General Bionic: Bionic hand prostheses

Main articles: Bionic prostheses

2025: Announcing the development of a line of functional and affordable mechanical and bionic hand prostheses

Students of PNIPU began to develop their line of functional and affordable mechanical and bionic prostheses of hands. This was announced on April 9, 2025 by the press service of PNIPU.

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Фото: PNIPU

As reported, after the departure of foreign manufacturers from the prosthetics market in Russia, an acute shortage of affordable and high-quality solutions for rehabilitation arose. High prices, a lack of specialists and components create restrictions for patients who have lost a limb. Students of the Perm Polytechnic studied the market and found that domestic companies cover only 20% of the need for such devices. In response, the team set about developing their line of mechanical and bionic upper limb prostheses, combining functionality and accessibility. As of April 2025, the project is at the prototyping stage. The study was conducted within the framework of the PNIPU Business Incubator Prototyping Center.

{{quote 'author
= shared project manager Viktor Semenov, a student at the Department of Technological Automation Processes of PNIPU, resident of the Business Incubator of PNIPU "Growth Dynamics"|The idea came back in 2022, when most foreign manufacturers of prostheses left the Russian market, and the Ministry of Labor of the Perm Territory reported a high need for high-quality solutions, which enterprises closed only by 20%. In this regard, patients face a shortage of supply and a long wait for the manufacture of a personal device. This was an impetus for us: to create a prosthesis.}}

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Фото: PNIPU

Students began implementing their project by developing an active traction brush prosthesis using 3D printing. It is a type of upper limb prosthesis that is driven by the user's muscular strength through a lever and a system of cables (rods). It's lightweight, doesn't require power supplies or sophisticated electronics, while maintaining basic functionality.

As of April 2025, polytechnics registered their company General Bionic (JB LLC) and are creating a line of innovative solutions that include the production of both mechanical (active traction) and bionic prostheses of the upper limbs. The team is working with the PSMU. Academician E.A. Wagner with the goal of jointly implementing the management of the bionic prosthesis of the hand through a non-invasive neurointerface without internal intervention. And rehabilitation and prosthetic and orthopedic centers allow direct contact with the target audience and quickly change the company's devices.

The neurointerface reads the electrical activity of the musculoskeletal zone of the cerebral cortex, transmits a digitized signal to the prosthesis, and the filtering neural network reproduces the necessary gesture (grip). This will ensure the most natural and intuitive interaction. The introduction of artificial intelligence will increase the adaptation of the device to the needs of the user.

We have already begun developing a neurointerface to manage the bionic prosthetic forearm. In fact, this is control of the device using thought. We are confident that they will have wide application not only in prosthetics, but also in rehabilitation, robotics, smart home systems and control of various technologies. narrated by developer

The manufacturing technology of the product mainly uses 3D printing, some of the parts are produced on milling machines and with CNC (numerical control). Over the next two years, the company plans to manufacture more than 95% of parts by 3D printing, applying the five-axis principle of printing with reinforcement (strengthening with carbon fibers) of polymer layers. Such a manufacturing process will provide greater ease and strength to the parts of each device.

As of April 2025, the General Bionic team includes robotics, mechanics, neurophysiologists, prosthetic technicians, 3D modeling and neural networks specialists. A model of the first prosthesis has already been created, which is now at the prototype stage.

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Фото: PNIPU

{{quote 'author
= noted Luisa Konogorova, Director of the Business Incubator of PNIPU "Growth Dynamics"|As of April 2025, the leading rehabilitologist of the Perm Territory V.A. Bronnikov was involved in the project, and there is also an active attraction funding for further development and implementation of the project.}}

The developers note that an individual approach to the patient allows you to make a device that makes life comfortable and comfortable. In addition, students are engaged in the creation of a network of service centers that provide technical support and regular maintenance of manufactured prostheses.

We believe in the power of partnership. We are already building relationships with local and foreign companies in order to exchange experience, attract experts, develop and implement various practices. added Victor Semenov

The project of students of the Perm Polytechnic will bring the field of prosthetics in Russia to the next level. The implementation of serial production of upper limb prostheses will increase their availability in the general public.