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The hand uses similar signal-processing algorithms to other prosthetics on the market.
該假手的信號處理算法與市場上其他義肢相似。
The big advance is that it does not require invasive surgery or electronic implants into the residual limb to communicate with the user's brain.
它最大的進步在于無需實施侵入性手術或在殘肢上植入電子設備便能與使用者的大腦通信。
Sensors on the skin record electrical activity from the remaining arm muscles.
皮膚上的傳感器會記錄殘肢上肌肉的電活動。
In an intact arm, this activity would tell those muscles how to operate the hand.
在一支健全的手臂上，這些電活動會告訴手臂肌肉要如何操縱手部。
Instead, they are interpreted by pattern-recognition software that sends appropriate commands to the pump to move the artificial hand in the same way.
而在假手上，模式識別軟件會解讀這些電活動，并向氣泵發送適當的命令來以同樣的方式移動假手。
Meanwhile, other signals travel in the opposite direction from sensors in the hand's fingertips to nerves in the arm, whence they are relayed to the brain and provide a sensation of touch.
與此同時，其他信號則以相反的方向從手部指尖的傳感器傳遞到手臂的神經，再從那里傳遞到大腦并產生觸覺。
The upshot is something which responds like a hand and feels like one to the user.
其結果是，它的反應就像一只真手，給用戶的感覺也像一只手。
Dr Gu and his colleagues compared the efficacy of their invention with that of existing models using tests borrowed from research into strokes and spinalcord injuries.
谷博士他的同事借用中風和脊髓損傷的研究成果，將他們的發明與現有模型的有效性進行了比較。
These included writing, grasping and lifting objects, lifting food to the mouth, and stacking draughtsmen.
這些測試包括書寫、抓取并舉起物品、把食物送到嘴里和堆疊棋子。
Normally, they found, it worked better—particularly for delicate tasks like handling fragile objects, petting a cat and shaking hands.
他們發現，通常情況下他們這款假手表現更好，尤其是在抓取易碎物品、撫摸貓和握手等精細動作方面。
The other advantage of Dr Gu's invention is that it is cheap.
谷博士這項發明的另一個優點是造價低廉。
The components it is made from cost about $500.
它的部件制造成本約為500美元。
Existing models may sell for $10,000 or more.
現有假手的售價可能在一萬美元以上。
If it, or something similar, goes into production, that will permit the transformation of many more of the lives of the 5m people who have lost a hand, or were born without one, than is possible at the moment.
如今有500萬人存在先天或后天的手部殘疾，現有的假手無法極大改善他們的生活。而如果這款假手或類似發明投產，他們中很多人的生活將有可能發生重大改變。
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