KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — When Alexis Cholas lost his right arm as a volunteer combat medic near the front lines in eastern Ukraine, his civilian career as a surgeon was over. But thanks to a new bionic arm, he was able to continue working in health care and is now a rehab specialist helping other amputees.

The 26-year-old is ecstatic about his stylish black robotic arm. He stated that it was love at first sight and acknowledges his good fortune in obtaining one.

Cholas stated that there are less available (bionic) arms compared to those that have been lost.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in a high demand for artificial limbs. Approximately 20,000 Ukrainians have undergone amputations since the war began in February 2022, with a significant number being soldiers who suffered the loss of arms or legs from explosive injuries.

A limited amount of individuals were eligible to obtain bionic prosthetics, which offer enhanced mobility compared to standard artificial limbs.

Additionally, they are significantly more expensive than standard prosthetic devices.

Bionic prosthetic limbs typically detect electrical signals from the muscles located above the amputation location, utilizing a technology known as myoelectricity, in order to execute a desired movement.

Esper Bionics manufactured the bionic arm for the Cholas. Prior to 2022, the Ukrainian startup focused mainly on the American market, but with the increased need for prosthetic limbs due to war, Esper now sells 70% of its products in their own country.

The production center in Kyiv, the capital, is operating at maximum capacity. Over 30 employees are creating approximately ten bionic hands per month.

A team of engineers works together in a section of the factory, programming, constructing, and examining the sophisticated Esper Hands, also known as bionic arms. The engineers can hear a gentle humming noise as each finger moves on the robotic hand, indicating its successful functioning.

According to Bohdan Diorditsa, the head of strategic relations at the company, Esper Bionics is facing challenges in meeting the high demand for their products despite increasing production. Currently, there are approximately 120 individuals on the waitlist.

The company claims to offer bionic prosthetics in Ukraine at no profit for approximately $7,000 each, which only covers the cost of production. In contrast, the Esper Hand is sold for over $20,000 in the United States.

Diorditsa states that Ukraine is not viewed as a market, but as a chance to provide assistance.

In contrast to a traditional prosthetic limb that only mimics basic movements, a bionic prosthesis has the ability to restore precise fine motor abilities.

Anton Haidash, a prosthetist at Unbroken, a center in Lviv dedicated to rehabilitating civilians and soldiers impacted by the war, states that there is a high demand for prosthetic limbs. To date, the center has assisted approximately 250 individuals, including 20 who have received bionic arms.

The discrepancy in expenses is notable. According to Haidash, bionic limbs can have a price tag of $50,000, whereas conventional prosthetic limbs range from $800 to $2,700.

Ukrainian citizens are eligible to receive conventional prosthetic limbs at no cost through the public healthcare system. However, in order to obtain a bionic prosthesis, they typically require extra financial support from charitable organizations or rehabilitation facilities like Unbroken, which rely on donations.

Patients have the ultimate say in the selection of their prosthetics, but other elements such as the nature of the injury and the individual’s occupation may also influence the decision.

Unbroken purchases bionic prostheses from German and Icelandic companies as well as Esper Bionics, whose notable advantage is having both a manufacturing and a service center in Ukraine. This means people don’t need to travel abroad when a repair or resizing is required.

One remarkable feature of the Esper Hand, which utilizes artificial intelligence, is its capability to adjust and improve based on the user’s individual interactions with the hand.

Cholas returned to his duties as a combat medic on the front lines after receiving his bionic arm. During his day job in Kyiv, he serves as a rehabilitation specialist at a public hospital, working primarily with military personnel and civilians who have also suffered limb loss. He believes that their common experiences allow him to easily connect with his patients.

He states, “I have gained a wealth of knowledge not just from books, but also from my personal experiences.”

Cholas speaks to his patients encouragingly as he examines their injuries. His movements with the bionic hand are natural and fluid. He effortlessly removes a bandage and dresses a patient’s wounds without the assistance of nurses.

According to him, the bionic prosthesis enables him to execute precise actions, like grasping a grape without damaging it.

He expresses discomfort when he is not wearing the prosthesis, but when he puts on the bionic arm, he feels at ease. It feels like an extension of himself.

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The report was contributed to by Kyiv-based photographer Evegeniy Maloletka from the Associated Press in Ukraine.

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Find more of AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Source: wral.com