1. The DEKA Arm
Michael Heath

2. Problem Being Solved Loss of upper limbs in war Paralysis
Gives use to arm, isn’t just a “fake” arm

3. History of Prosthetic Arms
First prosthetic arms thought to be used 1,000 years ago
Movable joints with control used in early 1800s
US government agency for advancing prostheses formed in 1945 after WWII
Largely unchanged since then
The standard of care today is a body-powered “hook”

4. Current State The DEKA or “Luke” arm Gen 1, 2, and 3
3 types: RC, HC, and SC
12 Dimensions of motion and counting

5. Gen 1 (generation 1) Project started at DEKA in 2006
Simultaneous control of multiple powered degrees of freedom
• Advanced grasp control
• Touch feedback
• Strength, range of motion, and speed to perform daily activities
• Tolerance to outdoor environments
• Advanced control

6. The “Luke” Gen 2 Refinements made to Gen 1 prototype
Designed for clinical study platform
Able to support up to 3 different amputations levels (RC, HC, SC)
Extensive testing by subjects helped to give feedback to support GEN 3

7. 3 Configurations
Radial
Humeral
Shoulder

8. The “luke” gen 3 10 degrees of freedom
- 5 brushless and 5 brushed DC motors
6 pre-programmed hand grips
Rechargeable Li-Ion battery
Multiple user input devices available ( foot sensors)

9. Limitations Price: cold start at over $100,000 apiece Short life span
No “one size fits all”
Small market
Not fully waterproof

10. Future Direction New DEKA arm in testing/developing stages
Clinical trials performed
Completely controlled by thought
Electrodes implanted into brain
Arm is “trained”
Jan Scheuermann (right)

11. References
Deka's Luke Arm In Clinical Trials, Is it the Future of Prosthetics? (Video). (2009, January 1). Retrieved September 27,
Doyon, T. (2012, October 1). Bio-Robotics: The DEKA Luke Prosthetic Arm. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
Griggs, B. (2014, May 1). FDA approves 'Star Wars' bionic arm. Retrieved September 26, 2014, from
Guizzo, E. (2014, January 1). Dean Kamen's "Luke Arm" Prosthesis Receives FDA Approval. Retrieved September 26,
Hruska, J. (n.d.). FDA approves the Deka arm, the first commercial mind-controlled prosthetic arm.
Norton, K. (2007, November 1). A Brief History of Prosthetics. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
Otto. (2013, February 1). Oandp.com. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
Resnik. (2013). The DEKA Arm: Its features, functionality, and evolution during the Veterans Affairs Study to optimize the DEKA Arm. Prosthetics and Orthotics International.
Statistics on hand and arm loss. (2014, February 4). Retrieved September 26, 2014.