Son creates orthosis for his father's arm

José Sebastião Carneiro, the father, born in 1948, had to have his elbow removed, which means he is not able to perform simple activities such as grab objects.

So his son, a technology management telecommunications student came up with a solution and then gathered a team of specialists to help him bring his idea into reality.

The device is made of a support, an engine, electrodes and sensors. The system transfers movement impulses from healthy areas which suffered some kind of paralysis.

"Because José still has his forearm, the radio, it is possible to regain movement from that part of the body. What we do with the orthosis is to capture the movement stimulus that is in the upper part of the arm, and transfer it to the lower part, which allows him to raise it until 90 degrees, and lower it”.

The sensors capture the movement from the superior part of José’s arm which was not affected by the tumor, but it is incapable of, by itself, to allow him to raise and lower his forearm.

“It has nothing to do with my area of expertise. But I really wanted to help my father, so that we could improve his quality of life. So I talked with a teacher and explained her my idea”, the student said.

He and the teacher, Crishna Irion, gathered a team and started working, having a prototype for the bionic arm after eight months of researching and testing.

“I told Danilo that we would do the orthosis, even if it would be made of bamboo and plastic. Our intention is not to sell or win awards; We just want to help a person to feel better and happier”, Crishna assured.

José is very satisfied with this solution, which is still being adjusted and improved by the team.

Adapted from: http://glo.bo/2kki081