MaxBionic MeHandS

The bionic prosthesis of MeHandS is intended for people 12 years with extent of amputation from a luchezapyastny joint are more senior (completely there is no brush) to an elbow joint (there is no part of a forearm).

2018

Announcement of a product

The MaxBionic company, startup in the field of biomechatronics, provided on December 17, 2018 the flagship product — a bionic prosthesis of MeHandS. This type of prostheses using electromyographic (EMG) sensors which read out the electric potential of muscles is controlled. This signal is processed by the controller then commands are transferred to engines, and engines, in turn, expose fingers in necessary provision.

The main feature of this prosthesis — a flexible podstraivaniye under needs of the person both using data entry through the application, and using a "smart" algorithm which calculates actions of the patient and either removes, or adds functionality.

Example: the person decided to run about with this brush, but because of sensitivity of sensors there will be false operation: the brush will spontaneously open and be closed that will entail inconveniences for the user. The accelerometer with a "smart" algorithm is capable to measure anomaly and to switch to the sports mode, turning off interactions with sensors. If this function is not necessary, it is enough to run a finger over the touchpad on a back part of a brush.

The prosthesis of MeHandS is made of high-quality materials (titanium, steel, duralumin, nylon, PVC, etc.) on ultramodern precision industrial by the CNC machines. As specified in MaxBionic, at production of a brush of MaHandS it is not applied 3D - printing. Thanks to the fact that all parts have original construction (the standardized parts from online stores are not used), users receive a prosthesis with characteristics, optimal for them.

According to representatives of the company, the product is monetized due to sale of semi-finished products. Semi-finished products are spare parts from which the prosthesis gathers, among them: brush, battery, charger, wrist and its modifications, different fastenings. The prosthesis gathers from spare parts. Thus, people from any country of the world can receive a product. In the future the company intends to consider the possibilities of inclusion of paid third-party software which will help to improve quality of life of the user.

In addition to the prosthetic and orthopedic industry, small demand from developers and producers of collaborative robots and also producers of anthropomorphous robots appeared. Demand is caused by the fact that it is more profitable and more interesting to producers to buy ready-made solutions, with service and with a guarantee, than to develop from scratch own solutions — explained in the company.

At promotion of the product MaxBionic is guided by b2b-audience: these are distributors, networks of clinics, clinics. According to representatives of the company, the product is dependent on prosthetic and orthopedic clinics, the user will not be able to set a prosthesis independently, and clinics are dependent on producers.

Building distribution of a product through network, we sink by the average check, but we increase the sales volume and the number of the covered audience that will allow to concentrate stronger on the range and service of products, noted in MaxBionic.

The main method of promotion of products for b2b for December, 2018 is pilot installation: when the company the producer holds a master class in use of a product and in passing sets a prosthesis to the user. Minor methods — a profile exhibition where clients can feel a product and get acquainted with it.^[1]

One of the first users of a bionic prosthesis of MaxBionic of Valentin Lauk shared in an interview the feelings from MeHandS application:

Principle of management

According to information for December, 2018, management of a prosthesis of MeHandS is provided at the expense of the following components:

• EMG are electromyographic sensors which are put to the surface of skin in a forearm and read out electric signals of muscles. The number of sensors depends on that how many active muscles remained at the patient after an injury. The more active muscles, the there are more management signals a prosthesis, therefore, it is possible to perform more captures and manipulations a prosthesis.
• Programmable radio tags are miniature radio chips which can change the gripper or a command when the hand is near the chip. Chips it is possible to locate in almost any places or to paste to a surface to provide access to optimal capture in this place. Chips are programmed using the application, and it can be reprogrammed at any time as required.
• Touch buttons of the control panel — in addition on all prostheses are installed the control panels duplicating one of the types of management described above. The big surface area of touch buttons allows to make management of functions of a prosthesis intuitive. The defined points executed in the form of one and two spheres drowned in a surface on the different ends of touch area allow to make switching of the modes to the touch, without visual contact.
• Using gestures — provides gripper type selection, through the smooth movement of a prosthesis in one of four directions (forward, back, to the left or to the right). Grippers for each direction are configured using the application.

Main features

• Mnogoskhvatny brush
• Feedback
• Mechanical system of prevention of a vyskalzyvaniye
• The Pylevlagozashchishchennost is IP64
• Touch buttons of the control panel
• Management using gestures
• Programmable radio tags

Construction

• Finger-tips are soft fingertips and a wide finger have the maximum surface area and improve coupling.
• Folding fingers provide the natural movement and flexibility when you move away people or face objects.
• The mechanical system of prevention of a vyskalzyvaniye regulates capture and prevents a vyskalzyvaniye when the taken subject slides.

The prosthesis has a strong metal frame using which loadings from fingers are transferred to a forearm. It allows a prosthesis to maintain heavy loads (to 30 kg) and to create powerful effort at accomplishment of the gripper.

The user has an opportunity to feel force of the gripper and work of a prosthesis on means of the vibromotor which is built in a kultepriyemny sleeve that he allows to manage a prosthesis even more precisely.

Compatibility

The prosthesis of MeHandS is compatible to EMG-sensors and JSB Otto Bock and other producers. It is possible to connect standard semi-finished products (EMG-datchiki, JSB) of the main global manufacturers to a prosthesis. On replacement or repair of a brush the minimum costs will be involved, claim in MaxBionic.

For December, 2018 MeHandS supports the following accessories:

• MeCharge supply system
• MeFlex wrist

Customization

Coloring of plastic elements of a brush or covering of outer surfaces of a krasyashchama by structures with different properties (metallics, opaque paints, etc.) is possible. The glove can be transparent or is colored in different colors.

Notes