The 1912 Terminal Device Legacy: Is It Time for Change?

Picture this: It’s 1912. The Titanic is embarking on her ill-fated voyage, Orville and Wilbur Wright’s first flight is still recent history, and Ford’s Model T is reshaping how Americans get around, hitting a thrilling 45 mph. In a world still running on telegrams and gaslights, D.W. Dorrance, an upper-limb amputee, patents a prosthetic terminal device called the "Split Hook" or "Dorrance Hook." This simple, functional design would later become known as the Hosmer Hook, and over a century later, it remains the best-selling upper-limb prosthetic terminal device in the United States.

Over 110 Years of Technological Progress—But Not in This Field

Let’s step back and think about what’s happened since 1912. We’ve mapped the human genome, walked on the moon, and built devices so smart they practically live in our pockets. Today, we have electric vehicles that can drive themselves, surgeries that use robots, and even rockets that return to Earth and land upright. In the realm of prosthetics, though, the top-selling body-powered terminal device still dates back to an era when getting from coast to coast by horse-drawn carriage was normal.

Just look at what “cutting-edge” technology looked like in 1912:

• Communication: The telegram was state-of-the-art for sending messages. Fast forward to today, and we have video calls, texting, and instant global communication.
• Transportation: The Model T had just hit the roads as the “everyman’s” car. Now we have electric vehicles, hyperloop concepts, and AI-driven traffic systems.
• Medicine: Germ theory was gaining traction, and the first crude X-ray machines had      emerged. Today, we can edit genes, perform organ transplants, and use AI to interpret scans.

Yet, in upper-limb prosthetics, we’re still relying on a tool designed for the realities of 1912, when amputees' options were limited to basic mechanical functions. This isn’t to say the Hosmer Hook didn’t serve an important purpose. Its simplicity and durability  have made it a workhorse device. But while we’ve left telegrams and horse-drawn carriages behind, the “Split Hook” design is still the dominant choice for amputees.

Introducing the ProHensor: Moving Prosthetics Into the 21st Century

The ProHensor aims to shift upper-limb prosthetic technology into the present. This new body-powered device is designed to help users overcome some of the major reasons for prosthetic abandonment, offering a feature set that considers the modern amputee’s needs. The ProHensor’s self-actuated locking system allows users to maintain their grip without excessive effort, while its natural grip modality provides control and versatility for a wide range of activities.

One of the ProHensor’s most significant advantages is in-field serviceability, meaning it’s built to be maintained and adjusted on the go. This is crucial for users who rely on their prosthetic every day and can’t afford downtime due to maintenance issues. It’s designed with the durability and adaptability needed for today’s active lifestyle, allowing users to work, play, and navigate the challenges of daily life without compromise.

So, the next time you see a device that’s been largely unchanged for over a century topping the prosthetic sales charts, consider the progress we’ve made in every other field. At Marins Med, we believe today’s amputees deserve a device that works hard and plays hard. The ProHensor is our answer to that call, empowering users with a tool that meets the demands of today.