Legs

Four Major Advances In Prosthetics

• For many years, wood was the dominant material used in a prosthesis. Today, many prosthetics are made from carbon fiber, which gives amputees a sense of life in their foot. Others are made with titanium, giving them a longer lifespan and increased durability.

• The use of Bluetooth technology helps regulate stride, pressure and speed in the prosthetic leg.

• For people with above-knee amputations, the addition of an onboard computer within the prosthesis helps them have greater control over walking, stopping and moving on inclines.

• In 2013, a man received the first thought-controlled bionic leg. The technology uses sensors that can detect the same brain and muscle signals the original leg used. But instead of reaching a dead end at the site of amputation, the signal is picked up by electrodes in the prosthetic leg. The bionic leg allows for a smoother gait and helps users easily transition from walking on level ground to walking up or down a flight of stairs.

Sources: newsobserver. com/2014/01/26/3555321_smarter-bionic-leg-moving-forward.html?rh=1 news. discovery.com/tech/robotics/five-majoradvances-robotic-prosthetics.htm