1. Laura Parra Biomedical Engineering
The DEKA Arm
Laura Parra
Biomedical Engineering

2. Current Prosthetics
Amputees are not satisfied with available technology.
Factors of abandonment
Proximal level of amputation
Trans-radial 6%
Trans-humeral 57%
Shoulder disarticulation 60%
Type of device
Poor training
Weight
Cost of repairs
Limited usefulness of device
Discomfort

3. What is the DEKA Arm? Prosthetic arm Inclined towards veterans
Funded by Department of Veteran Affairs and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
DEKA Integrated Solutions
Available in three configurations:
Radial, humeral, and shoulder
Offers many firsts
Office of Research & Development." DEKA Advanced Prosthetic Arm Gains FDA Approval. N.p., 19 May Web. 19 Oct

4. How does it work? Two control methods Optional surgical procedure
Targeted Reinnervation
Reroute residual nerves of amputees to pectoral muscles
When the person thinks of moving their arm, the signal travels to the nerve now connected to the chest.
Chest muscles contract
Contractions are sensed by electrodes in the chest, send signals to prosthetic arm, moving arm.
2. Foot Controls and tractors
Non invasive
Most popular method
Resnik, Linda., Klinger, Shana L., Etter, Katherine. The DEKA Arm: Its features, functionality, and evolution during the Veterans Affairs Study to Optimize the DEKA Arm. Prosthetics and Orthotics International 38(6): , 2014.

5. How does it work? cont.
Resnik, Linda., Latlief, Gail., Klinger, Shana., Sasson, Nicole., Walters, Lisa S. Do users want to receive a DEKA Arm and why? Overall findings afrom the Veterans Affairs Study to Optimize the DEKA Arm. Prosthetics and Orthotics International 38(6): , 2014

6. New Features Multiple powered joints and degrees of freedom
Array of sensors and switches
Wireless control
Wrist and fingers adjust to six different grips:
Power
Tool
Chuck
Lateral pinch
Fine pinch open
Fine pinch closed
Dents: adjust hand grip and then fix finger grip
Resnik, Linda., Klinger, Shana L., Etter, Katherine. The DEKA Arm: Its features, functionality, and evolution during the Veterans Affairs Study to Optimize the DEKA Arm. Prosthetics and Orthotics International 38(6): , 2014.

7. Gen 2 vs. Gen 3 Adjustable brightness LED displays for grip
Low battery
Mode notification
System faults
Indicators for walk detect and over angle limit detect.
Gen 2 SC Arm on socket/harness without and with sleeve
Gen 3 SC on socket/harness
Resnik, Linda., Latlief, Gail., Klinger, Shana., Sasson, Nicole., Walters, Lisa S. Do users want to receive a DEKA Arm and why? Overall findings afrom the Veterans Affairs Study to Optimize the DEKA Arm. Prosthetics and Orthotics International 38(6): , 2014

8. Study Report the overall desirability of the DEKA arm (2013)
24 upper-limb amputees fit with a Gen 2 DEKA Arm : included 8 radial configuration (RC) amputees, 7 humeral configuration (HC) amputees, and 9 shoulder configuration (SC) amputees.
13 upper limb amputees fit with a Gen 3 DEKA Arm: included 4 radial configuration (RC) amputees, 5 humeral configuration (HC) amputees, and 4 shoulder configuration (SC) amputees.
Resnik, Linda., Latlief, Gail., Klinger, Shana., Sasson, Nicole., Walters, Lisa S. Do users want to receive a DEKA Arm and why? Overall findings from the Veterans Affairs Study to Optimize the DEKA Arm. Prosthetics and Orthotics International 38(6): , 2014

9. Discussion The DEKA arm enables greater independence and function.
“It will make everyday activities better”
“The functionality far surpasses anything that I’ve had so far”
The DEKA arm was approved by the FDA in 2014.

10. Questions?