Mobius Bionics LLC recently presented the first two LUKE prosthetic arms ever made to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), for use by military veterans.

The LUKE prosthetic arm was developed in cooperation between Mobius Bionics LLC, the VA, and the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA), to meet the needs of veterans returning home from duty.

According to a media release from the Manchester, NH-based manufacturer, the LUKE is the first prosthetic arm cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration to be fully integrated across all amputation levels, including shoulder-level, above-the-elbow, and below-the-elbow.

The shoulder-level configuration in particular, per the release, includes the first commercially available powered shoulder, designed to enable users to reach above their heads or behind their backs.

The greater range of motion provided by the LUKE prosthetic is enabled via multiple motors integrated into each section, which users can control.

The LUKE prosthetic was originally called the DEKA arm, and was developed through more than 10,000 hours of use by more than 100 amputees.

“The VA has been a critically important partner to DARPA and DEKA in the testing and refinement of the most advanced prosthetic technology available, and we are excited that the VA is now helping Mobius Bionics to bring the LUKE arm to its first prescription users. Because of the unwavering support of DARPA, the LUKE arm is now available to everyone who needs it, especially those who lost an arm in military service to our country,” says Dean Kamen, president of DEKA, in the release.

[Source(s): Mobius Bionics LLC, Business Wire]