There was a time, not too long ago, when the prospect of a robotic prosthesis was confined to the realm of sci-fi movies. Today, the Alfred Mann Foundation, working with Rich Davis and the Rogers & Cowan promotional team, is announcing an incredible breakthrough that has potential to completely change the recovery of patients suffering from debilitating injuries. Staff Sergeant James Sides will be the world’s first recipient of a robotic prosthetic hand, which seemingly functions on mind control.
Sides was on his second tour of Afghanistan when he uncovered an IED. While working to disarm the device, Sides was caught in an explosion very near his body. His right hand was torn completely from his forearm in the blast, and he was blinded in one eye. Sides was miraculously able to make a healthy recovery, but his life was far from normal.
Basic tasks that most of us take for granted, like opening a bottle of water, were seemingly impossible for Sides without his right hand. The Alfred Mann Foundation located and offered him the opportunity to use this incredible development. They surgically implanted several sensors in his forearm, which were designed to react to the way his muscles moved. Those sensors send signals to his robotic hand, telling it how to turn or whether it should open or close.
This device is being tested in seven candidates, including Sides. The hope is that these devices will soon become a part of mainstream therapy for those recovering from debilitating injuries. Losing one’s limb is not just a difficult transition; it can create burden and hardship. The hope is that medical science will soon help people reclaim their sense of self reliance.
