Mind-controlled 'bionic hand' fitted in three men

Scientists have successfully used a world-first technique to fit three Austrian men with robotic hands that can be controlled just by their thoughts.
All the three men, who received a new technique called "bionic reconstruction," suffered for many years with brachial plexus injuries and poor hand function as a result of motor vehicle and climbing accidents.
It combines selective nerve and muscle transfers, elective amputation, and replacement with an advanced robotic prosthesis, using sensors that respond to electrical impulses in the muscles.
Following comprehensive rehabilitation, the technique restored a high level of function, in all three recipients, aiding in activities of daily living.

"In effect, brachial plexus avulsion injuries represent an inner amputation, irreversibly separating the hand from neural control. Existing surgical techniques for such injuries are crude and ineffective and result in poor hand function," said Professor Oskar Aszmann, from the Medical University of Vienna, who developed the technique.
"The scientific advance here was that we were able to create and extract new neural signals via nerve transfers amplified by muscle transplantation. These signals were then decoded and translated into solid mechatronic hand function," said Aszmann.

Before amputation, all three patients spent an average of 9 months undergoing cognitive training, firstly to activate the muscles, and then to use the electrical signals to control a virtual hand.

Once they had mastered the virtual environment, they practiced using a hybrid hand - a prosthetic hand attached to a splint-like device fixed to their non-functioning hand.
Three months after amputation, robotic prostheses gave all three recipients substantially better functional movement in their hands, improved quality of life, and less pain.
For the first time since their accidents all three men were able to accomplish various everyday tasks such as picking up a ball, pouring water from a jug, using a key, cutting food with a knife, or using two hands to undo buttons.
Brachial plexus injuries occur when the nerves of the brachial plexus - the network of nerves that originate in the neck region and branch off to form the nerves that control movement and sensation in the upper limbs, including the shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand - are damaged.

Brachial plexus injuries often occur as a result of trauma from high speed collisions, especially in motorcycle accidents, and in collision sports such as rugby.
"So far, bionic reconstruction has only been done in our centre in Vienna. However, there are no technical or surgical limitations that would prevent this procedure from being done in centres with similar expertise and resources," said Aszmann.
The research was published in The Lancet journal.