Canadians shortlisted for prestigious James Dyson Award

Two Canadians have made the shortlist for the prestigious James Dyson Award thanks to their invention that allows a prosthetic arm to be controlled by brain signals.

Michal Prywata and Thiago Caires created the Artificial Muscle-Operated (AMO) Arm that uses brain signals, which continue to occur even after a limb is amputated.

"AMO Arm replaces an invasive, costly and lengthy surgical procedure, dramatically improving the quality of life for amputees," says the team in a statement.

The user wears a headset that senses signals and sends it wirelessly to a small computer on the arm. The computer compares the signals to those in the database and tells the arm how to act using a series of pneumatic pumps and valves.

Other arms exist that allow amputees to perform similar tasks, but they require the patient to undergo a complex muscle reinnervation surgery. The AMO Arm is non-invasive and patients can learn to use the device in just a few minutes. The other main difference is that the AMO Arm costs about a quarter of what other prosthetic arms cost because it doesn't include microelectronics and motors.

"It is quite incredible that so many complex movements can be achieved by thought alone," say Dyson engineers in a statement. "Very slick, very hi tech and very impressive."

The two were selected to the top list of 15 inventions from a competitive field of 550 from 18 countries. Other inventions on the shortlist include a new way to irrigate crops in regions experiencing drought, a spoon made from a tea bag wrapper and an interactive glove that helps deaf and blind people communicate.

Another device developed in Canada called BlackBerry Peer, which is a communication device for children, also made the top 20 list.

Prywata and Caires are working on cashing in on their invention. They have formed a company called Bionik Labratories and are currently securing investor funding.

The winner of the James Dyson Award will be selected on Nov. 8. The winning team will receive more than $16,000.

See some of the top inventions in action.

(Handout image)

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