bebionic is a commercial prosthetic hand designed to enable amputees to perform everyday activities, that able bodied individuals may take for granted, such as eating, drinking, writing, typing, turning a key in a lock and picking up small objects. Designed in the United Kingdom, the bebionic hand is manufactured by RSL Steeper and is available worldwide. Since February 2nd, 2017 bebionc is owned by Otto_Bock
Contents
The first version of the bebionic hand was launched at the World Congress and Orthopädie & Reha-Technik, Trade Show, Leipzig, Germany in May 2010.
Technology
Unlike previous prosthetic hands, which may use a hook, the bebionic hand uses individual motors and microprocessors.
The bionic hand works on electrical impulses generated from the biceps and the triceps of the amputee. These electrical impulses move the prosthetic hand into the correct position.
bebionic 2.0
In September 2011, the bebionic second-generation prosthetic hand was updated with improvements to speed, accuracy, grip and durability. The updated version also saw the bebionic hand available two sizes - medium and large. The device was upgraded with new high capacity 2200mAh split cell internal batteries for increased usage time.
Patients
During 2008, Jonathan Metz, from West Hartford, Connecticut, got his arm wedged in his basement furnace. Trapped in his own basement for three days, he had no alternative to self-amputate his own arm. Since using the prosthetic hand, in 2010, his life has dramatically improved.
In 2012, Kingston upon Hull man, Mike Swainger, was the first person to receive bionic hand on the NHS.
Pop Culture
In the world of science fiction, the bebionic hand has been compared to the artificial hands of fictional characters such as The Terminator and Luke Skywalker from Star Wars.