Florida man becomes first to take home thought-controlled bionic arm

…a University of Utah clinical trial testing the bionic prosthesis at home. He is finally able to perform everyday tasks such as writing, playing cards, making a sandwich and, most importantly, holding his wife’s hand. “ The ability to have a return of sensation to my previously dominant hand is a life-altering experience, as I never imagined feeling any part of that hand in my lifetime, let alone for it to feel so authentic ,” Davidson said in a release shared by the University of Utah. Losing left arm at 16 Pic credit: Dave Titensor, University of Utah Alexander ‘Avi’ Davidson, a resident of Tampa, Florida, lost his left arm at the age of…

…this range of movement, fine control, sensory feedback and convenience. As part of the trial, the researchers will be monitoring Davidson while he uses the bionic arm for a year, with the possibility of an extension. “ Clinical trial participants are experiencing the world in a whole new way that really shapes and encourages our research and development and inspires us to keep working on this technology. The goal is to ultimately transform the standard of life and quality of care for individuals with limb loss ,” Jacob A. George, director of the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab, said. He started developing Utah’s Skywalker-style bionic arm in 2015. Thought-controlled prosthetics no longer limited to sci-fi Robotic prosthetics have been…

…this. Implanted in the residual limb, the device allows users to control a ‘neuroprosthetic’ arm with their thoughts. Most importantly, it can also send sensory information, so users can experience a sense of touch. “ Because of the presence of sensation, it allows access to do more things in a different context that wouldn’t be possible with other prosthetic devices ,” Leanne Seckinger, an occupational therapist at University of Utah Health who has been helping Davidson integrate his use of the neuroprosthesis into daily life, said. Davidson is the first to use the bionic arm as…