The Pentagon's Bionic Arm

60 Minutes: Pentagon Is Working To Develop A Life-Changing, High Tech Prosthetic Arm

(CBS)  This story was first published on April 12, 2009. It was updated on Sept. 17, 2009.

When Americans are wounded in Afghanistan or Iraq, no expense is spared to save their lives. But once they're home, if they have suffered an amputation of their arm, they usually end up wearing an artificial limb that hasn't changed much since World War II.

In all the wonders of modern medicine, building a robotic arm with a fully functioning hand has not been remotely possible.

But as 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley first reported in April, that is starting to change. One remarkable leap in technology is called the DEKA arm and it's just one of the breakthroughs in a $100 million Pentagon program called "Revolutionizing Prosthetics."

Fred Downs has been wearing the standard prosthetic arm since 1968, after he stepped on a landmine in Vietnam.

"It's a basic hook. And I can rotate the hook like this and lock it," Downs told Pelley, demonstrating the limited movement ability of his prosthetic arm. "In those days they didn't have a lot of sophistication about it. They fit you and say, 'This is your arm, this is your leg.' And it was the best technology in those days and you just had to make yourself learn how to use it and I did."

Today, Downs is the head of prosthetics for the Veterans Health Administration. He told Pelley the technology used for his arm was developed during the World War II era.

"There's a hook, something out of Peter Pan. And that's just unacceptable," Dr. Geoffrey Ling, an Army colonel and neurologist who's leading the Revolutionizing Prosthetics program, told Pelley

Col. Ling is a physician with big dreams and little patience, especially when touring Walter Reed Army Medical Center and meeting the troops he's working for. "We have a saying in the military, 'Leave no one behind.' And we are very serious about that. And that doesn't mean just on the battlefield, but also back at home," he said.

Ling told Pelley they've made great strides in artificial legs, but a good arm has never been within their grasp. "If you look at your hand, it's an incredibly complex piece of machine. What nature provides us is extraordinary. The opposable thumb, the five finger independently moving, articulating fingers. It's fantastic what this does."

"And when you lose your hand you've lost something that makes you human," Pelley remarked.

"You're so right Scott. Because, think about what makes us separate from every other animal species. We have an opposable thumb. That is, in fact, what makes us human," Ling said.

Ling is determined to give that humanity back. His project is run out of DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - the same group that oversaw the creation of night vision, stealth aircraft, and GPS.

Ling told Pelley it's a very large scale project. "It is very much like a Manhattan Project at that scope. It is over $100 million investment now. It involves well over 300 scientists, that is engineers, neuroscientists, psychologists."

One of the scientists Ling asked to join the team is Dean Kamen, a sort of rock star in the world of inventors. His creations include dozens of medical devices, and the Segway.

They are inventions which have made him a multimillionaire.

"When the folks from the Defense Department came to this office and said, 'Here's what we need,' what did they tell you?" Pelley asked.

"We want these kids to have something put back on them that will essentially allow one of these kids to pick up a raisin or a grape off a table, know the difference without looking at it. That is an extraordinary goal," Kamen explained.

"He basically said, 'You're crazy.' That’s what he told us," Ling remembered. "He said flat out, he and he himself, who's a crazy guy himself, I mean he is very innovative thinking. He's a brilliant man, totally brilliant man, but mad scientist."

Kamen told Pelley he thought the Pentagon and DARPA were unbelievably optimistic in their expectations and that he told them that.

"He said to us, he said, 'I can do my, you're crazy. But, we're willing to rise to this, rise to the challenge because it’s important,'" Ling remembered.

Kamen took 60 Minutes behind the scenes at DEKA, his company in New Hampshire, to show Pelley how inspiration becomes invention.

"Engineers design a part on a computer, he fires it up here on our network," Kamen explained.

[gourylevgregory]

I think this might be useful to people who are working on developing bionic arm:

PIANO TECHNIQUE SECRETS REVEALED. IT ALL BEGINS WITH PROPER HAND DEVELOPMENT.

To order Video Visit the Following Website: http://accordacademy.com/PianoTechniqueHandExercises.aspx

These exercises are great for anyone taking piano lessons, teaching piano lessons, and for those who already playing and just looking for ways to add agility to their fingers. They are really useful for children to help them develop their hands properly. These exercises are also very useful to anyone who misusing their hands in everyday activities. And HERE IS THE BEST PART, In reality they are useful to everyone because they stimulate one of the largest portion of your brain which is devoted to operating your upper limbs. So, the end result by doing these exercises you not only going to have healthy and agile hands/fingers, but you are also going to be getting smarter. Can you think of any more precious gift to give the children in your life? And Here is the bonus: YOU DON NOT NEED TO BUY ANY HAND STRANGTHENING TOOLS TO TRAIN YOUR MUSCLES. Y0UR BRAIN WILL DO ALL THE WORK FOR FREE. THE KNOWLEDGE IS YOURS - TAKE IT!

[ebisik]

It is so exciting that technology has come so far where one (an amputee) can get some functionality back. At the same what you getting back is your independence. So, I hope that one day they will make a "hand" that actually will fit for a woman.

[patpace]

It was great to see all this and Walter Reed very impressive. I can see this part of Research could use and account for an additional 2 or 3 Billion dollars.

For decades our government has done a very good job of saving taxpayers? money with inadequate Veterans Affairs funding.

President Obama recently made excellent leadership appointments to Veterans Affairs. Even with their proven leadership abilities, and impeccable credentials, both Secretary Eric Shinseki and Deputy Secretary W. Scott Gould are facing the cumulative inadequacies of decades past. The tiny fuse of overmedication that has kept this whole VA system operational for 30-some years now desperately needs to be replaced with major re-wiring.

This young generation of veterans should not have to experience the palliative treatment of health care most veterans using the VA have experienced for decades. It would be great to see the VA step into the 21st century as the leader in world-class health care.
But after decades of under-funding, this proposed new VA budget is not enough. For our new leadership to achieve its full potential along with world-class VA health care, a one-time, additional funding of $20 billion for a ?21st century investment in VA healthcare? is desperately needed.

The VA has many good doctors working there who will feel much relief to actually have the opportunity to treat their patients instead of just medicating their symptoms.

Pat Smith, Pennsylvania

[mpatnode]

I feel that the DECA Arm program should work and collaborate with the Jim Henson's people. they have been making robotic arms for a long time. they look better then the DECA ones look. no not the foam creations. don't let the ego get in the way of the engineers. get to thinking you guys. I feel many engineers don't think out side the box like they need to to solve heath problems. like they need to. they must get to know who they are working for.

they have a grate team for thinking out side the box. I have looked at a lot of Jim Henson's Creatures. they have put a lot of time in to what arms move like. all we need to do next is to fix it to work next with the body.

that foot thing to control the arm is not a grate way to run a arm. what if your trying to walk and move your arm at the same time. come on.

I have a son of special needs. He has scoliosis of the back. His legs do not move and his right arm is flacid, the left arm has limited range of motion. He eats by a "G" tube in his tummy and can't swallow. He has a tracheotomy in his neck to breath through SIMV, a ventilation device to assist with his breathing. He?s extremely nearsighted and what he truly sees we just don?t really know. Most would describe A.J as a quadriplegic. He cannot speak. AJ is a wonderful inspiration to my wife and family and we are very honored and thankful to be his parents. with all this I must think out side the box every day.


Im very disappointed also in our country. to only in vest 100 million in this. that is only like movie project any more. what a darn shame. with so many amputees from all the wars. they made a big sacrifice for this country. did they not! we owe them so very much. when we wast a trillion and a half dollars on banks. then they go have parties. drive nice cars. fly in jets. what a lot of crap. cant we put the real sacrificing people in front row. not bank milliners. the people that lost body parts gave their all to us to be safe. so we can have a nice life here in the USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tdhillon640]

what if someone has a real arm, but is unable to generate any motion in the arm? I suffered a Brachial plexus injury and lost control in my left arm. Can these small computers be used to bring back the motion in the arm?

God Bless those who are bring such innovations and making differences in people's lives. Thank you!

[dtoys67]

I am very impressed by this advancement in prosthetics! It would be amazing to be able to pick up a grape or pick up a cup and drink. I was curious as to why they never mentioned the myo-electric prosthesis. They jumped from the hook to this as if there were never any other advancements. I was one of the first children to try the myo-electric arm in the late 70s and used my myo-electric arm until a few years ago when I had problems with my insurance company.

[vipe6000]

You want a real story see how DEKA stole my whole idea !!
Jeff Elkins [e-mail]

[vipe6000]

This is ******** i patented this years ago THE DEKA ARM my ass
My patents cover this control system here is the patent number us007186270b2

Jeff Elkins [e-mail]

[vipe6000]

This is ******** i patented this years ago THE DEKA ARM my ass
My patents cover this control system here is the patent number us007186270b2

Jeff Elkins [e-mail]

[pricemarke]

i lost my left hand in 1977 grain arger in a factory i have had a hook since if they ever want someone for trail of this arm i would be very happy to have one i have forgot what it would be like to have a left hand.thankyou and sorry about my typing skills.

[rcpatter]

Very interesting story. As a biomedical engineer who has worked both inside and outside government sponsored projects I was disappointed that 60 minutes didn't solicit an unbiased review of the bionic hand from an amputee outside the government organization. The control system appeared bulky. The learning curve to work the hand appeared intense.

$150 million funded to a private company would have yielded a much better hand, one that amputees could actually use today.

[iLimb]

Actually the iLimb hand is the best hand available. Its made by Touch Bionics and I'm an OIF amputee. Its by far the best thing on the markett. all finger move individually, and conform to object, and the thumb is just like a human thumb. http://www.touchbionics.com/

Otto bock is releasing the Michaelangelo hand shortly as well, which will be beter than the iLimb hand.

[linda506]

The article on the Bionic Arm was of very much interest to us. Our son was injured in a workplace accident last fall. His right hand was severed above the wrist. It was re-attached by a wonderful surgeon at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. He is now going to physio everyday and is hoping to get some movement in his thumb and middle finger, over time. The index finger was amputated and the last 2 fingers have lost the muscle that make them work, so they will be useless. His wrist was shattered, so he will never have use of that. He is thankful to have his hand, but, in time he may realize that an artificial one may be better for him. He is young and hopefully there will be more advancement in the future. Thank you for the wonderful article!!

[blaseyamona]

While the DEKA arm unquestionably will improve the
lives of hundreds of soldiers and thousands of others with limb loss, the prohibitive
costs and lack of local infrastructure?electrical power, trained
prosthetists, repair and clinical facilities?in conjunction with
poverty render these technologies largely inaccessible to most of the world. This
will change with time; nevertheless, the vast majority of upper extremity
amputees worldwide presently have no access to prosthetic
devices of any kind.

Take a look at an innovative solution by PhysioNetics, to the worldwide problem; an interface and adjustable-force split hook.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVqR5_OekGY

Here is a video of a someone using the adjustable-force split hook with his custom interface.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jWFQbI_fAw

[mzellmer1]

CBS 60 minutes staff

I was just blown away when I watched your report on the DEKA arm project. It seems that science fact is rapidly overtaking science fiction in my lifetime. This story remarkably demonstrates that the epoch of limited options for the disabled is near an end. As a design engineer, I applaud all those involved in this development and how they have not only advanced the technology but for inspiring those young minds that will follow their efforts. IMHO, a giant leap for mandkind.

-Marv Zellmer

[vipe6000]

Check this out http://www.wmsti.org/news2.asp?NewsID=9
i have been working on this for 15 years.

[alos31]

This story was the best that I have seen all year! It's amazing to think that veterans will soon have use of prosthesis like this! Thanks for the great story.

[tigranolya]

wow. We are in the lead!

Want to Know Top Secret Pentagon for all time?

Visit to http://offto.net/topSecretPentagom/ find out more.

[middleoftheroad]

Mr: Kuniholm:

Thank you for the informative post and the links. I'm glad you mentioned APL, and I was surprised that the Lab wasn't mentioned in the 60 minutes story.

I took a quick look at the links you referenced, and, I must admit, I am surprised at how far along the techniques are for controlling a limb using nerve impulses. To me, this seems like an incredibly complex problem. I know detecting the electrical signals from nerves is not very difficult, using very high dynamic range and low noise amplifiers. But detecting signals from a large singular nerve, such as the optic nerve, seems almost trivial compared to the number of nerves needed to control a hand and an arm.

I agree with you on the matters related to funding. Even if DARPA or another government agency increased the funding by another order of magnitude, I feel this would be well wroth the cost. Not only would advanced artificial limbs be produced, but advances in things like motor control techniques and signal processing would probably result. So, the return on investment would be great.

My posts were of a sarcastic nature, but they were in the same vein of your point on over-simplification. I think too often the public picks up on advancements in medicine and engineering and assume problems are already solved or easily solved. We hear the words "stem cells," and we assume they can be used for any medical problem.

[JonKuniholm]

I just wanted to respond to a few things, in case anyone who posted comments is still paying attention and is genuinely interested in the issues. A recent article I wrote on the topic addresses some of these and gives an overview of the economic constraints of the market for prosthetic arms here:
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/print/7908
Some pictures of one of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab arms is here (this is the prototype that is the basis of the final design, which is in progress):
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/print/7105

I should say first that the pattern recognition technology presented in the video is merely a tool of my research, and not something that I developed. Kevin Englehart's group at the University of New Brunswick in Frederickton, Canada, has been doing this stuff for more than 20 years, and is in fact what enables the recent targeted reinnervation patients to do anything with their rearranged nerves and muscles (http://www.unb.ca/biomed/people_englehart.php).

Given the size of the market, it is truly a wonder that anything at all is being spent on prosthetic arms. For this we (researchers and patients) are thankful, even though, as many comments have pointed out, $100 million is not much. In fact, it's less than the cost of a single Joint Strike Fighter. While I believe that Col Ling is absolutely right that the technical challenge here is equivalent to the Manhattan Project or the Apollo Project, the relative budgets are nowhere near comparable. In 2006 dollars, these budgets were nearly $25 billion and $130 billion, respectively, with the R&D budget (procurement excluded) of the Joint Strike Fighter project weighing in at almost $50 billion. What Col Ling's researchers have accomplished on their relatively small budget is amazing (and it should be pointed out that DEKA got the smaller share).

For these reasons, I think that it is imperative that the impact of the government's investment here be maximized. I'll simply say that as I pointed out in the IEEE article above, I think that standard open interfaces for control and componentry are crucial to the continued evolution of these devices. Such an architecture would allow, for example, an alternative to the foot controller. I haven't tried it, but I have the same question as the commenter who referenced walking. In any case, we have seen over the last 30 years what the we get when this tiny market is dominated by a single company (not DEKA or JHU), and this industry is in serious need of some collaborative innovation. Even multiple companies in competition over the small market is not the solution, and since the government is writing the checks, I hope that it ensures that we get our money's worth.

I'll simply make a more general point related to many of the other comments, of the "why don't they" sort. One problem is that most reports on science in the media make the mistake of simplifying the discussion to emphasize the simplest point with the highest impact, often at the expense of nuance. This can leave the impression that much more has been accomplished than really has. This applies to the ease with which other "ready for Discovery Channel" technologies can actually be applied to this problem, or to the ease with which the technology presented can actually make it to market.

Despite the fact that I'm an engineer working on one of these projects, and a DoD retiree with Cadillac insurance, I still wear the same hook that Fred Downs does. Because I have more of my arm than he does, I can pick up a grape and feed it to myself with that 1940s design. 75% of amputees are like me. For us, the problem is how to reproduce the function of the hand and wrist, and that goes far beyond the grape.

There is more discussion of many of these issues and interesting projects that volunteers are working on at the Open Prosthetics Project:
http://openprosthetics.wikispot.org/
http://openprosthetics.ning.com/

Jon Kuniholm