summary reader response draft 3

  The webpage " Hero Arm" (n.d.) from Open Bionics discusses the functions, features, and limitations of the Hero Arm bionic prosthetic. The Hero Arm is a 3D-printed wearable prosthetic that uses a "soft flexible elastomer" as its printing material which enables it to conform to the shape of the user's arm. The Hero Arm has a flexible and breathable Ventech Liner, that has breathable vents positioned throughout the liner enabling air to circulate and keep the arm cool. The fluted design of the arm enables it to expand outwards, making it easier to don and doff the arm. the arm features proprietary BOA Fit Adjustment technology which enables the frame to be tightened or loosened via an adjustment dial. This helps to combat the naturally occurring expansion and contraction that the user's limb experiences throughout the day. The Hero Arm comes in 4 different configurations, the first two are small hands with the option of a small or big wrist, and the third and final options are medium and large hands respectively. 

 According to Miskell(2018), the Hero Arm was considered one of the most "cost-efficient and functional prosthetics" in 2018. Technological advancements have come a long way and have made considerable improvements in the field of prostheses, the new prostheses system created by Ortiz-Catalan et al. is more functional. The key features that make the prostheses system an advancement upon the Hero Arm are the sensor suite, the lack of batteries, and the user feedback loop while using the arm.  

In the article by Ortiz-Catalan et al.(2020), the prosthesis created suffers no signal deterioration as it uses electrodes that were planted in the nerves and muscles via a process called targeted muscle reinnervation. In contrast, the Hero Arm features electromyogram sensors that detect muscle movements to which the "hand responds for intuitive control"(Open Bionics, n.d.). The electromyogram sensor is external, resulting in signal deterioration when a pool of perspiration forms at the site of the sensor. (Abdoli-Eramak et al.,2014) This is a drawback of the arm that Open Bionics openly acknowledges. In its user manual, it states that the Hero Arm should not be utilized in activities where failure to perform as intended could lead to harm or fatality for the users or others.  

The system created by Ortiz-Catalan et al. (2020) can provide somatosensory feedback as the ulnar nerve is rerouted to the motor branch. This provides users a feel for what is in their grasp. Kuar and Guan (2018) state that "approximately 60% - 80% of amputees experience phantom limb sensations", implying that a large group of amputees suffer from sensations caused by phantom limbs. According to Mioton et al. (2020), "targeted muscle reinnervation demonstrates improvement in residual limb and phantom limb pain parameters in major limb amputees. It should be considered as a first-line surgical treatment option for chronic amputation-related pain in patients with major limb amputations". This shows that the targeted muscle reinnervation helps patients who suffer from phantom limb sensations. In stark contrast to the Hero Arm which does not give users somatosensory feedback, it is only able to provide "haptic vibrations, beepers. buttons and light" to help the user control its motion. (Calvium, n.d.).  

The Hero Arm has a Li-Ion 7.5V 2600mAH battery which can be mounted to the arm either externally or internally to suit the user's needs. The battery life depends on usage, however, Open Bionics recommends "charging it every night". This limitation in battery life should be a consideration amongst users who partake in activities that might not allow them to recharge the battery such as camping. The system created by Ortiz-Catalan et al. requires no external batteries and is self-contained, eliminating the need to charge. This greatly increases the versatility of the prosthesis system.

In conclusion, although the Hero Arm was considered one of the best prosthetics in 2018, technological advancements have come a long way and have made considerable improvements in the field of prostheses, the new prostheses system created by Ortiz-Catalan et al. has taken over and is currently the cutting edge of prostheses technology. 




be clear on the use of the system vs the wearable prosthetic 

eg stick to the system for Catalan and hero arm for the hero arm.

thesis 

(refer to Columbia College APA referencing guide) - journal 

eg (n.d.) 

fullstops after the brackets 




Targeted muscle reinnervation demonstrates improvement in residual limb and phantom limb pain parameters in major limb amputees. It should be considered as a first-line surgical treatment option for chronic amputation-related pain in patients with major limb amputations



references be alphabetical 



Erin Miskell
https://digitalcommons.augustana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=biolstudent#:~:text=The%20bionic%20arm%20uses%20lights,Hero%20Arm%20is%20the%20price.

YouTube video explaining the process 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipw_2A2T_wg


pricing source 
https://openbionics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Marketing-Brochure-2022-UK-A4-with-pricing-WEBSITE.pdf

prof max arm for comparison 
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbot.2020.00039/full
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17531934221131756

calvium
https://calvium.com/projects/open-bionics/#:~:text=Special%20sensors%20within%20the%20Hero,you%20control%20the%20arm's%20movements.

sEMG vs iEMG
https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0219519410003599
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1746809418301447?casa_token=1qvMv2Ps07gAAAAA:Xb66NxqN7WkoArOIqTKG3nhLJOAXJ_yvUQVvsIA6X2qmfDlUEGzTp3Kiu-_6kvFpkS3W4wwTxHonpg
https://www-sciencedirect-com.singaporetech.remotexs.co/science/article/pii/S1050641112000843?via%3Dihub
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1917537 - useful arm


phantom limb pain source 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6354174/#:~:text=More%20recently%2C%20approximately%2060%25%E2%80%93,records%20to%20higher%20rates%20today.

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