering the lost limb and controlling it with great precision.
In this sense, studies have emerged where the use of a brain or bracelets has been proposed to increase the maneuverability margin of these prostheses, although at the moment these initiatives have not been able to be materialized.
Currently, a man named Ian Davis has designed and built a prosthesis to replace the fingers of his left hand, which, despite not having any type of electronics in the manufacturing process, almost perfectly replicates the movement of the fingers. real fingers.
And, when he was only 17 years old, for his high school project Davis built what was a myoelectric arm and hand prosthesis. Almost 30 years after that, Davis applied the acquired knowledge to use it to his advantage in this situation.
The idea of a fully mechanical prosthesis supported by the wearer’s movements and lacking electric motors, batteries and sensors connected to the muscles is nothing new. However, the capabilities of prostheses supported by this type of mechanism are limited compared to those equipped with more technology.
In the event that those who have lost their hand or their entire arm, the Luke prosthesis will seem like a prodigious piece due to the great margin of maneuverability and functionality it offers, although it should be noted that they are not cheap at all, making it difficult to purchase.
With a type of cancer called multiple myeloma, this is how Davis was diagnosed in 2017, who the following year suffered an accident in his workshop that resulted in the breaking of the fingers of his left hand. This situation made the doctors choose to amputate the 4 fingers of this hand as a solution to save his life.
Determination and skill
Since Davis was left-handed, much of his functionality was compromised with the loss of his hand, which may have meant the end of his abilities to design and build things.
However, despite adversity, Davis proceeded to draw sketches for what would be his prosthesis while he was recovering in the hospital. Over time, Davis has been improving, optimizing and rethinking the design of the mechanical fingers, sharing his progress through his YouTube channel
In this sense, Davis published a video last week in which he presented the latest version of his prosthesis where it was possible to show how the mechanical fingers could already extend and separate individually, taking it a step further in terms of maneuverability.
Despite the amputation suffered, Davis kept half of his left hand intact, which allowed him to connect to it a complex series of mechanical links instead of resorting to the use of electric motors, later managing to control them through a set of movements exerted from within. the grin.
As a last resort, Davis’ prosthetic fingers allow him to continue working on his hobbies and helping him stay productive in his shop, as well as giving him the opportunity to continue performing the activities that are part of his daily life.
Added to this, Davis hopes to be able to share his designs and his learning with the rest of manufacturers in the prosthesis sector with the purpose of influencing them and contributing in the manufacture of other models until they are accessible in terms of cost for the patients. people who require a prosthesis.
