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8E500 - Hand prosthetics

Michelangelo hand

The Michelangelo hand helps you regain extensive freedom

The Michelangelo hand is part of the unique and streamlined AxonBus system. Lightweight, powerful, and fast, the Michelangelo hand aims to restore numerous functions of the natural hand in a sophisticated and intelligent design. 

The Michelangelo hand is part of the unique and streamlined AxonBus system. Lightweight, powerful, and fast, the Michelangelo hand aims to restore numerous functions of the natural hand in a sophisticated and intelligent design. 

User groupwomen, men, adults, mature adults
Product familyMichelangelo Axon Bus
ColourWhite
All specifications
Benefits at a glance

Michelangelo – versatile and sophisticated

Markus reading a magazine
Numerous gripping options

The Michelangelo hand has four movable fingers and a powered thumb that can be positioned separately using muscle signals. Seven functional, naturally designed hand positions are available, each delivered with speed and strength.

Sjaak casually peels a banana
Relaxed wrist joint

The AxonWrist mechanical wrist can be flexed and extended as well as rotated inwards and outwards. In a flexible mode, the AxonWrist simulates the movement characteristics of a relaxed, natural wrist. Unnatural compensating movements are thereby avoided, promoting a healthy body posture.

Michelangelo hand design
Natural design

A collection of world-class product developers designed the Michelangelo hand to resemble and feel as close to a natural hand as possible. The fingers are detailed and made of both soft and hard materials. The unique, flat, oval wrist joint also flexes and extends like a natural wrist joint. Prosthetic gloves in multiple colors provide a variety of options for personal expression.

Michelangelo hand AxonSkin
Compatible gloves

Suitable for everyday use, the prosthetic gloves have a multilayer structure and come in six shades. Colored fibers on the inside simulate the natural vein structure of the human hand. Lamella, integrated into the hand shells, lend a natural appearance to the movement of the wrist and thumb. A translucent and a black prosthetic glove are available for those who want to show off their modern prosthesis. On top of this, Axonskin Black and AxonSkin Silicone cover options are also available. 

User Experience

Grasping without thinking twice

Markus from Austria

Markus shows us how he works. He shares some insights into his family life with the Michelangelo hand prosthesis. He discusses important situations in his life and how he manages with the prosthesis.

Grasping without thinking twice

Aisha is 18 years old and looking forward to getting a job and her own place to live. With the Michelangelo hand, she will be able to lead an active life. Grasping without thinking twice has never been so easy.

Sjaak and his family

Hear about Sjaak and his family on their experience with the Michelangelo hand.

Functionality

Variability and gripping force

Seven different grips

Very few parts of the human body are as complex as our hands. Only the perfect interplay between nerves, sinews, a total of 27 bones, 39 muscles, and 36 joints makes it possible for us to carry out everyday activities. One of the greatest challenges faced by medical technology is using prostheses to model as many of these numerous functions as possible. With its seven different gripping possibilities, the Michelangelo hand restores numerous functions of the natural hand. Its gripping force is between 13 lbs (6 kg) and 15lbs (7 kg). You can adjust and control the force needed to hold a heavy or light object with the Michelangelo hand.

Lateral pinch

With a lateral pinch, also known as a key grip, the thumb moves laterally to the index finger. This allows you to laterally grip flat objects such as paper or credit cards.

Lateral power grip

The thumb moves laterally to the index finger. This allows you to also grip medium-sized objects such as a mobile phone.

Finger abduction/adduction

By spreading and closing the fingers, you can hold flat and thin (< 3 mm) objects such as dollar bills.

Tripod pinch

With the so-called pinch grip, the thumb, middle finger, and index finger form a three-point support to securely hold small objects such as a pen.

 

Opposition power grip

The large opening width of the hand allows you to securely hold objects with a larger diameter.

Open palm

With an open palm, a flat hand position is achieved which allows you to carry, for example, a plate or documents quite naturally.

Natural mode

The Michelangelo hand looks very natural in the resting position. In flexible mode, the wrist yields slightly when counter-pressure is applied.
When you relax the muscles, the Michelangelo hand also assumes a natural, relaxed hand position.

The right prosthesis training helps with its practical use

A good fitting doesn't end once a prosthesis has been professionally adjusted. The better you know your new Michelangelo hand, the more efficiently you can use it in everyday life. This is why Ottobock has developed accompanying practical exercises to familiarise you with the prosthetic hand – so you can reap the full benefits of the numerous functions and gripping options of the Michelangelo hand. Ideally, a specially trained therapist will support you as you work through the multi-level training concept. The contents include information on the daily handling of the prosthesis such as charging the battery, care instructions, storage or switching the prosthesis on and off. This is followed by exercises for learning the different grip options. In addition to the training with your therapist, there is also a DVD which allows you to repeat and familiarise yourself with the exercises at home.

Resources

Learn more

Various Ottobock prosthetic hand users huddle in a circle and stretch their hands in the center

Bionic life

Learn tips and tricks from Ottobock prosthetic hand users. Share your story or life hacks with us!

Specifications

Product information

User groupwomen, men, adults, mature adults
Product familyMichelangelo Axon Bus
ColourWhite
Product typeAxonTerminal devices

Product Data

Article number8E500=L-M8E500=R-M
Sideleftright
Size7 3/47 3/4
User groupwomen, men, adults, mature adultswomen, men, adults, mature adults
Operating voltage11,1 V11,1 V
Operating temperature14 to 140 °F14 to 140 °F
Opening width4.72 ″4.72 ″
Gripping force in opposition mode70 N70 N
Gripping force in neutral mode15 N15 N
Grip speed325 mph325 mph
Weight510 lbs510 lbs
Downloads

Documents

FAQS

Answers for you