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Christian Kandlbauer, who lost both of his arms in a high voltageaccident, uses a unique development which until recently sounded almost likescience fiction: An arm prosthesis, the first of its kind in the world, whichhe controls solely through the power of his mind.
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In 2008 Otto Bock presented a prototype of the first mind controlledprosthetic limb. Now the company presents the first mind controlledprosthesis suitable for every day use. This unique development, ChristianKandlbauer uses on the left side, enhanced his regained independence andconfidence enabling him not only to take up his original occupation but alsoto make the journey to his place of work independently in his own car.
In cooperation with research partners in the USA, Otto Bock utilizedexisting expertise of Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) from Todd Kuiken,MD, PhD of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, teamed together withspecialists from Vienna's General Hospital performing TMR on patients. Thisinvolves transferring of residual nerves to the pectoral muscle so thatsignals coming from the brain are used to control the prosthesis.
As emphasized by Dr Hubert Egger, head of the project, a reduction inweight down to 2.5 kg and the appearance of a natural arm was essential forits use in every day life.
Future Perspectives
Under laboratory conditions and with the help of micro-sensors that havebeen integrated into the index finger, Christian Kandlbauer is also able tofeel just like he did before the accident. However, this fascinating furtherdevelopment will still take some time to perfect. Dr. Hans Dietl, CEO of OttoBock HealthCare Products in Vienna, expects to bring the sensory armprosthesis to market in approximately four years.More information: http://www.ottobock.com/press/tmr Contact: Otto Bock HealthCare Rudiger Herzog Max-Nader-Strasse 15 37115 Duderstadt Deutschland Telephone: +49-5527-848-1859 Fax: +49-5527-848-3360 E-Mail: [email protected] Homepage: http://www.ottobock.com
SOURCE Otto Bock HealthCare
