Summary of Responses - Comparison / Experiences With High End Myo Hands
Loren Schubert
Description
Collection
Title:
Summary of Responses - Comparison / Experiences With High End Myo Hands
Creator:
Loren Schubert
Date:
10/29/2014
Text:
Thank you to all who responded to my question. I did not have too many responses, and some came from suppliers looking to provide me with further information.
Here is the original posting:
Dear List,
I have a patient who is interested in fundraising and purchasing a high end myoelectric hand. She is a 20 year old congenital amputee with a wrist Disarticulation level presentation. She would be looking at it for daily use and works in an office-type environment so I would predict low wear and tear or abuse to the hand.
I am looking for any prosthetist or patient's feedback regarding these hands, specifically the bebionic hand, i-limb, and michaelangelo hand. Comparisons between them during patient trials, functionality, ease of use, durability, long-term use, etc, would be much appreciated. Anything to aid in helping myself and this patient decide between these options would be helpful.
Thank You.
Here are the most relevant responses I received:
1) I've fit all three hands you've mentioned, and they are each very different. The BeBionic hand is very masculine looking and might not be preferred by a female user. The button on the back of the hand is a very convenient way to switch between different grasps and can make the hand more versatile for a single electrode site user.
The ilimb is more slender and has a very friendly user interface, including iphone Bluetooth connectivity. It also offers partial hand options which may be favorable to a wrist disartic.
The michaelangelo looks great and moves more natural with 2-5 digit ab/adduction and good thumb movement from lateral to cylindrical grasp. The flexible wrist adds to the natural look and improves function. There is no ability for the user to program grasp options like the ilimb, but I don't think most users use the different gestures.
The coolest arm I saw was a BE ilimb with an iphone recessed into the lamination. Who wouldn't want one of those?
2) I fit on BeBionic hand it it is ok. The glove rips quite easy though. I am interested in durability for the other i-Limb and Michaelangelo gloves. I have 3 quotes to an insurance company for another of my clients. They bocked at the Michelangelo hand so far.
3) I have worked with both Steeper and Touch Bionics and have fit many of both. First thing to mention is Steeper Bebionic3 hand is not available yet in Small. However a small hand should be ready for launch Nov or by end of year 2014 at latest.
Bebionic, is a very simple hand for the end user to learn and to control. User can have 8 grips programmed into the hand with utilization of learning and using only one trigger. This is due to the fact the microprocessor knows what position the thumb is in and separates grips/gestures by thumb position. The Small Bebionic is very well shaped, rounded Dorsal profile, small curved thumb, digits a very well proportional to palm for female patients, fingers move into adduction during closing, thumb is passive to position and only two positions and moves on 2 axis (in toward opposition and slightly up) which is very anatomical.
With that said, iLimb is more automated and has more grips available, but has 4 triggers which are assigned to 4 specific grips, one trigger to one grip. Patient must use MyBio Sim on computer or iPad to reassign or change grip options.
Both iLimb and Bebionic have option for long limb or wrist disarticulation . ILimb utilizes a standard plate and wire basket designs. Gives good build hight, but no passive rotation placement of the hand, where as Bebionic utilizes a very low profile friction wrist. Which gives good clearance and allows for 350 degrees of passive rotation.
Michaelangelo is now just coming back to market. It was pulled over paper work issues. It has only 2 grip configurations, a passive multi flex wrist that can be locked in multiple degrees of flexion or extension. It requires a sizable battery and user can not interchange with other terminal devices. It also requires room and may not be best for wrist disarticulation patient.
Please feel free to contact me if you'd like to know anything further about this topic and the information I have received.
--
Mr. Loren Schubert
Certified Prosthetist
P 604-321-1115 | F 604-321-7681
www.barberprosthetics.com
Here is the original posting:
Dear List,
I have a patient who is interested in fundraising and purchasing a high end myoelectric hand. She is a 20 year old congenital amputee with a wrist Disarticulation level presentation. She would be looking at it for daily use and works in an office-type environment so I would predict low wear and tear or abuse to the hand.
I am looking for any prosthetist or patient's feedback regarding these hands, specifically the bebionic hand, i-limb, and michaelangelo hand. Comparisons between them during patient trials, functionality, ease of use, durability, long-term use, etc, would be much appreciated. Anything to aid in helping myself and this patient decide between these options would be helpful.
Thank You.
Here are the most relevant responses I received:
1) I've fit all three hands you've mentioned, and they are each very different. The BeBionic hand is very masculine looking and might not be preferred by a female user. The button on the back of the hand is a very convenient way to switch between different grasps and can make the hand more versatile for a single electrode site user.
The ilimb is more slender and has a very friendly user interface, including iphone Bluetooth connectivity. It also offers partial hand options which may be favorable to a wrist disartic.
The michaelangelo looks great and moves more natural with 2-5 digit ab/adduction and good thumb movement from lateral to cylindrical grasp. The flexible wrist adds to the natural look and improves function. There is no ability for the user to program grasp options like the ilimb, but I don't think most users use the different gestures.
The coolest arm I saw was a BE ilimb with an iphone recessed into the lamination. Who wouldn't want one of those?
2) I fit on BeBionic hand it it is ok. The glove rips quite easy though. I am interested in durability for the other i-Limb and Michaelangelo gloves. I have 3 quotes to an insurance company for another of my clients. They bocked at the Michelangelo hand so far.
3) I have worked with both Steeper and Touch Bionics and have fit many of both. First thing to mention is Steeper Bebionic3 hand is not available yet in Small. However a small hand should be ready for launch Nov or by end of year 2014 at latest.
Bebionic, is a very simple hand for the end user to learn and to control. User can have 8 grips programmed into the hand with utilization of learning and using only one trigger. This is due to the fact the microprocessor knows what position the thumb is in and separates grips/gestures by thumb position. The Small Bebionic is very well shaped, rounded Dorsal profile, small curved thumb, digits a very well proportional to palm for female patients, fingers move into adduction during closing, thumb is passive to position and only two positions and moves on 2 axis (in toward opposition and slightly up) which is very anatomical.
With that said, iLimb is more automated and has more grips available, but has 4 triggers which are assigned to 4 specific grips, one trigger to one grip. Patient must use MyBio Sim on computer or iPad to reassign or change grip options.
Both iLimb and Bebionic have option for long limb or wrist disarticulation . ILimb utilizes a standard plate and wire basket designs. Gives good build hight, but no passive rotation placement of the hand, where as Bebionic utilizes a very low profile friction wrist. Which gives good clearance and allows for 350 degrees of passive rotation.
Michaelangelo is now just coming back to market. It was pulled over paper work issues. It has only 2 grip configurations, a passive multi flex wrist that can be locked in multiple degrees of flexion or extension. It requires a sizable battery and user can not interchange with other terminal devices. It also requires room and may not be best for wrist disarticulation patient.
Please feel free to contact me if you'd like to know anything further about this topic and the information I have received.
--
Mr. Loren Schubert
Certified Prosthetist
P 604-321-1115 | F 604-321-7681
www.barberprosthetics.com
Citation
Loren Schubert, “Summary of Responses - Comparison / Experiences With High End Myo Hands,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/236843.
