Apr 5, 2019 | By Thomas
Open Bionics announced on Thursday that it has partnered with Hanger Clinic to bring the first-ever medically-certified 3D-printed bionic arm to the United States. The robotic arm used to only be available in the UK and France.
The 3D printed Hero Arm is a lightweight and affordable myoelectric prosthesis with multi-grip functionality developed for those with below elbow limb loss or limb difference. Designed for and fit on users as young as eight, the Hero Arm weighs less than a kilogram.
“Special sensors within the Hero Arm detect muscle movements, meaning you can effortlessly control your bionic hand with intuitive life-like precision,” says Open Bionics. “Also, haptic vibrations, beepers, buttons and lights provide you with intuitive notifications.”
The first U.S. recipients of the Hero Arm are 14-year-old Hanger Clinic patient Meredith Gross, a high school freshman who was born missing part of her lower left arm, and 12-year-old Arath Valentine Ruiz. Gross, a competitive golfer and volleyball player, previously used sports-specific prostheses, but is now for the first time exploring the possibilities of using a multi-articulating arm for everyday tasks many take for granted, such as tying her shoes, riding a bike, and opening a bag of chips.
“The Hero Arm has opened up a whole new world for Meredith,” said Jodi Gross, Meredith's mom. “She found success from the moment she put it on, and has been able to do things for the first time in her life. This device allows people like Meredith to own their differences with more confidence.”
This is also the first time Valentine Ruiz has experienced using a multi-articulating arm, providing him with access to a whole new world of possibilities with the various grip patterns the technology provides. Specifically, Valentine Ruiz is now able to for the first time turn pages in a book without putting it down, use both a fork and knife at the same time while eating, and easily hold and open a water bottle.
Bionic hands can cost up to £60,000 apiece. Open Bionics’ 3D-printed prosthetic arm was launched at a fraction of that cost – around £5,000. Better yet, the 3D printing and assembly process for the Hero Arm takes around 40 hours. The hand comes in three sizes, and at 0.62lbs - 0.76lbs, is the lightest bionic hand available. Best of all for the kids is that they can choose from a range of swappable coversarms, such as Marvel Iron Man, Star Wars BB-8, Disney Frozen, and Deus Ex inspired versions of the limbs.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
Maybe you also like:
- Researchers 3D print shrimp-inspired robot claw to produce underwater plasma
- Qatar Airways to install Diehl Aviation’s largest 3D printed passenger aircraft part
- Auburn receives $5.2M NASA contract to develop 3D printing techniques to boost rocket performance
- 3D printed Glow Box, a window into an artificial mind
- Formlabs offers more accuracy, larger print sizes with new Form 3 and Form 3L SLA 3D printers
- NASA announces top 3 finalists for 3D printed Mars habitats challenge
- Stratasys unveils new F120 FDM printer and V650 Flex SLA 3D printer
- 3D printed tissues could help heal athletes' damaged bone and cartilage
- Researchers use 3D printers to weave wearable electronics into clothing
- BCN3D raises $3M in funding and spins out of Polytechnic University of Catalonia
Open Bionics along with Hanger Clinic is doing some fine ass work! Keep it up guys :D
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
