United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello everyone,

As a five year, 28 year old victim/survivor of BPI, let me say that it is both inspiring and rewarding to have found this community on the Internet.

First, some history on myself. My injury is the result of a motorcycle collision with a drunk driver (who happened to be a friend of mine [no longer!]). I received several injuries in addition to the left BPI, namely shattered left knee, ruptured spleen, punctured heart, fractured left wrist, severely broken left collarbone, multiple internal head traumas, and severed muscle in left side of neck. I had the exploratory surgery done, the result of which was found that I had a BPI avulsion (nerve pulled from spine). After that was discovered, they replaced my bicep with a muscle in my leg, and grafted nerves from my left ribs to the muscle. This surgery proved only minimally successful, as I still have only very, very little use of my arm. And that is where I am today.

Now on to better news. I am an engineer by trade and have spent the last 4 years developing an item called "The Gauntlet". (Just a note, a gauntlet is the glove part on a suit of armor.) The Gauntlet is put on like a glove and requires no surgery (in fact, no doctor is involved in it at all!). It gives the individual the motion of grabbing with their hand. Activating it will be tailored to the individual, as everyone has different "other movements" and different preferences on how to activate it. The Gauntlet has two purposes: (1) it can be used as a temporary orthotic device to help prevent atrophy of the joints in the hand and to give the user motion while recovering from BPI, or (2) as an assistive limb for persons with permanent injury.

With this information, I have a few questions I would like to ask people to respond to:

1) Would this be a device you would spend money on to assist you? (please state whether your injury is temporary or permanent)
2) If you answered "Yes" to the above question, how much would you spend out of your own pocket for a device that would give you movement again? (please be realistic: this device costs money to make)
3) How much do you think this device is worth to make it cost effective and justifiable for insurance companies?
4) If this device proved useful, would be willing to make a statement as to it's effectiveness and usefulness to help make it mandatory for insurance companies to pay for it?

Please send responses to RMVeldman@AOL.com. This survey is just for research purposes and names need not be given (unless you wish to: I'd be happy to know the people who might be helped by this device!)

Your help with this is GREATLY appreciated!!

Thank you.

Hi, this is the 3rd time ive attempted to reply this, hope there aren't 3 half finished posts! anyways, im curious as to how the powered glove gets the signal from your brain to move? It would help folks with hand paralysis for sure, in my opinion, but i cant figure how it works?

Sign me up. As with Dave I dont know how it works butif it does it would be priceless to me. IMy arm is totally flail though. I could use a motorized hinge for me elbow as well Plese keep us updated on your progress and let me know if you need a ginuea pig.

I am definately up for this.

As the others said, can't get my head round the workings of it but would be more than willing to give it a go.

Sounds good to me.

As with the other two, can't get my head round how it would work but I'd gladly give this a go.

Feel free to mail or IM me on AOL with pictures and details.

Marc

You can put me down for one aswell.

Thank you to everyone who responded to my posting.

In regards to the question of how it works, I regret to say it, but I am not able to divulge that information as of yet. Please understand that I have spent about 4 years and alot of money devolping The Gauntlet and have to be very cautious as to how much of the design I reveal. But, be very assured, I am devoting even more time and effort to getting it completed.

For those of you with permanent paralysis (like myself), let me say that I'm sure you will find The Gauntlet to be an indispensible device.

Again, Thank You to all of those who have responded, and I will continue answering questions as much as I can and keeping everyone updated on my progress.

Hello everyone,

I'm sorry I haven't revealed much on my progress with The Gauntlet, but, suffice it to say, things have been proceeding very quickly and I have been devoting every free moment I have to it's completion.

Some good news I would like to share with everyone: I have discovered that The Gauntlet should be covered under insurance plans. I will be producing the product myself to keep costs down, so that in the event your insurance will not cover it, we can work together to make it affordable and available to you.

Of course, developing an invention takes time, so I can't say when it will be available, but, I assure you, I'm trying to get going as soon as possible.

I just wanted to add a little information so that every knew I was still working on it.

Thank you