O&P News. Artificial Eye Brings Vision To Blind A Saint Louis University neurosurgeon has become...

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Artificial Eye Brings Artificial Eye Brings Vision To Blind Vision To Blind

A Saint Louis University neurosurgeon A Saint Louis University neurosurgeon has become the first U.S. doctor to has become the first U.S. doctor to implant a potentially revolutionary implant a potentially revolutionary electronic eye device that allows a blind electronic eye device that allows a blind patient to see. He is the only United patient to see. He is the only United States doctor ever to perform the States doctor ever to perform the procedure. procedure.

The procedure costs $98,000. The procedure costs $98,000.

Artificial EyeArtificial Eye

Patients are implanted with devices that act as Patients are implanted with devices that act as artificial eyes by stimulating the visual cortex of artificial eyes by stimulating the visual cortex of the brain. the brain.

Two patients, who had been totally blind before Two patients, who had been totally blind before their surgeries have already learned to use the their surgeries have already learned to use the prosthetic system well enough to slowly drive prosthetic system well enough to slowly drive cars on private property. They could walk freely cars on private property. They could walk freely around a laboratory, avoid obstacles and look around a laboratory, avoid obstacles and look outside a window to see a tree. outside a window to see a tree.

Artificial Eye for a HorseArtificial Eye for a Horse KBuck's prosthetic eye was KBuck's prosthetic eye was

handcrafted by designers at La handcrafted by designers at La Fuente Ocular Prosthetics in Fuente Ocular Prosthetics in Oklahoma City.Oklahoma City.

The eye was fashioned with a The eye was fashioned with a mold of KBuck's hollow eye mold of KBuck's hollow eye socket and constructed with socket and constructed with hard acrylic plastic, said hard acrylic plastic, said Brandon La Fuente. It was Brandon La Fuente. It was hand-painted to look exactly hand-painted to look exactly like the horse's real eye, like the horse's real eye, complete with deep blue complete with deep blue features and tiny red veins.features and tiny red veins.

KBuck's eye cost about $3,000KBuck's eye cost about $3,000

Artificial Knee for Landmine Victims Artificial Knee for Landmine Victims

In a unique arrangement, technologies for In a unique arrangement, technologies for foot and knee prostheses are being jointly foot and knee prostheses are being jointly developed by two nuclear weapons developed by two nuclear weapons laboratories in Russia and the US.laboratories in Russia and the US.

Someone in this world loses a limb to a Someone in this world loses a limb to a landmine explosion every 20 minutes. landmine explosion every 20 minutes.

Artificial KneeArtificial Knee

A knee must be able to vary the speed of its A knee must be able to vary the speed of its response. Then it needs to lock so that its response. Then it needs to lock so that its wearer doesn't fall when standing. "The wearer doesn't fall when standing. "The knee is not simply a hinge," says knee is not simply a hinge," says Lieberman. "If it were only that, it might Lieberman. "If it were only that, it might swing back too far or not enough, letting the swing back too far or not enough, letting the foot hit the ground too soon and causing its foot hit the ground too soon and causing its wearer to trip."wearer to trip."

Artificial KneeArtificial Knee

The prosthetic has a socket able to adjust to The prosthetic has a socket able to adjust to the swelling and shrinkage of an amputee's the swelling and shrinkage of an amputee's stump during the course of the day, knees stump during the course of the day, knees that help prevent falling when a wearer that help prevent falling when a wearer stumbles, and microprocessor-controlled stumbles, and microprocessor-controlled prosthetics to obtain a more natural gait.prosthetics to obtain a more natural gait.

World’s earliest functional prosthetic An artificial big toe attached to the foot of an

ancient Egyptian mummy could prove to be the world's earliest functional prosthetic body part, say scientists.

If true, the toe will predate what is currently considered to be the earliest known practical prosthesis - an artificial leg from 300BC - by several hundred years.

Artificial big toe: 1000 BC

Artificial big toe: 1000 BC It is articulated and shows signs of wear. It is

still attached to the foot of the mummy of a female between 50 and 60 years of age. The amputation site is also well healed.“

It is made from cartonnage, a sort of papier maché made using linen, glue and plaster.

Oldest Prosthetics Prior to this finding, the oldest known

functional prosthesis is the Roman Capua Leg, which was made of bronze and dates from about 300BC. The leg was held at the Royal College of Surgeons in London but was destroyed by Luftwaffe bombs during the Second World War.

Roman Capua Leg, 300 BC

Earliest Described Prosthesis The earliest description of a limb prosthesis is

found in Herodotus' The Histories written in 484 BCE. Herodotus tells of a Persian soldier, Hegesistratus, who was imprisoned by the enemy. In order to escape from the stocks, Hegesistratus cut off part of his own foot. He later wore a wooden replacement.

16th Century Prosthesis

History of Prostheses

In response to the plight of World War II amputees, the National Academy of Sciences established the Artificial Limb Program in 1945. This agency promoted and coordinated scientific research with the goal of improving the design of prosthetic devices. Much emphasis was placed on investigating the movement of normal human limbs so that prostheses could be designed to appear as life-like as possible

Arm prosthesis, 1903

Students Make Prosthetic for WristStudents Make Prosthetic for Wrist

Thanks to a team of four engineering Thanks to a team of four engineering freshmen at Northwestern freshmen at Northwestern University's Robert R. McCormick University's Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied School of Engineering and Applied Science, a 57-year-old burn victim is Science, a 57-year-old burn victim is playing tennis again. playing tennis again.


As she recovered from a devastating As she recovered from a devastating house fire and surgery that took most of house fire and surgery that took most of her right hand, Iris Miller's biggest concern her right hand, Iris Miller's biggest concern was whether she would ever get back on was whether she would ever get back on the tennis court. the tennis court.

Last April, two years after the fire, she Last April, two years after the fire, she contacted the McCormick School for contacted the McCormick School for advice. She wound up being the client of a advice. She wound up being the client of a team of four freshmen who were looking team of four freshmen who were looking for a class project. for a class project.


Those students designed and built Those students designed and built for her a custom prosthetic device -- for her a custom prosthetic device -- a specialized wrist strap that allows a specialized wrist strap that allows her to wield a tennis racket and her to wield a tennis racket and again play the game she had so again play the game she had so enjoyed for 20 years. enjoyed for 20 years.


In only 10 weeks time, the students got a In only 10 weeks time, the students got a crash course in prosthetic design from crash course in prosthetic design from Dudley Childress, professor of biomedical Dudley Childress, professor of biomedical engineering and director of Northwestern's engineering and director of Northwestern's Prosthetics Research Laboratory; got to Prosthetics Research Laboratory; got to know the limitations and needs of their know the limitations and needs of their client; came up with a design for a client; came up with a design for a workable device; and built it. Childress workable device; and built it. Childress said it was "remarkable" that the students said it was "remarkable" that the students were able to produce a workable design in were able to produce a workable design in their first try. their first try.


Their design, a Velcro and cloth Their design, a Velcro and cloth brace, allows Miller to strap a racket brace, allows Miller to strap a racket securely to her forearm. securely to her forearm.

They sewed it by hand. The students They sewed it by hand. The students have helped her learn to adjust and have helped her learn to adjust and use the device by playing tennis with use the device by playing tennis with her. her.

Bionic ArmBionic Arm

It works, feels and looks like a real arm.It works, feels and looks like a real arm. "Imagine an artificial arm that moves "Imagine an artificial arm that moves

naturally in response to your thoughts, naturally in response to your thoughts, that allows you to feel both the outside that allows you to feel both the outside world and your own movements, and that world and your own movements, and that is as strong and graceful as an intact, is as strong and graceful as an intact, biological limb,” biological limb,”


It uses a “peripheral nerve interface” – an It uses a “peripheral nerve interface” – an implanted device that would relay nerve implanted device that would relay nerve impulses from nerves in the residual limb impulses from nerves in the residual limb to a small computer worn on a belt and to a small computer worn on a belt and then to the bionic arm. That would allow then to the bionic arm. That would allow a person to move the artificial limb like a a person to move the artificial limb like a real one. real one.


The neural interface device between the The neural interface device between the arm and the person wearing it would be arm and the person wearing it would be implanted in what is left of the amputated implanted in what is left of the amputated arm or shoulder, and would send signals arm or shoulder, and would send signals wirelessly to the artificial arm via the belt-wirelessly to the artificial arm via the belt-pack computer. pack computer.


Current models have limited movements, Current models have limited movements, such as bending the elbow and wrist and such as bending the elbow and wrist and opening and closing the hand, while the opening and closing the hand, while the new arm will be capable of about 20 new arm will be capable of about 20 different movements, including moving different movements, including moving fingers independently.fingers independently.


Existing prosthetic arms typically are controlled Existing prosthetic arms typically are controlled by signals from an intact muscle, such as a by signals from an intact muscle, such as a shoulder shrug, so only one movement can shoulder shrug, so only one movement can occur at a time. occur at a time.

The new arm will take the signals that go to all The new arm will take the signals that go to all the different arm muscles at once, and all the the different arm muscles at once, and all the person has to do is think about natural person has to do is think about natural movement and the arm will respond in a movement and the arm will respond in a natural way. natural way.

This new arm will provide sensory feedback to This new arm will provide sensory feedback to make the arm feel like a person’s own arm. make the arm feel like a person’s own arm.

Robotic Arm Inspired By Elephants

Robot arms are expensive to build and dangerous to operate. If a robot system malfunctions, people can be injured. This is not the case of ISELLA, a bionic robot arm that is kind on the purse and gentle with people. An elephant’s trunk served as inspiration for its design.


It is long, gray, soft and – endowed with no fewer than 40,000 muscles – extremely agile. An elephant uses its trunk to grasp objects and for drinking. With their trunks, the pachyderms can tear down trees and pull heavy loads, and yet are also capable of performing extremely delicate manipulations.

“Its suppleness and agility gave us the idea for a bionic robot arm, ISELLA.”


Robot arms often present a risk to human operators – a technical hitch can provoke wild, uncontrolled movements. Not so ISELLA. Whereas conventional robot arms have only one motor to drive each articulated joint, ISELLA has two, grouped in pairs so that if one motor control should fail, the second takes over to prevent uncontrolled movements. “Unlike pneumatic or hydraulic actuation systems, our robot arm has a simple, low-cost muscle, consisting of a small electric motor with a drive shaft and a cord,”


In the same way as a tendon attaches one muscle to another, the cord links two related moving parts. The drive shaft is attached to the midpoint of the cord. When the shaft turns, the cord wraps around it in both directions, forming a kind of double helix. The researchers have dubbed this DOHELIX. “The shaft is no thicker than the cord, but is strong enough to resist breaking.

This has been achieved using elastic materials with a very high tear strength – the type of material used to manufacture yacht sails and hang gliders. As a result, DOHELIX is much cheaper and more energy-efficient than a system of gears.

Scientists Develop Clever Scientists Develop Clever Artificial HandArtificial Hand

Scientists have developed a new ultra-light limb that Scientists have developed a new ultra-light limb that can mimic the movement in a real hand better than can mimic the movement in a real hand better than any currently available. any currently available. Every year 200 people in the UK lose their hands. Every year 200 people in the UK lose their hands. Common causes include motorbike accidents and Common causes include motorbike accidents and industrial incidents. Currently available prosthetic industrial incidents. Currently available prosthetic hands are either simple mimics that look like a hand hands are either simple mimics that look like a hand but don't move or moving hands which have a simple but don't move or moving hands which have a simple single-motorgrip.single-motorgrip.The human hand has 27 bones and can make a huge The human hand has 27 bones and can make a huge number of complex movements and actions. This number of complex movements and actions. This prosthesis uses 6 sets of motors and gears so that prosthesis uses 6 sets of motors and gears so that each of the five fingers can move independently. This each of the five fingers can move independently. This enables it to make movements and grip objects in enables it to make movements and grip objects in the same way a real human hand does.the same way a real human hand does.


The new hand, called the 'Southampton The new hand, called the 'Southampton Remedi-Hand', can be connected to Remedi-Hand', can be connected to muscles in the arm via a small processing muscles in the arm via a small processing unit and is controlled by small contractions unit and is controlled by small contractions of the muscles which move the wrist. of the muscles which move the wrist. "With this hand you can clutch objects such "With this hand you can clutch objects such as a ball, you can move the thumb out to as a ball, you can move the thumb out to one side and grip objects with the index one side and grip objects with the index finger in the way you do when opening a finger in the way you do when opening a lock with a key, and you can wrap your lock with a key, and you can wrap your fingers around an object in what we call the fingers around an object in what we call the power grip -- like the one you use when you power grip -- like the one you use when you hold a hammer or a microphone."hold a hammer or a microphone."


The human thumb can move in The human thumb can move in special ways the fingers can't. It can special ways the fingers can't. It can rotate as well as flex and also move in rotate as well as flex and also move in a variety of different directions. It can a variety of different directions. It can also oppose (touch) each of the also oppose (touch) each of the fingers in the hand to form a 'pinch'. fingers in the hand to form a 'pinch'. To mimic this, the Remedi-Hand uses To mimic this, the Remedi-Hand uses two motors --one to allow it to rotate two motors --one to allow it to rotate and one to allow it to flex. The real and one to allow it to flex. The real thumb can move in five types of way, thumb can move in five types of way, we've managed to create a thumb we've managed to create a thumb that can mimic at least two of these.that can mimic at least two of these.

"Luke" Artificial Arm"Luke" Artificial Arm

"Luke" Artificial Arm"Luke" Artificial Arm

It's still awaiting formal It's still awaiting formal clinical trials, , but this "Luke" artificial arm has but this "Luke" artificial arm has already gone through its share of already gone through its share of teststests

It can be controlled through a variety It can be controlled through a variety of means including foot pedals, of means including foot pedals, nerves or muscles, and it packs force nerves or muscles, and it packs force feedback to give the wearer an feedback to give the wearer an indication of grip strength. indication of grip strength.

http://spectrum.ieee.org/video?id=221http://spectrum.ieee.org/video?id=221

ARTIFICIAL MUSCLES

Materials called electroactive polymers, nicknamed "artificial muscles," can bend, stretch and contract like biological muscles when an electrical charge is applied to them.

ARTIFICIAL MUSCLES

The technology will combine artificial muscles with prosthetics and allow disabled people to perform physical tasks independently.

Brain Research Makes Move Brain Research Makes Move Toward Better ProsthesesToward Better Prostheses

The simplest movement requires choosing which The simplest movement requires choosing which combination of motor neurons will stimulate combination of motor neurons will stimulate which of thousands of muscle fibers with just the which of thousands of muscle fibers with just the right amount of force and at the proper time.right amount of force and at the proper time.

But no existing computer can analyze the But no existing computer can analyze the superabundance of variables involved in the superabundance of variables involved in the movements of a multijointed limb, such as an arm movements of a multijointed limb, such as an arm picking up a coffee cup. That inability poses a picking up a coffee cup. That inability poses a major obstacle to designing neuroprosthetics for major obstacle to designing neuroprosthetics for amputees or people with motor disabilities. (In amputees or people with motor disabilities. (In neuroprosthetics, a person's brain or spinal cord neuroprosthetics, a person's brain or spinal cord signals operate a device.)signals operate a device.)

New Research to Restore New Research to Restore Amputee Limb Function Amputee Limb Function

Currently, prosthetic knees and ankles can Currently, prosthetic knees and ankles can stop movement but cannot fuel it. New stop movement but cannot fuel it. New joints can create the mechanical force joints can create the mechanical force needed to walk and climb without falls or needed to walk and climb without falls or fatigue.fatigue.

To create proper knee rotation and To create proper knee rotation and propulsion, special fluids are used that propulsion, special fluids are used that solidify into a paste when passed through solidify into a paste when passed through a magnetic field, then reliquify when the a magnetic field, then reliquify when the energy is removed. energy is removed.

Prosthesis Of The Future Prosthesis Of The Future

The device, nicknamed SPARKy, short for The device, nicknamed SPARKy, short for Spring Ankle with Regenerative Kinetics, will be Spring Ankle with Regenerative Kinetics, will be a first-of-its-kind smart, active and energy-a first-of-its-kind smart, active and energy-storing transtibial (below-the-knee) prosthesis.storing transtibial (below-the-knee) prosthesis.

Existing technology in prosthetic devices is Existing technology in prosthetic devices is largely passive and requires the amputee to use largely passive and requires the amputee to use 20 to 30 percent more energy to propel 20 to 30 percent more energy to propel themselves forward when walking compared to themselves forward when walking compared to an able-bodied person.an able-bodied person.

Prosthesis Of The FutureProsthesis Of The Future

"A gait cycle describes the natural motion of walking "A gait cycle describes the natural motion of walking starting with the heel strike of one foot and ending with starting with the heel strike of one foot and ending with the heel strike of the same foot," says Sugar. "The cycle the heel strike of the same foot," says Sugar. "The cycle can be split into two phases -- stance and swing. We are can be split into two phases -- stance and swing. We are concerned with storing energy and releasing energy concerned with storing energy and releasing energy (regenerative kinetics) in the stance phase."(regenerative kinetics) in the stance phase."When you look at the mechanics of walking, it can be When you look at the mechanics of walking, it can be described as catching a series of falls, explains Sugar. In described as catching a series of falls, explains Sugar. In the team's device, a tuned spring brakes falls and stores the team's device, a tuned spring brakes falls and stores energy as the leg rolls over the ankle during the stance energy as the leg rolls over the ankle during the stance phase, similar to the Achilles tendon. phase, similar to the Achilles tendon.

Prosthesis Of The FutureProsthesis Of The Future

"What we hope to create is a robotic tendon that "What we hope to create is a robotic tendon that actively stretches springs when the ankle rolls actively stretches springs when the ankle rolls over the foot, thus allowing the springs to thrust over the foot, thus allowing the springs to thrust or propel the artificial foot forward for the next or propel the artificial foot forward for the next step," said Sugar. "Because energy is stored, a step," said Sugar. "Because energy is stored, a lightweight motor can be used to adjust the lightweight motor can be used to adjust the position of a uniquely tuned spring that provides position of a uniquely tuned spring that provides most of the power required for gait. Thus, less most of the power required for gait. Thus, less energy is required from the individual."energy is required from the individual."

Students Invent Voice Activated Grasping Tool

Using two motors, speech-recognition software and an exo-skeleton inspired by science fiction, three Johns Hopkins University undergraduates have designed and built a muscle enhancement device that will help a disabled man grasp and lift a cup, a book and other household items.

By uttering commands such as "open" and "raise," the man will receive mechanical help in moving his fingers and bending his elbow. The motorized plastic shell will fit over the right arm of the man, who has an extremely rare degenerative muscle disorder.

Students Invent Voice Activated Grasping Tool

This device, which could be adapted for other people with disabilities, was developed during two semesters by students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering's Senior Design Project course.

Monkey Feeds Self Using Only Its Brain

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have demonstrated that a monkey can feed itself with a robotic arm simply by using signals from its brain, an advance that could enhance prosthetics for people, especially those with spinal cord injuries.

Monkey Feeds Self Using Only Its BrainThe robotic arm, or neural prosthesis, is about the size of a child's arm and moves much like a natural arm, with a fully mobile shoulder and elbow and a simple gripper that allows the monkey to grasp and hold food while its own arms are restrained."This is a breakthrough in the development of neural prosthetic devices that will someday lead to devices that could help people who are paralyzed or who have lost limbs.“

http://video.yahoo.com/watch?fr=yvmtf&v=2764000

The robotic arm, or neural prosthesis, is about the size of a child's arm and moves much like a natural arm, with a fully mobile shoulder and elbow and a simple gripper that allows the monkey to grasp and hold food while its own arms are restrained."This is a breakthrough in the development of neural prosthetic devices that will someday lead to devices that could help people who are paralyzed or who have lost limbs.“

http://video.yahoo.com/watch?fr=yvmtf&v=2764000

Thought Controlled ProstheticsThought Controlled Prosthetics• Monkeys were able to move balls around

in 3D space on a computer screen just by thinking about it. With a little practice, they got even better at it.

• "They achieved nearly the same accuracy and speed as normal arm movements."

Thought Controlled ProstheticsThought Controlled Prosthetics

• A quadriplegic wearing a hat dotted with electrodes gained mental control of an arm prosthesis after a series of training sessions in which he learned to regulate his beta-rhythm through biofeedback.

• He learned to move a cursor up or down on a computer screen just by thinking about it. By thinking about moving the cursor up, he opened his hand, and by thinking "down," his hand closed. He demonstrated using the device to pick up and hold objects like a drinking glass and a fork.

Bionic Bone

A new type of prosthesis that stretches and lengthens damaged legs without the need for painful surgery and long periods of rehabilitation, dubbed the "bionic bone“.

It uses an external source of energy to move a spring embedded in soft leg tissue to stretch the limb, thus allowing the affected limb to grow at the same rate as the normal leg.

Turning An Ankle Into A 'Knee' Patient was a five-year-old girl with Ewing's

sarcoma, a cancerous tumor, behind her left knee. Surgeons at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia used a limb-sparing technique called rotationplasty to remove the diseased portion of bone, turn the shortened portion of the leg bone in a half-circle and reattach it, with the ankle joint functioning as a knee.

With a prosthetic attached to the mobile joint, the child, now 13, enjoys gymnastics and cheerleading.

Turning An Ankle Into A 'Knee'

Video of the 13-year-old patient, walking with a normal gait, can be viewed here: http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/351/8/e7

Animals with artificial legs

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