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About the solution
Tony is the Black Sabbath band guitarist, and by the time he had the accident, he considered quitting, as at the hospital he was told he would never play again. But a friend showed him a Django Reinhardt record and encouraged him not to give up.
After attempting to learn to play right-handed, Tony strung his guitars with extra-light strings (using banjo strings, which were a lighter gauge than even the lightest guitar-strings of the time) and wore plastic covers over the two damaged fingers. He down-tuned his strings to ease playing and bending.
The musician made the plastic covers himself, by melting plastic liquid-soap bottles into a ball and then using a soldering iron to make holes into this ball, putting his fingers in while the plastic was still soft enough to be shaped. He then trimmed and sanded away the excess plastic to leave himself with two thimbles, which he then covered with leather, to provide better grip on the strings.
"Melted it down, got a hot soldering iron and shaped it like a finger", he recalled. Then he cut sections from a leather jacket to cover his new homemade prosthetic.
“He said: ‘Well, this guy plays with two fingers.’ And that really inspired me to do it,” explained the guitarist, who’d eventually begin experimenting with prosthetic tips — making the initial version out of metal. “I tried different materials, and then at the end of the day, I came up with a leather that would grip the string. It was very primitive, but it worked”, the inventor explained.
Tony was ranked number 25 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
“It became a burden. Some people say it helped me invent the kind of music I play, but I don’t know whether it did. It’s just something I’ve had to learn to live with. It affects your playing style; you can’t feel the strings, and there are certain chords I can’t play. Right at the beginning I was told by doctors: “You won’t be playing guitar.” But I believed I could do it, and I did”, Tony stated.
Adapted from: http://bit.ly/2ozoqVa
https://youtu.be/Lw6M1TddcL0
This solution shall not include mention to the use of drugs, chemicals or biologicals (including food); invasive devices; offensive, commercial or inherently dangerous content. This solution was not medically validated. Proceed with caution! If you have any doubts, please consult with a health professional.
DISCLAIMER: This story was written by someone who is not the author of the solution, therefore please be advised that, although it was written with the utmost respect for the innovation and the innovator, there can be some incorrect statements. If you find any errors please contact the patient Innovation team via info@patient-innovation.com
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Robohand - A 3D-printed thermoplastic mechanical hand
Physical disability
Amniotic band syndrome
Limb amputation
Limb traumatic amputation
Traumatic amputation
Hand
Arm
3D-printed device
Prosthesis
Working
Do housework (cleaning the house, etc.)
Grip
Studying
Limb Amputation
3d Printed
Body-Worn solutions (Clothing, accessories, shoes, sensors...)
Difficulty walking or moving
Joint deformity
Joint pain
Joint redness or warmth
Joint swelling
Limited range of motion
Reduced grip force (grip)
Restoring mobility
Replacing lost limbs
Promoting self-management
Managing Neurological Disorders
Promoting inclusivity and social integration
Recovering from Traumatic Injuries
To improve Treatment/Therapy
Neurology
Orthopedics
Pediatrics
Vascular Surgery
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524
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Device to help amputees take a shower
Physical disability
Limb amputation
Elderly
Leg
Prosthesis
Showering
Toileting (washing hands and body, dry up, etc.)
(SELF)-CARE: HYGIENE: Maintaining personal hygiene
BODY BALANCE: Maintaining body balance
Limb Amputation
Assistive Daily Life Device (to help ADL)
Difficulty walking or moving
Frequent falls
Loss of muscle coordination
Muscle weakness
Promoting self-management
Maintaining Balance and Mobility
Preventing (Vaccination, Protection, Falls, Research/Mapping)
Orthopedics
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