Man Whose Hand Was Crushed In A Meat Grinder Becomes First To Get 3D-Printed Bionic Fingers

Mo Ali, who's 40, recently shared his journey with a 3D-printed robotic hand that's totally transformed his world.

When Mo was just a kid, he had a terrible accident in the kitchen that led to him getting his hand caught in a meat grinder. 

Because of this, he had to have four of his fingers amputated.

Mo, who's a big fan of cycling, faced not only the physical challenges following his amputation but also endured bullying.

Credit: OpenBionics / SWNS

The accident robbed him of much of his dexterity, which made enjoying his passion for cycling and other simple daily activities quite tough.

But things took a turn for the better when Mo got a state-of-the-art prosthetic hand. This high-tech helper is known as the 'Hero Gauntlet'.

It's been a game-changer for Mo, giving back a lot of the hand movement he lost.

The 'Hero Gauntlet' was crafted by a UK-based company, Open Bionics. It's a prosthesis specifically designed for folks who've had part of their hand amputated.

Thanks to this invention, Mo can now do tasks like dressing himself way more easily than before.

And, of course, this device has allowed Mo to dive back into cycling.

It's not just about the physical benefits, though.

This device has massively boosted Mo's self-esteem.

He said: "I love bikes, cycling and everything to do with them."

"In the past, I used to use a bike glove, stuff it with tissue and grip it around the handlebars so I could have better control of steering." 

Mo also mentioned he was previously given a prosthetic by the NHS, but it didn't suit him because it was too heavy and uncomfortable.

"It was operated by my shoulder to open and close," he said. 

Credit: OpenBionics / SWNS

"It was so heavy and uncomfortable – and it got in the way. I stopped using it after a day." 

But with the 'Hero Gauntlet', things have been different. 

Mo said: "With the Hero Gauntlet, once I have a grip on something I know it's not going anywhere."

He also noted how the device has empowered him to be open about his disability.

He said: "I coped with my disability by simply hiding it… now, I'm able to walk down the road without feeling the need to hide." 

Samantha Payne, co-founder of Open Bionics, expressed her joy over the project's success. 

"We've had so many requests to design and develop a functional partial hand prosthesis for all-day wear."

"It's pure joy to see this piece of engineering have a positive physical and emotional impact on Mo's life."