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Hand exoskeleton enables paralyzed people to grasp

#diseases #exoskeleton #medicine #research #technology

A spin-off from EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne) has developed an exoskeleton that enables people with paralyzed hands to grasp and release objects again. Tests in hospitals and rehabilitation centers have already been successful.

The exoskeleton is intended for people who can no longer or only partially move a hand after a stroke or accident. The device, developed by the Lausanne spin-off Emovo Care, consists of cables attached to the back of the hand that function like tendons along the fingers and are connected to a motor.

When the patient activates the device via a remote control, the artificial tendons exert a slight pressure on the index and middle fingers. This allows him to grasp a small ball, a glass or a spoon, for example - and to control the strength of the grip independently. A second button on the remote control gives the opposite command, causing the fingers to stretch and release the object.

The goal, however, is not to restore the full functionality of the hands, the EPFL said. Rather, the goal is to enable patients to perform a few basic movements on their own again.

Only recently, the spin-off's development received the ISO certification required for the marketing of medical devices. Funds are currently being raised to bring the device to market next year.

Written by: sda

Photos: Screenshot Youtube

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Mechanics performing maintenance work on an aircraft

Researchers make non-recyclable plastic recyclable

Swiss researchers have developed a new type of recyclable plastic that could be used in aircraft, cars or wind turbines in the future.
October 2nd, 2023
Recycled asphalt was used on the Lucmanier Pass

More recycled asphalt on Swiss roads

Tests with recycled asphalt on Swiss roads show promising results. In Uster ZH and on the Lukmanier Pass GR, the proportion of recycled asphalt could be increased without any loss of performance, according to Empa.
October 16th, 2023
a photovoltaic system on a house facade

Sun soon to be the most important source of energy

The sun is likely to become the world's most important source of energy before 2050, according to British scientists. This is the result of an analysis of technological and economic data by the University of Exeter and University College London.
November 27th, 2023
A hospital room with two beds divided by a curtain

Germicidal textiles for hospitals

A new process developed by Swiss researchers makes textiles germicidal. In future, this could be used to coat curtains in hospitals.
December 25th, 2023
G.V. Shivashankar arbeitet am PSI und der ETH Zürich

Fountain of youth for cells

Reprogrammed cells allow wounds in older people to heal faster. This could, for example, help burn victims.
January 1st, 2024
A scientist taking a water sample with a bottle

Gentle identification of fish species through their DNA

Identifying fish species in a river using DNA traces: This method was tested in Switzerland. It proved to be simpler and more reliable than the electrofishing method used to date.
January 15th, 2024
pressed plastic bottles

Microplastics fly particularly far and high

Microplastic fibres fly higher and further than previously assumed - even as far as the Arctic.
January 22nd, 2024
A futuristic aircraft with a blended wing body

Aircraft of the future make less noise

In an Empa research project, study participants rated the noise of new types of aircraft as less annoying than the noise of today's aircraft.
April 9th, 2024
the airship flying over a coast

British company produces climate-friendly airship

According to its developers, the British airship Airlander 10 could take off for commercial flights with passengers from 2028.
April 22nd, 2024