Myoelectric arm/hand prosthesis, with 6 volt battery, English, 1980

Two electrodes are at the top of the artificial arm where it meets the wearer’s arm or stump. These amplify the minute impulses that accompany healthy muscle contractions to power the artificial hand. The unit and batteries slot into the casing. This frees the user of wires and straps. Myoelectric is the term given to the electrical stimulus causing muscles to contract. It was developed from a Swedish prototype by Hugh Steeper Ltd for the Department of Health and Social Security at Roehampton Limb Fitting Centre. Roehampton was the main limb-fitting centre during and after the First World War. It continues work in prosthetics today.