Students Develop a More Affordable Artificial Muscle-Operated Arm
From: Ryerson University - 03/29/2011

Two Ryerson University undergraduate biomedical engineering students have
developed a prosthetic arm that is controlled by brain signals. The
Artificial Muscle-Operated (AMO) Arm enables amputees more range of movement
as compared to other prosthetic arms, and also allows amputees to avoid
invasive surgeries and could potentially save hundreds of thousands of
dollars. 

The AMO Arm is controlled by the user's brain signals and is powered by
"artificial muscles" - simple pneumatic pumps and valves - to create
movements. In contrast, traditional prosthetic limbs typically offer more
limited movements and rely on intricate and expensive electrical and
mechanical components. 

The digital device makes use of signals in the brain that continue to fire
even after a limb is amputated. Users wear a headset that senses a signal and
sends it wirelessly to a miniature computer in the arm. The computer then
compares the signal to others in a database. The resulting information is
sent to the pneumatic system, which in turn, activates the arm to create the
correct movement. Simulating the expansion and contraction of real muscles,
the system makes use of compressed air from a small, refillable tank in the
user's pocket. The students are now working on a design to fit the tank into
the arm itself. 

Since the device does not include microelectronics and motors, it costs
one-quarter of other functional prosthetic arms, which can run users more
than $80,000, depending on the complexity of the prosthesis. 

Read the entire article at:
http://www.ryerson.ca/news/media/General_Public/20110329_RN_CairesPr.html

Links:
Bionik Laboratories Inc.
http://www.bioniklabs.com/

Engineering students get a grip
http://journalism.ryerson.ca/article/9884/

Pneumatic thought-controlled prosthetic arm created by students
http://www.gizmag.com/pneumatic-thought-controlled-prosthetic-arm/18289/
http://www.gizmag.com/pneumatic-thought-controlled-prosthetic-arm/18289/picture/132511/