New device for trapezics

1997/12/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Elektronika

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in charge of health policy, has given a green light to the electronic device called freehand. From now on tetraplegic patients will notice a big difference, as the new system allows the use of hands. So far it has not been marketed in the world, at least, with the approval of the administration.

The new device generates stimuli that generate movement. Under the skin is a device of 5 cm in length, with a small microprocessor and the battery necessary for its operation.

When the patient wants to move the hand, it produces the movements through a shoulder (up or down, left or right) and are collected in a computer, to later lead the electromagnetic waves that the device will receive, which become electrical stimuli and cause movement. Obviously, only patients who can move the shoulder can use the new device. In addition, the device also generates incompatibilities, such as pacemakers.