Tag: prosthetics

Fake fingers

Fascinating story about a Yukako Fukushima, who make prosthetic fingers to help former Yakuza to get back into society:

But for those who have transgressed – by mishandling money, failing to repay a debt, or simply offending their boss – there is a striking physical obstacle to re-entering mainstream society: the painful, and glaringly obvious, self-amputation of their little finger.

That is where Fukushima comes in. For the past two decades, the 44-year-old has hand crafted hundreds of pinkie fingers for former gangsters – a minor cosmetic accoutrement that has helped them find jobs and marriage partners, and a semblance of normal life.

April 19, 2016
Disney prosthetics

Disney is backing a startup that offers 3D printed prosthetic for children at the very reasonable price of $500. Iron Man, Elsa from Frozen, and a Star Wars themed one is up for grabs. Engadget writes:

Open Bionics is part of the 2015 Disney Accelerator programme, which explains its choice of characters. Still, the ‘House of Mouse’ has been gracious enough to provide royalty free licenses, as well as time and input from its creative teams. The three versions are fitted with LED lights and, in the case of the Iron Man model, a vibration motor for when the user wants to fire a “rocket.”

Sure, the startup is part of a Disney project, but it’s still pretty darn great for kids. Prosthetic limbs are usually very expensive.

October 13, 2015