jkuniholm | The Open Prosthetics Project

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jkuniholm

Projects

Improved Split Hook: Open Prosthetics 5x+

Posted by jkuniholm

Open Prosthetics Conference (completed), August 18-20, 2017, Portland, OR

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Posted Links

StumpworX LLC Prosthetic Development - Stumpworx

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Hacking my arm prosthesis to output CV so that it plugs into my synth: Thought-controlled music!

Inventions

myoelectric

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Unpublished Links

StumpworX LLC Prosthetic Developent - Stumpworx

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Home | The Open Prosthetics Project

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Mobius Bionics touts 1st use of DEKA's LUKE bionic prosthetic arm – MassDevice

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Computer Science: Building Worlds with Alice 3D Animations | Duke TIP

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Artificial limb.

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Reviews

by jkuniholm, 30/7/2017

Position on the superiority of body power

This high school "senior exit" video from the grandson of a longtime body powered hook user comes to a conclusion that many of us here in the US have: that body power in its current form is superior to powered (often myoelectric) limbs, and is a great effort. Along the way, the author makes a few mistakes that are worth pointing out. Depending on the features, body powered limbs can be more expensive than cited (at least double the $4000), as can many of the powered limbs. Some of the research limbs featured cost in prototype form as much as $850,000, and aren't generally available. While targeted muscle reinervation (TMR) surgery is required for some forms of control, it is not required for all forms. The DEKA Luke arm (not featured, as far as I could tell), for example, can be controlled using a foot controller as well as traditional or pattern recognition myoelectric control.

The borrowed egg cracking scene using the touch bionics hand is certainly impressive, although I believe could be repeated by an experienced body powered voluntary closing or opening device user. Of course the question would remain in either case "why?", as most unilateral users would simply use their sound hand. A hook user wouldn't need the bottle opener to open the beer in the other borrowed scene, but the real substance of this debate should ignore party tricks of any kind, and focus on acceptance and on real activities of daily living (ADLs). This is a shortcoming of the debate in general, and the images selected for promotion of prosthetic devices are in general a misleading sample of real ADL tasks. The video does a good job of showing hook use in a number of very realistic situations.

Despite its flaws, the video is well executed, and it's refreshing to see something available that counters the common narrative in the media that either powered arms or 3d printed hands of one kind or another represent a sea change for arm amputees. This is a topic of discussion that would benefit from a more balanced representation on behalf of what most people have no idea is the true current state of the art--body power, as evidenced by Bob Radocy's victory with a body powered TRS Grip in the recent "cybathon."

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by jkuniholm, 31/5/2017

The best gathering I've ever been to for upper limb amputees

I was the first US Servicemember arm amputee from recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan to attend this long-running event held in Olney, Texas (originally the One Arm Dove Hunt), in 2010. I couldn't believe the fellowship and community that these folks had created in this small Texas town, and how attached people have become, travelling from pretty great distances (Canada, Australia) to attend for years, including one man who's attended every single one.

First conceived in 1972 by Jack Bishop and Jack Northrup (Olney's Two Jacks) as a joke in response to being stared at by bystanders, referencing all of the two-handed activities that they planned to participate in that weekend, the event has evolved to include a trap shoot, dove hunt, cow chip toss, horseshoe tournament, and the famous "Five Cent a Finger Breakfast."

While the hunt and shoot are fun, they are by no means a requirement for the event, and there are long-attending amputees who do not routinely participate in the shooting events. Mainly, the reason that arm amputees look forward to this event is for the opportunity to connect with friends new and old who share many of the same challenges in life that they do.

Universally, people who attend the event for the first time feel "at home" and as if they've gathered with old friends even if they've never met anyone there before that weekend. There's no substitute for shared experience, and nothing more valuable to those whose experience is so rare. The fewer than 50,000 arm amputees in the US share a pretty rare experience, and there aren't very many opportunities for them to get together.

This is one of them, and if you haven't been, do yourself a favor and get there. You won't be disappointed.

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Projects

Improved Split Hook: Open Prosthetics 5x+

Open Prosthetics Conference (completed), August 18-20, 2017, Portland, OR

Posted Links

StumpworX LLC Prosthetic Development - Stumpworx

Hacking my arm prosthesis to output CV so that it plugs into my synth: Thought-controlled music!

Body Power vs. Myo (High School Senior Project)

One-Handed World Packaging Study Dove Hunt Video

Becker Mechanical Hand Original Patent

Silicone Putty Fast Cure (like Sugru) for DIY

Unpublished Links

StumpworX LLC Prosthetic Developent - Stumpworx

Home | The Open Prosthetics Project

Mobius Bionics touts 1st use of DEKA's LUKE bionic prosthetic arm – MassDevice

Computer Science: Building Worlds with Alice 3D Animations | Duke TIP

Artificial limb.

Position on the superiority of body power

The best gathering I've ever been to for upper limb amputees