this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2024
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Robotic ‘Third Thumb’ expands hand’s range of motion, carrying capacity | Study showed, 98 percent of participants successfully manipulated objects with the Third Thumb, with only 13 unable to perform (interestingengineering.com)
submitted 6 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] Breadhax0r 11 points 6 months ago (2 children)

I remember seeing this same thumb ages ago and it was mentioned that while it was originally developed to help the disabled, it was also surprisingly useful to the normally abled as well. What I really want to know is when will I be able to get one for myself

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 months ago

Don't. I already did a little write up about this a while ago, I work in orthotics and prosthetics.

This device was created by an 3d printer artist and tested by a cognitive science lab. It's really not a medical device, and wasn't tested to the same degree that medical devices are subjected too.

When testing devices that are actually made to help the disabled, the criteria isn't just that the pt can utilize it, but that the utilization the device provides is greater than what the patient would be able to do without it.

None of the actions done by the second thumb are things you wouldn't be able to do as an amputee in the first place. People are highly adaptive and will figure out ways to utilize their body or what's left of their amputated limbs.

There are a few reasons this will never be utilized by disabled people. The largest one being that foot controls aren't ever used in upper limb prosthetics, mainly because they only work when you are sitting, or standing still. If this has been made by a prosthetic lab they would have used myoelectrics, the same tech we've had for like 40 years.

Secondly, how is an amputee or disabled person going to don this device by themselves. A medical device that's meant to give you more independence also requires help to put on?

And lastly, the main benefit of having a thumb in the first place is that it is opposible. The thumb isn't really useful by itself, it's meant to work in conjunction with other fingers for manipulation. If you wanted another place to hold or pin something in place you would just stick it in the crease of your elbow.

It's a neat art project, but pretty limited as far as a prosthetic device. My main criticism is for the cognitive lab that partnered with the artist in the first place. The university is using this as a marketing device for their department, and shouldn't be claiming it's a medical device. If they were serious about it they would be partnering with actual orthotist or prosthetist or a biomedical engineering department, not cognitive science.

[–] z00s 3 points 6 months ago

There are versions online that you can 3d print already