Abstract:
Since December 1983, when Variety Ability Systems Inc (VAST) introduced the VV26 size hand for children, clinicians who provide powered upper extremity prosthetics have been inundated with a wide variety of components for the paediatric amputee population. The availability of the componentry has led to the development of suitable controlling strategies incorporated into electronic modules within the prostheses. These strategies have drawn upon the clinical teams to re-evaluate the selection and training criterion used through-out the fitting process. The evolution in powered upper-extremity prosthetics that has occurred over the last decade has been remarkable. This paper provides an overview of the VASI products now available for the juvenile amputee and discusses recent enhancements.
