Cite this article:
Wolf Schweitzer: Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - Becker Hand - best grip in town [mechanism visualization]; published April 19, 2019, 11:57; URL: https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=9609.
BibTeX: @MISC{schweitzer_wolf_1571315177, author = {Wolf Schweitzer}, title = {{Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - Becker Hand - best grip in town [mechanism visualization]}}, month = {April},year = {2019}, url = {https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=9609}}
Visualisation of the mechanism or inner workings of one of the fastest "bionic" (i.e. it has an adaptive grip) prosthetic hands has so far been relatively elusive.
The mechanism is one of the most extremely evolved in prosthetic hand device history - the manufacturer overlooks around 70 years of continuous product evolution. As many large manufacturers today do not "listen" and are not open for suggestion or critical evaluation, they are not making most of their shorter time of product evolution, further crippling their already short market exposure. This explains why the Becker hand is one astonishing perfect product - highly functional, attractive, very robust and very affordable.
Now, we worked out how to plastically show the inner workings or mechanism of a Becker Imperial hand.
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Wolf Schweitzer: Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - Case-study of a user-driven prosthetic arm design: bionic hand versus customized body-powered technology in a highly demanding work environment [article out]; published January 4, 2018, 14:29; URL: https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=8066.
BibTeX: @MISC{schweitzer_wolf_1571315177, author = {Wolf Schweitzer}, title = {{Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - Case-study of a user-driven prosthetic arm design: bionic hand versus customized body-powered technology in a highly demanding work environment [article out]}}, month = {January},year = {2018}, url = {https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=8066}}
The Editor’s pick have brought new insights in user-driven prosthetic arm design, autonomous multi-joint soft exosuits and virtual rehabilitation in stroke.
This is a blog post of one of the rare focused and well based scientific journal articles that really explains how real work, body powered and myoelectric arms relate and go together for a unilateral right below elbow amputee in a physically demanding work environment.
The prior presentation of this paper [poster at Cybathlon symposium 2016], which had been more pragmatically worded (with me thinking people would know anyway), this was now written up as article and published. During that process, the reviewers clearly made great points of all kinds of aspects I never knew were not sky clear to everyone.
So maybe, writing a ~ 30 page case study with > 210 references does clarify stuff, at least potentially and for those that actually read it. But possibly, it still requires attention to even just read it.
Knowledge does not come easy, Highlander! (Nakano, in: Highlander III The Final Dimension)
If you are more interested in visionary posts, read about the gadget features of the prosthetic arm in Kingsmen: The Golden Circle [link]. And technically, myoelectric control did have it coming. That technology remained uncool for four decades [link].
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Wolf Schweitzer: Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - How to fasten the Becker Lock Grip hand grip by increasing spring tension [how to]; published March 31, 2016, 13:07; URL: https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=5826.
BibTeX: @MISC{schweitzer_wolf_1571315177, author = {Wolf Schweitzer}, title = {{Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - How to fasten the Becker Lock Grip hand grip by increasing spring tension [how to]}}, month = {March},year = {2016}, url = {https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=5826}}
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Wolf Schweitzer: Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - Otto Bock's funny video (hooks after all? needle and thread benchmark?); published June 13, 2015, 16:18; URL: https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=4981.
BibTeX: @MISC{schweitzer_wolf_1571315177, author = {Wolf Schweitzer}, title = {{Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - Otto Bock's funny video (hooks after all? needle and thread benchmark?)}}, month = {June},year = {2015}, url = {https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=4981}}
After I seriously promoted hook grip predominance for years (read this friggin website), after I tried to introduce the Becker Hand to a wider audience (Otto Bock can not top that, it costs less than 700 bucks, is sturdy, survives even my lifestyle and does have an adaptive grip) also by using it to place a string into a needle YEARS ago, Otto Bock seems to now expand their heavy and overly expensive Michelangelo anchor with a choice of hook. They then manage to post an April Fool date video with that. How funny is that. Confused!!
Seriously. I was not THAT desperate for getting confirmation, and certainly not from these people.
As they sold me botched bolts a few years ago and when faced with bare facts (to this day) refused to apologize, instead recommended to get ergotherapy (probably to better use their crappy hardware) it is unbelievable to see them present this here. Why is the person not holding the needle with the hook, and using their natural hand to put in the thread? Where are ergo-therapists when Otto Bock needs them most?
We also realize that Otto Bock may not just have hooks that have a sustained capacity to grab threads. They also have other hooks. Incidentally, maybe keep posting videos of that one hook's ability to grab a string over the coming months and years.
And really, body powered remains the better choice after all. Not with Otto Bock parts though.
But with a Hosmer hook, a V2P prehensor or maybe a Becker hand. Exceeds most of Otto Bock's specs ; )
And seriously. If you are after real work (maybe here) (or a lot harder, here or here), ask me, maybe I found out stuff that could help you. Just saying.
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Wolf Schweitzer: Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - Comparing elbow torque for iLimb Ultra Revolution, passive arm (new, old), body powered arm (hook alu, hook steel, Becker hand) [tech]; published June 22, 2014, 20:32; URL: https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=3328.
BibTeX: @MISC{schweitzer_wolf_1571315177, author = {Wolf Schweitzer}, title = {{Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - Comparing elbow torque for iLimb Ultra Revolution, passive arm (new, old), body powered arm (hook alu, hook steel, Becker hand) [tech]}}, month = {June},year = {2014}, url = {https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=3328}}
I measured weights, center of gravity and thus lever arm length, and from these, I obtained torque estimates for my elbow (reminder: I am talking about that elbow, yes, THAT elbow, contained in the tag "below elbow amputee").
The elbow thus carries the weight and moves the prosthesis in a major way. It is the last joint that I have on that arm before it ends. The results are interesting and explain what I have already observed about my posture and handling of these prosthetic options.
The portrayal of (possibly faked or real) arm amputees in movies matters. So, when I watched The Men Who Stare at Goats, the Becker hand did catch my eye [link]. I followed up on that.
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Wolf Schweitzer: Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - Body powered arms [technical design overview]; published November 21, 2013, 07:05; URL: https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=2371.
Body powered arms are not the same. Despite everyone saying they understand what these are, these arms are not the same.
My setup explained, a generic setup explained. To show similarities and differences. For those in need to learn about this, technical differences to myoelectric arms are explained.
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Wolf Schweitzer: Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - ‘Wooden’ Arm Rejuvenates Amputee’s Outlook [Becker hand and prosthetic arm design success story]; published November 14, 2013, 06:26; URL: https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=2305.
BibTeX: @MISC{schweitzer_wolf_1571315177, author = {Wolf Schweitzer}, title = {{Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - ‘Wooden’ Arm Rejuvenates Amputee’s Outlook [Becker hand and prosthetic arm design success story]}}, month = {November},year = {2013}, url = {https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=2305}}
My website here specifically looks at, tests, plays with, and describes prosthetic arms as seen from my personal angle. I will praise components I like. I will tweak stuff and beat it into submission where I see fit. Or I will point out flaws and deficiencies. Clearly, the Becker hand is one of the big highlights - maybe not so much as seen from the eyes of an academic researcher (what do they know) but as seen from the eyes and felt from the heart of a person that actually attaches these things onto their body and wears them.
And so every now and then, someone else reads these things here, and decides to also try out something.
Apparently, these guys read this and went ahead to build Tim a prosthetic arm. Later, the prosthetist sent me an e-mail and some photos.
They set up Tim's arm with a Becker hand and made it look like natural wood.
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Wolf Schweitzer: Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - Becker hand sold as "rare antique late 19th century prosthetic articulated hand" on eBay for 1800 USD [funny stuff on eBay]; published September 8, 2013, 14:51; URL: https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=2093.
BibTeX: @MISC{schweitzer_wolf_1571315177, author = {Wolf Schweitzer}, title = {{Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - Becker hand sold as "rare antique late 19th century prosthetic articulated hand" on eBay for 1800 USD [funny stuff on eBay]}}, month = {September},year = {2013}, url = {https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=2093}}
On eBay, user scatjazz04 sells a Becker hand [sale page link], advertising it as "rare antique late 19th century prosthetic articulated hand", further down advertising it as "very rare", demanding 1800 USD.
After this was posted, in the meantime, the item's description was changed to "early 20th century". Also that is not true, and it is definitely not rare or even very rare.
This is a Becker Lock grip hand, patented in the fourties of the 20th century (so not "early") and built to this day by the Becker family (hence the name). Its new price is 350 to 650 USD, used Becker hands never are worth more than a new one as they are not considered "antique" by any means. Why anyone would treat these as "late 19th century" items and ask horrendous prices is not clear.
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Wolf Schweitzer: Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - Becker Phantom Bionic hand – turning ignition key, releasing hand brake [#stuffthatworks]; published June 4, 2013, 06:18; URL: https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=1717.
Being able to use the prosthetic for driving is a relevant aspect. Taking strain off the (remaining) left arm and hand is one very important aspect. And just enjoying the sheer ability is another. So here is how that works with the Becker Phantom Bionic hand.
I have the privilege to present to you the Becker Phantom Bionic hand.
It is ultra fast, silent and adaptive.
It is more effective than any other currently sold bionic hand. And it is durable, stable, robust and extremely fashionable. It carries boxes, holds power tools, and allows me to vacuum and to iron. But ultimately it is the many little things that cause me to really fall in love with this hand.
Noise issues with other hands
The Becker Phantom Bionic hand almost completely silent and works without getting all the attention some sick loud gadgets try to snatch these days - so it really works in social settings such as meetings or parties.
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Wolf Schweitzer: Technical Below Elbow Amputee Issues - Becker Imperial Hand [inside views]; published October 6, 2012, 19:51; URL: https://www.swisswuff.ch/tech/?p=934.
I recently trained for and passed the radiation expert course required by the Swiss Federal Office of Health for people that run machines that use ionizing radiation for diagnostic purposes. With knowledge comes power. Check these nice scan results, not too many bad artifacts. So, here we are with a first insight into the workings of my Becker Imperial hand.
