New System to Improve Hand Functioning After Nerve Damage

Such a device will be the first of its kind to help mechanical movement and forces while being placed inside the body. After testing the device on cadaver hands, researchers realized that this form of technology could possibly provide new alternatives to patients who have lost use of their hands as a result of nerve trauma. Published in the journal Hand, the study is expected to connect artificial mechanisms with biological hand functioning.

Researchers admit there is still work to be done on the device. More research needs to create materials that are biocompatible with the device, in addition to giving scientists time to test the technology on animals and humans. However, the team fully expects this technology to work and given its success in its first trial, they hope to provide help to those needing replacement knees and or ankles. For now, this technology will be used to improve surgeries that restore gripping capabilities to hands that have sustained nerve damage.

Known as tendon-transfer surgery for high median-ulnar palsy, this procedure attaches finger tendons to a functioning muscle. Hand functioning is still impaired with this method of treatment, as a significant amount of force is required to move the hand.

Technology developed at Oregon State relies not on motor, electronic, or sensory capabilities, but is instead a simple pulley that can be placed into a person’s hand, which would improve grasping function without as much muscle energy. Many people who have lost functioning of their hands have experienced nerve damage from a traumatic injury, paralysis, stroke, or a number of other diseases.

This new device can improve natural and adaptive flexing of fingers when grasping an object. When measuring its abilities, researchers found that the force required to wrap four fingers around an object was decreased by 45%, and the amount of object slippage decreased by 52%. This hand contains between 35 to 38 muscles, 22 joints, and three nerves connected between the elbow and fingertip. Researchers are excited about this device’s implications for future biomedical technology and are attempting to create joints and limbs that function as well or better than they normally would. 

Author

Gary Starkman Dr. Starkman, a top Neurologist in NYC, is the Medical Director and founder of New York Neurology Associates. He is Board Certified in Neurology with a subspecialty certification in Pain Medicine.