Robotics startup launches 3D printed bionic arms

A robotics company which began as a startup at Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) has launched the world's first medically certified 3D printed artificial arms for amputees.

After working with NHS England on the first trial of a wearable 3D printed medical device for children and young people, Open Bionics are ready to launch the device commercially in the U.K.

The Hero Arm, an advanced bionic arm, is small enough to fit children as young as 9 years old for the first time. Current bionic limbs are sized for teenagers and adults.

This is the first time anyone with a below-elbow amputation can buy a 3D printed artificial arm in the U.K. The U.K. is the only country in the world to have these devices available, with Open Bionics planning a U.S. launch at the close of 2018.

Open source
Open Bionics believes the fastest way to innovate is to share R&D. The company is open source, meaning its technology is available to anyone who wants to take its work and develop it. With more minds working on a problem, a good solution will be found faster. Recently, researchers in the USA evolved our technology to create ultrasound-powered bionic arms capable of playing the piano. Go Georgia Tech! If you missed the video posted yesterday on Today’s Medical Developments, watch it here.

More about Hero Arm
Features:

• Powered bionic hand controlled by muscles
• Open Bionics manufactures the hand, socket, and frame as an all-in-one custom prosthesis formed perfectly for the wearer
• Breathable socket enhances comfort in challenging environments
• Removable socket for easy access, simple care of prosthesis
• Compressible and expandable socket delivers comfortable fit in varying conditions
• Long battery life for all day usage without needing to recharge
• Multiple, easy-to-select grips give greater user control; can be reconfigured to preferences by a prosthetist
• Freeze mode where hand can be held in a static position for no fuss, reliable grip, i.e. holding a glass
• Lights, sounds, vibrations – Full suite of tools give feedback on status of bionic hand
• Lightweight, weighs less than 1kg
• Custom covers
• Posable, rotatable wrist through 180°
• Posable thumb
• Proportional control of the speed of fingers for delicate tasks

Making difference
One of the company's youngest users is Cameron Millar, aged 10. Millar was born without a hand and has already used his new 3D printed bionic arm to try archery for the first time.

Millar, who was fitted by the clinic HCi Viocare in Glasgow, says: “I absolutely love my Hero Arm, it's the one prosthetic that I have used more than any other device I've tried. It's lighter, it moves better, and is way cooler than any of my previous prosthetics.”

Another user who was fitted with one of the company's first prototype bionic limbs is 12-year-old Tilly Lockey, who was a baby when she lost both hands to meningitis. She was fitted with her new 3D printed hands by the clinic, Dorset Orthopaedic.

Sarah Lockey, Tilly's mom, says: “The day Tilly lost her hands, I made a promise to her that I would get her hands back. Working with Open Bionics on Tilly's new hands has been incredible. The technology has come such a long way since Tilly was a baby. We were essentially told it was impossible to get her bionic hands because the technology was too big and couldn't be shrunk down for her.

"It has been incredible to watch Open Bionics. What they are developing, a lot of kids want. What went from a sad state of prosthetic design came this explosion; a 3D printed device that was lighter, cheaper, a very stylish design that helped Tilly play with the Wii for the first time without having to sellotape the controller to her arm. She can brush her own hair with it and paint one handed. Things that we all take for granted. The design has been carefully considered to stop kids from getting bored. Tilly's favorite feature is that it has interchangeable covers and she can match them with her outfits.

"Open Bionics has created a hand that my 12-year-old wants to wear and has fun with. It helps her with everyday life and it looks great too.”

The award-winning company has built a reputation for building bionic limbs from the world of science fiction. It developed its technology at BRL's business incubator before relocating to the neighboring Future Space innovation center at the University of the West of England's Frenchay campus.

Collaboration
In 2017 the firm won a Guinness World Record for fitting an amputee with the world's first bionic arm built from a video game; the popular gaming title Deus Ex.

NHS England was the first healthcare system in the world to deliver 3D printed bionic hands to patients as part of a study with Open Bionics in 2017.

Co-founder of Open Bionics, Samantha Payne says: “We're incredibly excited to launch the Hero Arm after spending four years working with amputees and healthcare professionals to develop a device that is advanced and low cost. We're particularly proud of our collaboration with NHS England and look forward to working together to make these devices suitable and available for NHS patients.”

Joel Gibbard, co-founder and CEO, adds: “The limb different community has been absolutely amazing in their support of us developing the Hero Arm. Huge thanks goes to the parents of young children who need bionic limbs for their patience and tireless enthusiasm for our work. They have been a huge motivation.

Open Bionics hopes to have the devices made available to NHS patients. The company is currently in the planning stages of a medical trial to assess the suitability of the device for NHS standards with a group of patients across three NHS clinics.