FDA approves 'Star Wars' bionic arm
Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 11:20 AM - Something straight out of science fiction could soon be used to help amputees.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a groundbreaking bionic arm inspired by "Star Wars."
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The battery-powered prosthetic, known as Deka, is controlled by signals from the brain.
It's inspired by the prosthetic "Star Wars" hero Luke Skywalker received after losing his right hand in a light-saber duel with Darth Vader.
Success! Less than 8 yrs after launching Revolutionizing Prosthetics, @US_FDA today approved the DEKA Arm System. https://t.co/aAFV3MOunK
— DARPA (@DARPA) May 9, 2014
Unlike most current prostheses, the Deka arm can perform such delicate tasks such as zipping up a coat, unlocking a door with a key or handling an egg without breaking it.
The FDA says the arm can be configured for people for limb loss at the shoulder joint, mid upper arm or mid lower arm.
It cannot be fitted for someone whose arm was amputated at the elbow or wrist.
