Article

This article summarizes feedback from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
subjects and clinicians gathered during the VA optimization study of the DEKA
Arm. VA subjects and clinicians tested two DEKA Arm prototypes (second-generation
[gen 2] and third-generation [gen 3]). Features of the prototypes in three
configurations are described. DEKA used feedback from the VA optimization study
and from their own subjects to refine the gen 2 prototype. Thirty-three unique
subjects participated in the VA evaluation; 26 participated in the gen 2
evaluation (1 subject participated twice), 13 participated in the gen 3
evaluation, and 5 participated in both gen 2 and gen 3 evaluations. Subject data
were gathered through structured and open-ended surveys, interviews, and audio-
and videotaped sessions. Study prosthetists and therapists provided ongoing
feedback and completed surveys at the end of each subject's protocol. Eleven
categories of feedback were identified: weight, cosmesis, hand grips, wrist
design, elbow design, end-point control, foot controls, batteries and chargers,
visual notifications, tactor, and socket features. Final feedback on the gen 3
was generally positive, particularly regarding improvements in wrist design,
visual notifications, foot controls, end-point control, and cosmesis. Additional
refinements to make the device lighter in weight, eliminate external wires and
cables, and eliminate the external battery may further enhance its perceived
usability and acceptability.

Langue : ANGLAIS