Suffering a stroke is horrifying in its own right. Dealing with months of intensive physical rehab? That only adds to the pain.
That’s why we’re particularly excited about the Handy – a lightweight, wireless robotic glove that restores up to 90% of full motor control in patients via self-guided therapy.
It works by recording the patient’s nerve signals and simulating hand motions to help them move. When the patient’s brain sends signals to move their hand, Handy inflates to make that action easier.
In other words, it provides a gentle, non-invasive helping hand to those who are recovering. Patients say it’s easier to use than traditional physical therapy – and seeing as such therapies are not always covered by insurance for the length of time needed to recover, Handy isn’t just a useful tool… it could literally be a lifesaver.
Even better, the Handy is much cheaper to produce than existing mechanical devices – and
the team behind it has decided to focus on building an approachable consumer-grade model.
Their goal is to sell the product at an affordable price – just €20 (about $22) for each glove!
This is a great example of how innovation puts control and choice back in the hands of the consumer. When it comes to health issues, this can be especially life-changing. Here’s to more “helping hands” in the health sector!