The team receives DDI funding
DDI funding facilitates pushing research beyond the laboratory.
We are delighted that Data Driven Innovation has awarded the laboratory £25k to progress our work with broad stakeholders to co-create the world’s first Internet-enabled prosthetic hand; connecting the user and the clinic seamlessly. Secure data flow and artificial intelligence (AI) sit at the heart of this bidirectional link.
Context
Worldwide, over three million people live with upper-limb difference. Prosthetic hands can restore the look and function of the missing limb. Prosthetic hands are controlled with the electrical activity of stump muscles. A software programme decodes the user’s intended movement and actuates the prosthesis. In current practice, a prosthesis is fitted in a clinic. Once the user is home, the clinician “cannot” tell if the prosthesis is used or how well it is functioning. Statistics show that up to 44% of the upper-limb prosthesis users abandon their device [Salminger et al. Disability & Rehab, 2020].
Effect of COVID-19 on Prosthetics Services
COVID-19 has severely disrupted NHS-based prosthetic services. For example, the COVID-statements of the prosthetics unit of a top hospital in London is: "We have received your referral but are currently not scheduling any new patients unless clinically urgent. You will remain on our waiting list."
Another prosthetics centre in Edinburgh, more sympathetically, indicates: "Due to the current situation, we are unable to provide accurate estimates on waiting times."
In recovering from COVID-19, we see an opportunity to enhance prosthetic services radically by addressing a historic barrier, which is receiving a prosthetics service requires an in-person visit to a clinic.
We will collaborate with a range of stakeholders to document functional specifications, clinical metrics, and ethical considerations. Our approach will facilitate the translation of our innovation.
If you would like to take part in our research please contact Dr Kia Nazarpour