Rewriting Life

Bionic Finger

by MIT TR Editors
February 23, 2010

Patients who have lost one or more fingers can now replace their missing digits with powered artificial fingers. While those who have lost an entire hand have been able to use motorized prostheses for years, the small volume of an artificial finger made it difficult to cram in the required electronic and mechanical components. With a miniaturized motor and gearbox at the base of the finger, each ProDigit can be individually controlled using myoelectric impulses.