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The DEKA Arm

September 20, 2009 5:00 PM

New technology is making it possible for amputees to pick up small objects they never thought they would master thanks to the biggest innovation in prosthetic arms since WW II. Scott Pelley reports.

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by torrese November 10, 2009 6:29 PM EST
Very impressive achievement. I have worked for over ten years on the representational end of this problem, from mathematical models to cortical neurons to simulations of versatile behavior. I have modeled arm motions and experimentally tested many related theoretical questions in neurological patients, in Parkinson's patients and in young people. I have great appreciation for what they have done and for the way in which they have approached the problem, particularly from a practical stand point. VERY creative!!! This work will help many people and will advance many related fields.

As for the inaccuracies on what makes us humans, it does not seem an intentional mistake made on purpose to offend people. Clearly if they are trying to help people recover function and so forth, they'd be the least probable to say something offensive on purpose. It was probably an unfortunate mistake due to being in front of the cameras and pressed for time, etc. It was insensitive yes, but not intended. He seemed too excited and happy for the potentials of this new discovery to be a bad guy. In any case, the mistake should not steer away the attention from what has been achieved here.

Way to go Deca and the engineering team!
Saludos from New Jersey
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by practicalprosthetist October 27, 2009 6:33 PM EDT
I feel badly for anyone that has lost a limb, but there is a limit as to how much gadget tolerance any amputee will endure, and the DECA arm exceeds what most amputees will accept. Most amputees want the most RELIABLE, comfortable, anf functional prosthesis possible. Spending 100 million so that the 200 vets can have an opposible thumb (that they have to operate with a foot switch) is a waste of VA funding. The story indicated that the project started with a clean slate. The 150 years of experience prosthetists have in fitting a residual limb to a mechanical device seemed to be ignored. Too bad, it might have saved the engineers some headaches. But hey, they got 100 million to build this mechanical marvel, they don't need any help. Ask the long time users of a prosthesis if they would want such a contraption. That would have been a good starting point. Fred Downs ought to be fired for signing off on this boondoggle. Amputees make for good film coverage, the real tradgedy of the wars are the head injuries that outnumber amputees 50:1. These victims need new technology to help function better in the presence of neuromuscular deficits.
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by bjhartford October 20, 2009 7:35 PM EDT
how would i contact a persopn in charge of a military operation like this or the "shadow". I have some ideas that I would like to contribute, if anyone has any ideas I would really appreciate it (please email me).

Thanks, bjhartford@hotmail.com
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by mom2tati September 29, 2009 12:11 PM EDT
As a mom of a child that was born without her left wrist and hand I appreciate the attention this is receiving. I think this is great since not much else is available. All I have ever been told is that when my daughter is old enough she can get a prosthetic if she wants. But I know if she had a lower extremity amputation she would have already been fitted with something. This information has given me hope that all amputess from military to children like my daughter have something to look forward to as advancements are being made in this field. Just hope that this reaches everyone that needs it and money is not an issue.
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by Cindy19632 September 24, 2009 2:41 PM EDT
As a medical non-professional of now 16 years, and an ex-prosthetic/orthotic office manager, I feel this device must and most importantly be presented to all available candidates/patients who qualify for an upper extremity device available on today's market. It is our responsible as fellow American's to promote the appropriate coding/billing and delivering of this device. Thank you for providing individuals across the world the ability to live a more productive life with the utilization of this prosthetic device. Cindy Crawford, Wildwood, FL
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by Allan_Wellhausen_Sr September 22, 2009 11:24 PM EDT
People who are making such a big issue out of the statement that an opposable thumb makes us human are people who have them and not people who have lost a hand or arm.

Granted there are a whole slew of primates with an opposable thumb, but we are not talking about what make us human as to what makes us feel human, the lose makes us feel less, and anyone who can?t see that simply is missing the point.

The work is long overdue and it?s a shame it taken a war to have gotten us this far. While I can?t say I like war, you cannot discount that a lot of Tec breakthroughs come about because a country is at war. The same went for the space race, a lot of people saw no need to get to the moon, but it was not so much getting there as it was making it possible to do so.

Sometime it?s not the goal but developing the means that make something worthwhile.
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by smarcus21 September 22, 2009 2:08 PM EDT
I cannot help but say DITTO to all the comments about the inaccuracy about what makes a person HUMAN! Aside from being wrong scientifically, it was insensitive and hurtful to those HUMANS who have lost limbs! My son is a 23 year old law student who lost his left arm in an unfortunate waverunner accident this past December. He did not miss any school and worked for 2 judges this past summer. He now has a Dynamic Arm made by Otto Bock and all the problems and challenges that everyone else with a prosthetic have commented about. It is uncomfortable, malfunctions often and is quite expensive! Unlike the soldiers, we have received no financial assistance and our insurance company has totally denied our claim! But, my son is an active, energetic and productive member of our society who is VERY MUCH HUMAN!
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by Kasara2010 September 21, 2009 11:19 PM EDT
I completely agree with bfdg46250. I was a bit offended by that statement. Humans are still humans without opposable thumbs. People who have lost a limb are not any less human than those who have all of their limbs- Though they may not feel that way at times, proportionally. I can only imagine having to live with out such an essential part of one's self. It is very brave. I seen people do some pretty amazing things with out their hand or leg. Good luck to all of you!
The DEKA arm should be included in President Obama's new healthcare reform for those who need it. Maybe it'll get more support after that. - Just a thought Im putting out there. I appluade all the brilliant minds and efforts that's been put to into this project.
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by hookuser September 21, 2009 7:38 PM EDT
i have been using a artificaL arm for 50 years have two hooks one for dress,and one for work. With the old mechincal elbow. yes they sweat and hot after 8 to 10 hours of wearing But it better than noting. hope they can fit many with the new DEKA ARM in the near future
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by bfdg46250 September 21, 2009 3:35 PM EDT
After reading through Scott Pelley's bio, it seems obvious why he does not believe, or was not aware that humans are not the only species who have opposable thumbs. Pelley was born, raised and educated in Texas. He broke the stories about Clinton's scandal, and he "somehow" landed the first interview with GW Bush after he was elected President.

It's obvious that Pelley is just as misinformed and deluded about evolution as the rest of right-wing America. Of course, he's going to think that humans are the only ones with opposable thumbs. He probably also thinks that women have more ribs than men and that the earth is only 6000 years old, and that fossils were put here by the devil to "trick us" and "test our faith".

How can we really trust a news program like 60 Minutes to be impartial, when the partisan bias against reality is so apparent on in their reporting.
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