Bionics
Engineering

Bionics engineering combines aspects of mechanics, electronics, and biology to create biological-inspired solutions for use in the medical and robotics field.

Some examples of devices created in this field are myoelectric bionic hands (our forte), myoelectric elbows, bionic legs, bionic eyes, bionic fingers, bionic ankles, bionic knees, and so on. The primary differentiator of the devices designed in this field, and as the word “bionic” denotes, is that the technology / devices created are typically electromechanical in nature. This means that in addition to being able to move mechanically, their mechanical components are powered using a power source (battery) and some type of accompanying circuitry to manage the control of the components.

Please note that I said they are “typically electromechanical in nature”. However, in addition to the above listed electromechanical devices, within the field of bionics engineering there are also devices that are not electromechanical. These devices are called body powered devices or prostheses. These devices’ movements are dependent on a system of cables and harnesses (as well as other manual controls on the devices) to control the limb in a simplistic, yet effective manner. Although functionality of these types of devices are limited, they are often used more than electromechanical ones. 

“More often? But why?” you might ask; The primary reasons that these less advanced devices are used more are quite simply ease-of-use and cost. This is however, a disputed claim, and I urge you to perform your own research to come to your own conclusion around this matter.

“Do I need a biomedical engineering degree?”

The most common misunderstanding about this field of research is that you need to study Biomedical Engineering to build bionic limbs. I have received a many number of emails from biomedical engineering students citing that this field is exactly why they got into BME. It is difficult for me to tell them that the work we do is not as dependent on BME studies as they may believe.

Though it doesn’t hurt to study this, the truth is that the work building these bionic devices is much more reliant on Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering. So please don’t be deterred by thinking that you need a biomedical engineering degree! Mechanical and electrical engineering are just as important! The only aspects of biomedical engineering that I personally needed to understand to build a full functioning bionic hand that an amputee could control was a little bit of physiology (action potential). I will go over this topic in more detail further down this page as the sections are built out more.

“Bionics Vs. Prosthetics!?”

The second most common misunderstanding about this field is that it is called “Prosthetics”. While this word does accurately denote and describe an artificial body part, the FIELD of prosthetics is something entirely different. In fact if you type in “how to get into the field of prosthetics”, the first Google results direct you to a degree in orthotics and prosthetics.

A degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics are for those interested in becoming prosthetists and orthotists. Prosthetists and orthotists design and fabricate medical supportive devices and measure and fit patients for them. They are typically responsible for crafting the prosthetic socket (see below), creating highly customized prosthetic solutions, continued patient care, and repairs or tuning of bionic devices. In rare instances, prosthetists may include basic circuitry or wiring into their custom devices, but they do not create bionic devices.

I only mention this differentiation because while most people are interested in bionics engineering, some people do in fact want to be prosthetists! I admire both fields for their collaborative work towards building a more accessible future. The question is, which do you like more?

In this section, we delve into the practical application of the disciplines discussed earlier, highlighting the critical differences and connections between bionic hands and prosthetic sockets.

Bionic Hands:

Bionic hand companies like Alt-Bionics, Psyonic, and Aether Biomedical all create bionic (myoelectric) hands that are standalone devices. If you were to purchase a bionic hand from a manufacturer like us, you would only have a bionic hand with no way to use it.

Prosthetic Sockets:

Prosthetic sockets provide the interface between a bionic hand and the user’s body. The socket is custom-fitted to the user’s limb and is usually made from soft and flexible materials to ensure a comfortable fit. They evenly distribute the weight of the prosthetic device and enable the user to move the device with relative ease.

Prosthetic sockets are designed and built by certified prosthetic & orthotic clinicians who are typically part of prosthetic clinics like Hanger or Arm Dynamics. These clinics and clinicians do not build hands. Their primary responsibility is to create sockets, provide continued patient care, and help the amputee select the prosthetic device that will be best for them.

Building bionic hands is a multidisciplinary journey that merges the intricacies of mechanical and electrical engineering with a touch of biology. At its core, constructing a bionic hand involves designing and assembling an electromechanical device that mimics the functionality and appearance of a natural hand.