I Limb Hand Responses.

I Limb Hand Responses.

Reed Mueller

5/31/2008

Thanks to all the individuals who did respond.
 
Reed,
 
We fit one last month on a BE who has used a myo for about 20 years. Our upper extremity expert came to help me with it, but for the most part it really fits like a regular myo prosthesis. We used the Otto Bock wrist rotator, electrodes and control unit, and the hand connects like any other hand. The patient didn't have any trouble controlling the open and close, but since rotation was a new feature for him, it is taking him a while to get used to supination. That has nothing to do with the hand though. It is really quite impressive to watch how the hand moves so naturally. He was able to hold his wife's hand without crushing it. He's noticied an improvement in how he goes about grasping things for normal daily acitivites. He just uses the hand on the weekends or special occasions for now since he works in a fairly dirty environment and doesn't want to ruin it. We put the LivingSkin cover on it.
 
The skin has been the only challenge so far. I had to add a buffer between the skin and the socket because the skin had so much friction on the socket that it was not allowing the wrist to rotate. I put a cuff of cardstock between the glove and socket (trimmed down so you don't see it), and it's working fine now. Unless LivingSkin comes up with a better solution than a ring of paper on an expensive arm I guess we'll leave it there! The skin fits a little baggy in places (thumb and hypothenar eminance), which for the price, I think it should fit better.
 
I didn't deal directly with Touch Bionics since our upper extremity program ordered the hand, but I have talked to LivingSkin about the issues with the glove, sent them pictures, and they are suppose to be getting back to me about our concerns.
 
Overall, the patient is very happy and says that everyone comments on how real the hand looks.
 
Let me know if you have any other questions.
 
2.
Reed,
 
We are fitting our first this afternoon so I can only comment on the
customer service so far. The cost difference between buying direct from
Touch Bionics vs. SPS is $0 but SPS has them in stock. If you purchase
through Touch Bionics, there will be a lead time of 3+ weeks and you might
have to wait for the hand to clear customs if shipped directly from the UK.
 
Regards,
 
-Scott Schall
 
3
Reed-
I was a skeptic also. But since he is going to be a user anyway, work on the rest of the socket and just try the two in comparison. I just did a trial fitting with a patient and going between the ob hand and the ilimb is like night and day. Now it looks like I have a lot of paperwork to do in justifying it to the adjuster. Regarding the long term durability remains to be seen, but my patient's face lit up when we put it on.
Tom Cutler, CPO, FAAO
 
4
I've done one so far. Ultimately it has been very successful. Initially we had some durability issues but Touchbionics worked them out and with great enthusiasm. This unit is also very easy to repair-- In January, I made this video: <URL Redacted> to show anyone who might have difficulty understanding how to swap fingers out). Since touchbionic's latest upgrade, I have not had any fingers fail.
 
The i-limb is very intuitive and much more functional than any other TD available in my opinion. I hope this helps and good luck.
 
Christopher Moore, BS L/CPO
 


 


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