FDA Approves The “Luke” Bionic Arm

Dean Kamen's "Luke" arm, which is named for the Star Wars character, has received FDA approval.

The FDA states that "“the first prosthetic arm that can perform multiple, simultaneous powered movements controlled by electrical signals from electromyogram (EMG) electrodes.”

From the Make article I sourced this from.....

"In studies at the Veterans Administration, 90 percent of participants were able to perform complex tasks their previous prosthesis couldn't handle: use keys and locks, prepare food, feed themselves, use zippers, brush and comb hair."

"The DEKA Arm, now in its third generation, is modular and configurable for different levels of amputation. In its maximum configuration, is has 10 powered degrees of freedom including a powered shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. The hand has six preprogrammed grips that are user-selectable. These grips are Power Grip, Tool Grip, Fine Pinch Open Grip, Fine Pinch Closed Grip, Lateral Pinch Grip, and Chuck Grip. Using a 2.4 GHz wireless interface with a proprietary protocol, a prosthetist can configure the arm system based on how the amputee wants to control the arm."

The article says that although getting the arm to be the same size and weight as a real arm was difficult, getting the hand to behave like a real hand was the biggest hurdle.