This applet demonstrates the use of bionics in a prosthetic device.
To try this
simulation:
Left-click and drag horizontally left and right to rotate the hand. Left-click and drag vertically up and down to open and close the hand. Right-click and drag horizontally to rotate the image.
What's Going On?
The hand in the case is a prosthetic device or prosthesis. It is used as a replacement for a similar human hand when a handicap exists. Inside the arm of such a prosthetic device are batteries and sensors to detect muscle movement. This controls a motor which moves the fingers much the same way a real arm would behave. Since a real hand is much more complex and functional than a mechanical one, much of the utility is abbreviated. The fingers cannot move individually and there is no feeling or feed back when using the arm. Some strength limitations are built into the arm so it will not destroy what it touches through lack of control.
There's More!
Technology from the space program has spawned a number of prosthetic devices. For example, NASA has developed an Implantable Cardiovascular Defibrillator (ICD). This is a miniature device that detects the beginnings of a heart attack and then provides the heart with small electric shocks.
NASA also designed tiny pumps that are implanted in the abdomen of diabetes patients to augment the pancreas. A sensor monitors the blood sugar level in the patient and periodically injects insulin.
The Cool Suit is derived from space suit technology. It can be worn by people born without sweat glands. Sweat glands regulate our internal temperature. People without sweat glands can overheated and die. The suit is a garment with small cooling pipes sewn into it. The suit senses the person's temperature and directs a cooling fluid into the tubes if the temperature goes too high.
