Girl Power

By Hanna Aronovich in News on Sep 14, 2006 7:12PM

Chicagoist was an English major and while we don’t really get science too much, we’re sure as hell glad it’s out there. And we’re guessing so is Claudia Mitchell, the world’s first “bionic woman” (not counting Jaime Sommers).

Today, the Sun-Times reported Mitchell has been fitted with a “bionic arm” at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. She lost her left arm in a 2004 motorcycle accident.

The device allows Mitchell to move her robotic arm with her thoughts. "I can flex my elbow and open and close my hand with the mere thought of doing it," she told the Sun-Times.

The arm can open jars, peel a banana and other important daily tasks. Mitchell said this makes life, especially in the kitchen, easier. However, certain movements, such as typing or throwing, cannot be performed by the arm.

Five men have already had bionic arm surgery, but the procedure is more difficult in women. In all cases of surgery, there is a risk of failure, greater damage or infections.

The bionic arm is still in the experimental stage and not yet available for general use. When it does reach the market, it could cost up to $75,000.

The bionic arm’s developer, Dr. Todd Kuiken, said the next goal is to develop bionic legs and make the technology more widely available – namely to soldiers who have lost a limb.

We think this work is amazing and hope it gets the funding it needs. Thank God for science.