Fists of steel
Five percent of all people between the ages of 16 and 85 suffer from a weakened grip, and therefore have difficulties turning a tap, turning the key in a lock or carrying out other day-to-day tasks. Having specially adapted tools for each task is expensive and impractical because there would be many things to purchase and keep track of. New KTH technology may have the solution to the problem.
Bioservo Technologies are developing a glove with artificial sinews that can provide a weak hand with extra strength. The solution comes from a joint effort between KTH and Karolinska Institutet and imitates the hand’s own function. A function that may be reduced because the person in question has had a stroke, suffers from psoriasis, osteoarthritis or other rheumatic diseases.
“The greatest gain is in the joy of once again being able to use your hands. At the same time we are working with the Employment Exchange as a customer, and there is money to be saved for society by getting people back to work. In addition, people who have a weakened grip do not need as much help from the home help services and the elderly care services which also involves savings,” says Jan Wikander, professor of Mechatronics at KTH.
Jan Wikander together with Hans von Holst, professor of Neuronics at KTH, are behind the development of a glove. It goes under the name SEM Glove (Soft Extra Muscle) and consists of two parts - a power unit and the actual glove itself – which together weigh 400g.
In the fingertips of the glove, pressure-sensitive sensors register when the user grips an object. A computer calculates how much extra power has to be added and regulates small motors which in turn adjust the wires which are connected to the fingers in the glove.
The degree of extra power and the maximum power can be adjusted individually which means it can be adapted to an individual’s injuries and abilities.
For more information, contact Jan Wikander at jan@md.kth.se or ring 08 - 790 73 70.
Peter Larsson