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October 17, 2023 : A Swedish woman who lost her hand in a boating accident has regained 80% of its function and sense of touch thanks to a bionic prosthetic. The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, had the prosthetic implanted in her arm at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2020.
The prosthetic hand is controlled by signals from the woman’s remaining nerves and muscles. It is equipped with sensors that give her feedback about the temperature, pressure, and texture of objects she touches.
In a recent study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, researchers reported that the woman could perform complex tasks with her bionic hand, such as picking up and manipulating small objects, tying her shoes, and opening jars. She could also feel a wide range of sensations, such as the warmth of a cup of coffee or the softness of a piece of fabric.
The researchers believe that the woman’s success with the bionic hand is due to the fact that the prosthetic is implanted directly into her arm. This allows the prosthetic to tap into the woman’s neural pathways, giving her a more natural and intuitive sense of control over the hand.
The bionic hand the woman received is still in the experimental stage, but it represents a significant prosthetic breakthrough. The researchers hope the technology will eventually be available to more people who have lost their hands or limbs.
