What Is The Fitting Process For A Bionic or Prosthetic Hand?

How Do I Get A Bionic Hand?

The process for receiving a bionic hand like COVVI’s can differ slightly depending on your prosthetist and whether you require any extra therapies (like TMR), before being fit with a prosthetic. On the whole, however, there are several stages that you will be taken through in the process for receiving your bionic hand…

Getting Started

Registering interest in a COVVI prosthetic can be done by filling out our contact form. Our customer service team will then be able to assess the enquiry with a local clinician who is registered to fit our bionic hand. Alternatively, those already in contact with a prosthetist can speak with them directly about being fit with a COVVI Hand.

Get In Touch

Initial Assessment

Firstly, a COVVI Certified Clinician will evaluate a user’s limb condition, functional goals, and daily activity requirements to identify the type of prosthetic system required.

Myo-Site Identification and Signal Testing

Then, the prosthetist will identify and test viable ‘myo-sites’ (muscle locations that generate strong, reliable signals used to control your bionic hand). The prosthetist will place electrodes on these sites that will be used to control the COVVI Hand/other prosthetic components.

System Planning

An upper limb prosthetic will then be designed based on a user’s unique needs. This includes different elements such as joints (prosthetic elbows and shoulders) and sockets, as well as the system that allows users to operate their prosthetic (e.g. pattern recognition systems). As the COVVI Hand already comes with an integrated wrist that allows for flexion and rotation, users will not require an additional prosthetic wrist.

Limb Scanning or Casting

A 3D scan or physical cast of a person’s residual limb is taken to ensure a precise fit for the socket and alignment of all prosthetic components.

Socket and System Fabrication

A custom socket is then fabricated to provide comfort, suspension, and alignment for the user. This socket will include any additional prosthetic support that a user may need.

System Assembly and Trial Fitting

The complete prosthetic system is assembled and fitted to the user. This includes aligning all components (including the COVVI Hand) and fitting the socket. These will be tested in real-time to make sure the control system and hardware are interacting as they should.

Grip Switching Strategy Assignment

Based on the user’s needs, prosthetists will assign a grip-switching strategy to ensure seamless transitions between grip patterns and/or prosthetic components.

This may include the use of ‘passive triggers’, which can significantly reduce the overall energy required to change the grip patterns of a multi-grip prosthetic hand. Users of the COVVI Hand can switch grips by:

Pinching the COVVI Hand fingertips
Tapping the thumb
Pressing the dorsal button

Alternatively, or as well as, the system may use ‘myoelectric triggers’, such as:

Sending two ‘open’ signals in a row
Holding an ‘open’ signal
Sending an ‘open’ and ‘close’ signal at the same time

The chosen strategy is always tailored to the individual, based on their control preferences and suitability, to maximise ease of use.

COVVI Go App

Using the COVVI Go App, clinicians will configure the hand to a user’s specifications. For example, ‘grip tables’ – which organise COVVI’s available grip patterns into groups of six for ease of use- can be organised based on where a user is most likely to use them. For example, Table A can hold all the grips a user would like to use at home; Table B can be set up to hold the grips at the workplace, etc…

Testing and Training

Users will perform a number of tasks using their prosthesis to ensure that it is comfortable and usable. This can include:

Testing the activation of grip modes.
Practising grip-switching strategies (as discussed above).
Building confidence in how they would use their prosthetic in real-world cases.

And that’s it!

After successful testing and adjustments, the completed prosthetic system, including the user’s bionic hand, is delivered! The prosthetist will give a full handover, including device care, charging routines, app guidance, and contact info for follow-up appointments.

Follow ups help to monitor performance, address any issues, and update firmware or grip configurations as needed. The COVVI Hand can be reconfigured by the clinician to adapt to the user’s evolving needs over time. Users are encouraged to schedule a follow-up appointment with their clinician as needed to ensure optimal performance and personalisation of their prosthesis.

How Do I Get A Bionic Hand?

Please complete the short form below, and a member of our expert team will be in touch with bespoke advice on how best to help you get your very own COVVI Hand. If you are based in the UK and would like to know more about obtaining a prosthesis through the NHS, visit our webpage on NHS Funding.

Landing Page Form

"*" indicates required fields

Comments

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Your Name*

Email Address*

Where Are You Located?*

Which Option Best Describes You?*

I have an upper limb difference and am enquiring about a COVVI Hand for myself.

I am enquiring on behalf of someone with an upper limb difference, who is looking to get a COVVI Hand.

I am a Clinician who wants to fit a patient with a COVVI Hand

I am a Distributor who wants to supply the COVVI Hand in my country

Please Note: The COVVI Hand is a complete limb absence solution, therefore your residual limb must end between your wrist and shoulder in order to be fitted with a prosthetic hand like ours. As it is also a myo-electric prosthetic device controlled by EMG sensors, patients must also be able to produce muscle signals to operate the hand, which means it isn't suitable for those who have lost the ability to move their arm from an injury, stroke or any other form of paralysis.

How Can We Help?*