Doctor unveils robotic hand to treat patients with paralysis

A medical breakthrough unveiled in the city yesterday could now lend a hand, quite literally, to anyone in need of one. Demonstrated on 65-year-old Jwala Prasad Gupta, this robotic hand is made up of a glove that is attached to an 80 kg robotic machine that has computerised programmes that carry out various simple flexible exercises on the hand.

Lending a hand: Dr Sanjay Bakhshi with Jwala Prasad Gupta who suffered an injury in a bike accident

Gupta who suffered an injury 10 months ago in a bike accident, has been suffering from hand pain and mild nerve problem in his left hand. Talking about the device used on him, Gupta says, "Initially, I felt odd when the machine made my hand open and close without my will. But the glove and the machine has helped me a lot, I feel motivated and confident that soon my hand pain will be gone."

Hand in glove: A close-up of GLOREHA, the robotic hand

Planning a free camp to make patients aware of this new device that has been a grand success in the West, especially Italy, where it was first launched, Dr Bakhshi, who has treated the likes of the late Sunil Dutt, said, "I plan to run the free camp from April 1 to the end of that month. The aim is to give affordable medical care to all those seeking treatment for hand issues."

Having studied the use of this latest technology in physiotherapy, Dr Bakhshi is hoping to use this novel, fourth generation device that works on the nerves of the hand to bring complete treatment to as many patient as he can.

Working one hand at a time, the device can be used for adults as well as children. Dr Bakhshi added, "The hand is the most important part of the body and I come across many patients who face various issues like being unable to lift things and being unable to write, with Gloreha, I am hoping over a period of two to three months to help patients to have 100 per cent use of their hands."