A few months ago, CAD House donated a Cubify 3D printer to Robohand to assist with building our print farm.

Today, after Robohand had a meeting with Bernard, the owner of CAD House, he graciously gifted Robohand a scanner and sculpting software. This is a great enhancement tool for Robohand.

The sponsorship of the Cubify 3D printer, the Sense scanner and Sculpting software, now makes a complete Cubify package for Robohand.

Thank you to Bernard and CAD House for your generosity and willingness to help out Robohand.

CAD House has just launched their CAD Lab which encompasses a complete 3D Development solution with membership plans to suite every budget. Not only do they offer great products and software but now you can sign up for a membership to use their awesome products.

Visit them at http://www.cad-house.co.za/ for more information or via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/3DPrinterRSA

]]> http://www.robohand.net/2014/02/technology-today/feed/ 0 http://www.robohand.net/2013/11/open-letter-to-robohand-diyers/ http://www.robohand.net/2013/11/open-letter-to-robohand-diyers/#comments Tue, 26 Nov 2013 15:45:00 +0000 http://www.robohand.net/2013/11/open-letter-to-robohand-diyers/ Continue reading →]]> Important Safety Information for the Robohand

Greetings, 

My name is Tyhanna Esham, OTR. I am an Occupational Therapist with twenty years of experience. For the past ten years I have specialized in hand therapy in Atlanta,Georgia.

Recently, I returned from Johannesburg SouthAfrica where I studied Robohand design with its creator Mr. Richard Van As. Since his accident two years ago resulting in amputation of several digits, Mr. Van As (an amputee himself and having an intimate knowledge of the unique issues facing hand deficit individuals) has devoted much of his personal time, finances and knowledge toward developing cost effective, functional and safe uses for the Robohand design. 

Regarding Construction of the Robohand: 

• Use Robohand design #44150 (thingiverse) for durability. The “Snap Together” Robohand model (thingiverse # 92937) was intended for demonstration use only. It lacks strong, secure hardware and is prone to failure with heavy use. 
• Use quality hardware as listed in the Assembly Manual. Lesser quality hardware may result in failure, rusting, poor cosmetics and most importantly a dysfunctional Robohand that could cause injury and infection. Stainless steel hardware with dome nuts must cover exposed screws to prevent injury to the wearer or others. Although stainless steel adds to the initial cost of a Robohand, it is stronger, safer and less likely to cause injury/infection making it more medically appropriate. Another benefit of stainless steel hardware is that it can be reused in upgrades as the child grows or as the Robohand is updated or replaced. 
• Custom moulded Orthoplast is medically appropriate for Robohand use, provides an excellent surface for pressure distribution during use of the Robohand, thus decreasing the likelihood of pressure areas and injury. It is recommended that an experienced Occupational Therapist or Hand Therapist do the moulding. PLA plastic should not be used on bare skin. Although low cost and somewhat mouldable when heated, the PLA plastic’s pitted surface will collect sloughed skin cells, becoming an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. Its’ rough edges, pitted surface and inferior custom moulding characteristics make it likely to chaff the wearer causing skin lesions that may become infected. Medical Orthoplastic, when used by an experienced practitioner, is easily moulded, modified and cleaned. Use of zip ties, duct tape, and ill fitting, make shift items, like shin guards are likely to cause pressure areas. With continued use, these inappropriate items are likely to impair circulation, irritate fragile skin, sensitive scars, compress nerves and cause skin lesions. 

Regarding Application/Use of the Robohand: 

• Robohand should only be used by children/individuals with good skin integrity and intact sensation who possess the mental capacity to safely wear and properly use it. Children should be of an age to request and understand the purpose of the device. 
• Wearers must inspect their skin regularly to ensure safety of fit. Any problems must be promptly addressed to prevent injury. 
• Amputations, crush injuries, burns and multiple or recent surgeries often result in fragile skin, compromised circulation, sensitive scars, and painful neuromas. These issues can take years to resolve and may result in a life long struggle. This last scenario is made more likely if an ill fitting device is applied or any device is applied when inappropriate. Burn victims and individuals with hyper sensation or lacking sensation are generally not good candidates for Robohands. 
• Please do not use children for R&D purposes as they are often unaware or unable to reliably report pain resulting from an ill fitting device. 
• Consult with an Occupational Therapist or Hand Therapist to determine suitability and proper fitting. 

Parting Thoughts: 

Robohands are a tool that can enhance performance of certain tasks; they should not be presented as a panacea. We need to be mindful of not creating unrealistic expectations. Sometimes other devices or adaptations are more helpful. 

While I admire and encourage exploration of 3D printing technology to expand ways to help people with limb deficiencies find functional, low cost, life enhancing devices, I recommend the use of consenting adults who will participate in follow-up during the R&D process. 

I too am excited about the new Robohand technology, but I must emphasize caution and discretion with its use. Children, their parents, and adults with limb deficiencies may be experiencing physical and emotional difficulties that people with normal limbs cannot imagine.

Let us all tread lightly and first, Do No Harm. 

Sincerely,

Tyhanna Esham OTR/L RobohandUSA 

Lynda Poole, OTR Paediatric Occupational Therapist 

Grae Scheuber BSc(Hons), RobohandAustralia 

I first heard about ROBOHAND in early February 2013, on Talk Radio 702 when John Robbie telephonically interviewed Richard [Rich]. I sent an Email to Rich who had lost 4 fingers whilst using a circular saw and told him of the loss of the top two segments of my left hand index finger after being bitten by a Violin spider on 28th August 2011.

I had investigated a prosthetic finger, but as my finger and hand still needed corrective surgery, I was waiting for my hand to stabilize after this surgery.

Rich telephoned me back that same day and I made an appointment to see him the next day.

He turned out to be a straight talking no nonsense family man, with a great sense of humour [which I pushed to the limit], a charming and supportive wife Beth.

Rich took measurements of my ‘stump’ and the angle of movement I was capable of and said he would work on a ‘ROBOHAND’ and contact me when it was ready.

On Sunday [no rest for the wicked] 21st April 2013 I arrived at Rich’s house where Rich assembled the prosthesis step by step. His Robohand was the first one he had produced and mine was number two.

Rich has a workshop at his house with everything he needs to produce the finished article. His workbench has dozens of spare parts for mechanical fingers.

The prosthesis is custom made one step at a time with checking measurements being taken as each step is progressed. It consists of several parts that have to be aligned correctly in order for the ‘finger’ to be functional. The ‘finger’ is straight when the ‘stump’ is straight, but as the ‘stump’ moved towards the thumb, the top of the finger curls inwards to meet the thumb giving the ‘finger’ gripping power.

All that remains is to ‘decorate’ the glove, then train the brain to recognize and use the Robofinger.

This is Dave’s amputated finger.

Dave lost his finger due to a spider bite. A really poisonous nasty spider bite that made him incredibly ill. I have not posted any photo’s of what Dave’s hand and arm looked like after the spider bite or the surgery as they are very, very gory. But this is the end result. Dave lost most of his index finger on his left hand.

Robofinger for the left hand too? Yes. Robofinger has been developed for left and right handed people. Although Rich lost his fingers on his right hand and developed the Robofinger originally for the right hand, we have created it for lefties too!

Richard had to create Dave a special ring as the standard ring did not fit due to Dave’s stump being slightly shorter.

Richard had chosen a medium size finger and that was the picture we posted on our Facebook page as the one for Dave, but Dave required a small, so Rich had to start with anodizing first before putting the finger together. The anodizing is quite a lengthy process which took up a major part of the day.

While the parts were anodizing Rich started with moulding the hand cap for everything to attach to. It’s slightly different creating this hand cap to the one for the full Robohand as thumb and other fingers are still in tact.

Preparing the hand cap is also a complicated and lengthy process. We advise this be done by an Occupational Therapist. The hand cap takes a lot of cutting, sanding and moulding. On, off, on, off, a tweak here, cut a bit off there, make sure the palm is not completely covered and so it goes. But finally Rich had it perfect.

Rich put the anodized parts together and so the Robofinger began to take its shape. While sitting with Dave, we discovered that he is an avid astronomer, a musician, a painter as well as holding his day job in Electronics. He is a very busy man so having a Robofinger is a top priority.

Once the piece began to take the shape of Robofinger Rich began attaching everything to the hand cap. Many fittings on and off to ensure no pinching and the fulcrum is correct.

After a long hard day for Rich, seeing Dave’s smile when he tried on his finished Robofinger was well worth it. Welcome to the Robohand Family Dave!

As the videographer at MakerBot, I kept coming back to the thought that a video about how Robohand is using their MakerBots would be quite powerful. I presented the idea to my team, got approval, and bought a ticket to Johannesburg.

I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into when I landed in Jo’burg. I’d been Skyping and emailing with Rich for a while by that time and I knew he’d set up time with some of the children using Robohands. But at that point, the trip was mostly fueled by trust and inspiration. I have to admit – my first morning in South Africa was a bit overwhelming. I’d messed up my rental car reservation, my bank had frozen my account, and driving on the left side of the road is way more challenging than I had expected. But when I finally met up with Rich and his lovely wife Beth, all my troubles melted away. They were incredibly warm and friendly and I knew I was in good hands.

On Friday we met with Liam and his family. I shot footage of Liam getting a larger size Robohand and interviewed his mom Yoldandi. On Saturday Dylan came out to Rich’s for his very first Robohand. Seeing the joy on his face the first time he tried on his new mechanical hand and noticing the tears form in his mother’s eyes gave me chills. It was in that moment that I knew that the Robohand story is as precious as I thought it might be – and that I would have the opportunity to share part of that story with the world. On Monday Waldo came with his mom to get a resized Robohand from Rich, and I got the last of the footage for my shot list.

Rich and Beth stuffed gifts into every pocket of my suitcase to bring back to the team at MakerBot, and waved goodbye. I’m back in the States now and can’t stop telling everyone about the wonderful people I met, and the wonderful project they’re working on. I am so honored to be able to take part in sharing this story with the world, and I can’t wait to see what becomes of it.

Go Robohand!

After a busy Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we took Annelise from MakerBot around Johannesburg and showed off a little. We started at the Rosebank Rooftop Market, where there is such a vibrant display of African artistry.

We asked one of the stall owners to please blow a Vuvuzela for Annelise so she could hear that African sound. And then we asked her to imagine 5000 Vuvuzela’s in a stadium and the reverberation that takes place.

We came home for a home cooked meal of Roast Lamb with all the trimmings. We went out for frozen yogurt for desert and then took a stroll around Monte Casino.

All in all it was a fabulous day. Thank you MakerBot for sending Annelise over the pond to SA.

Waldos hand coming for repairs

The last day of the long Easter weekend and Waldo and his mom arrived for his “upgrades” and “adjustments”. Waldo’s first Robohand’s fingers were made slightly smaller and tighter for him to practise his dexterity. His wrist movement has improved dramatically and he has been visiting with Carmen the OT once a week.

Richard reprinted his hand on the MakerBot Rep 2 ready for assembly this morning.

While waiting for the hand assembly to be completed, Waldo was playing on his tablet to pass the time. During discussion with Waldo, he expressed that he is very excited as cricket season starts at school in the next term and he can’t wait to try out for the team with his Robohand.

He has also been practising at home a lot, to pick up things and we have uploaded several video’s to our You Tube account. http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnMi2JjodBWItWmE-zdZmBw

Another long day but we are on the home stretch completing the tension of the cords and making the final adjustments.

Happy days. Waldo’s Robohand is complete and looking awesome. Well done Rich for another outstanding achievement. Waldo we hope to hear great things over the coming months.

Dylan arrived at Robohand this morning for the fitting of his Robohand. There have been several discussions with the family and with Dylan before he decided that he would try out the Robohand. Dylan had some reluctance when it came to the functionality and the aesthetics of Robohand. Being twelve and not having had his hand all his life he was a bit hesitant how Robohand could benefit him.

His mom and dad had surprised him a few weeks ago with a visit to Robohand and the possibility of Dylan receiving a hand.  Dylan loves technology but it was a bit of a shock when he was exposed to Robohand. 

However, he is now inspired and ready to receive his Robohand. Here are pics of the hand cap after fitting before being put together.

Dylan has not allowed his handicap (or smiling hand as he calls it) to hold him back. He is an avid Cricketer and Golfer. He made it onto the Shot-put team and is a swimmer, a chess champion and does triathlon. He is starting to learn boxing too which we think is quite an accomplishment.

We will upload all the pictures taken during the day to our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robohand/260864887366912) but here is Dylan seeing how the hand feels with the fingers on. The cords still need to be attached and everything to be cleaned up.

On Dylan’s elbow is a really nasty scar (on his smiling arm) from a climbing (and falling) accident when he was younger and he had to have a pin put in his elbow. A very determined and capable young man he will try everything once.

Once the basic assembly was complete and Dylan tried on his hand, he wasted no time in trying to pick up the ball! I had already turned off the video after Richard and Dylan had discussed what final adjustments need to be made so I did not catch him reaching over and picking up the ball for the first time ever! It was awesome tho’. We made him do it again and posted a second video after this one.

http://youtu.be/snPIItUStS4

We have come to the end of the day and Dylan’s Robohand is complete and fitted. We got some awesome photo’s and video and he and his Dad were already playing catch in the driveway and Dylan caught the ball.

Well done Richard and Dylan!