Tuesday 16 June 2015

Woman Gets 'Most Life-Like Bionic Hand'

A British woman has been fitted with what scientists say is the world's most life-like bionic hand.
Nicky Ashwell can now ride a bike for the first time after receiving the mechanical appendage, which uses Formula 1 technology to deliver an "unrivalled level of precision and natural movements".

The 29-year-old from London can finally carry out tasks with both hands following the procedure.
But she said it is the little things she can now do that surprise her the most, such as being able to carry her purse while holding her boyfriend's hand.
Ms Ashwell, who was born without a right hand, had previously used a cosmetic prosthetic that she was not able to move.
Her anatomically accurate new hand was developed by prosthetic experts Steeper.
They say the hand, which weighs about the same as a bar of chocolate, has small proportions that have been specifically designed with women and teenagers in mind.
The firm explained it is built around an accurate skeletal structure with miniaturised components designed to provide the most true-to-life movements.
Ms Ashwell, a product manager at an online fashion forecasting service, said: "When I first tried the bebionic small hand it was an exciting and strange feeling - it immediately opened up so many more possibilities for me.
"I realised that I had been making life challenging for myself when I didn't need to.
"The movements now come easily and look natural - I keep finding myself being surprised by the little things, like being able to carry my purse while holding my boyfriend's hand.
"I've also been able to do things never before possible like riding a bike and lifting weights."
She was fitted with the hand at the private London Prosthetics Centre.
Ted Varley, technical director at Steeper, said: "Looking to the future, there's a trend of technology getting more intricate.
"Steeper has embraced this and created a smaller hand with advanced technology that is suitable for women and teenagers.
"An accurate skeletal structure was firstly developed, with the complex technology then specifically developed to fit within this in order to maintain anatomical accuracy.
"In other myoelectric hands the technology is developed first, at the expense of the life-likeness."



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