Question 1

I would like a VINCENT prosthesis. What do I need to do?

Accepted Answer

You can get an appointment for a consultation and a prosthetic fitting from an orthopedic technician who has experience in the field of arm prosthetics. For a consultation appointment and fitting of a VINCENT prosthesis, the prosthetist must have attended appropriate training and obtained a certificate for these products. You can find a list of certified partners here: Partners near you.

Question 2

Does health insurance pay for the prosthesis?

Accepted Answer

The costs for a prosthetic fitting with a VINCENT hand system are usually covered by all insurance providers. However, it is always an individual decision by the respective health insurance company whether a fitting is approved in each case. This depends on many factors that affect the prosthesis user, not so much the hand prosthesis. As soon as a prescription from the doctor is available, the prosthetist applies to the health insurance company for the fitting. If the application is rejected, this preliminary decision can also be appealed, and the prosthetist will usually handle this for you as well. An experienced prosthetist knows the legal situation; he can advise you and guide you through the process to the finished prosthesis.

Question 3

From what age is the VINCENTyoung3+ suitable?

Accepted Answer

We recommend our pediatric and adolescent hand prosthesis from the age of 8. Ultimately, it depends on the development of the child. Let our certified partners advise you.

Question 4

Can I get my prosthesis wet?

Accepted Answer

All VINCENT prostheses are splash-proof. The Evolution3+ and the Evolution4 are water resistant, these hands can be cleaned under running water and immersed in water, the immersion depth is not limited by the hand but by the water protection of the prosthesis stem. The Evolution4 has the highest water protection in the range of multi-articulating hand systems.

Question 5

Can I drive when wearing a prosthesis?

Accepted Answer

Please do not drive in road traffic with your VINCENT prosthesis without further notice and observe our safety and warranty information. In order to be allowed to drive a vehicle with a hand prosthesis, a corresponding modification as well as the approval of the registration authority / TÜV [German technical inspection association] is usually required. Please contact your local registration office for more information.

Question 6

Do I have to wear a glove with the VINCENT prostheses?

Accepted Answer

The hand has been designed to follow an aesthetic and anatomical shape even without a cosmetic glove. Materials and passive elasticities in the joints convey a natural feel. Therefore, most users wear the hand without a cosmetic cover. Vincent’s artificial hand systems combine excellent high-tech with design and quality. They are like a piece of clothing that underlines the personality of its wearer. Most people find the technology fascinating, combined with a positive interest in the new type of artificial hand.

Question 7

What should I do if the prosthesis breaks?

Accepted Answer

Should it ever happen that the prosthesis no longer works, the orthopedic technician is the first port of call. He will take care of the repair or may even be able to solve the problem.

Question 8

How loud is the prosthesis?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the prosthesis variant, there are up to 6 motors in an artificial hand. These rotate at a high speed and drive the prosthesis via a multi-stage planetary gear and another gear stage directly in the finger joint. This causes a motor noise depending on the muscle signal-controlled speed.

The noise becomes louder the more motors run simultaneously and the faster they rotate. Slow hand movements are therefore also very quiet, comparable, for example, to the noise of an electric telephoto lens of a digital camera. The hand is loudest when all motors are closed simultaneously at maximum speed, e.g. in the cylinder grip. This noise can then be compared to the moving noise of a model railroad, for example. The user of the hand can therefore control the soundscape very easily via his muscle signals.

Question 9

How heavy is the hand?

Accepted Answer

A natural human hand of an adult weighs about 350 g to 500 g, depending on body size. The weight of an artificial hand is not distributed as optimally on the arm as that of the natural one. Also, the weight of the socket, liner and the battery add to the weight of the prosthesis. In addition, the heaviest component of the prosthesis, the hand, is located at the outermost, distal end of the arm, so the leverage ratios are particularly unfavorable. A hand prosthesis must therefore be as light as possible. VINCENT hand systems weigh between approx. 300 g and 480 g, depending on the type of hand.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions