What Are Prosthetics?What Are Prosthetics?

Prosthetics are artificial limbs or body parts, that replace missing or malfunctioning body parts

Most common prosthesis are the leg and arm, and more recently also heart valves

Prosthetic Leg & ArmProsthetic Leg & Arm

The BeginningThe Beginning

Around 1500 B.C. was the time when “prosthetics” were “engineered”

Were not functional

Only purpose was to help with movement

Were generally made of wood

The Push Towards The Push Towards Modern ProstheticsModern Prosthetics

In the mid 1800s, Sir James Syme discovered a way to amputate at the thigh

This meant that there was a possibility of walking again

Both World Wars were key in the developmental progress of prosthetics

Parts used in prosthetics were introduced from various fields

Design BreakthroughsDesign Breakthroughs

In the early 1800s, James Potts designed the first wooden functional prosthetic foot, which was controlled by tendons from the knee to the foot

In the mid 1900s, prosthetics now had a endo-skeletal design instead of a exo-skeletal

This allowed the hard shell-like exterior to be replaced with a foam cover, so the weight and force was applied to the ‘core’ of the prosthetic rather than the exterior

EvolutionEvolution

Basic Prosthetics TodayBasic Prosthetics Today

Cosmetic Prosthetics ($) 1– Generally for upper limb amputation, low to no functionality, made from PVC or silicone

Body-Powered Prosthetics ($$) 2– Generally for upper limb amputation, limited amount of functionality provided by muscles in the relative area

Myoelectric ProsthesisMyoelectric Prosthesis

Are more complex then some of the other prosthesis on the market

Can reach over the head, down by the feet, and out to the sides of the body

Many tests must be conducted to make sure it is suitable

Internal Components: electrodes, battery pack, control unit (processing), motors, and sensors

Myoelectric ProsthesisMyoelectric Prosthesis

Is an externally powered prosthesis that uses electromyography (EMG) signals from voluntarily contracted muscles in the residual limb for movement

Electrode sensors are embedded in the prosthetic’s socket to make contact with the surface of the skin

Things to ConsiderThings to Consider

Functional prosthetics are available, however there is a still room for improvement

There is a high cost for fully functional prosthesis

Human vs. machine – where is the line drawn?

ReferencesReferences

Gutfleisch, O. (2003). Peg Legs and Bionic Limbs: The Development of Lower Extremity Prosthetics. Interdisciplinary Science Reviews, 28(2), 139-148. http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/030801803225010368

Lam, S. (n.d.). Types of Prosthesis. Retrieved March 21, 2013, from Myoelectric Prosthesis website: http://bme240.eng.uci.edu/students/10s/slam5/types.html

Norton, K. M. (2007, November/December). A Brief History of Prosthetics. inMotion, 17(7). Retrieved from http://www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/nov_dec_07/history_prosthetics.html

Peerdeman, B., Boere, D., Witteveen, H., Huis in't Veld, R., Hermens, H., Stramigioli, S., . . . Misra, S. (n.d.). Myoelectric Forearm Prostheses: State of the Art From A User-centered Perspective. Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, 48(6), 719-737. doi:10.1682/JRRD.2010.08.0161

Prosthetics of Future Will Mesh Body, Mind and Machine. (2005, October 26). Retrieved March 21, 2013, from United States Department of Veterans Affairs website: http://www.research.va.gov/news/features/prosthetics.cfm#.UHY8kyKsGCQ

Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosthesis March 23, 2013.

Google Images. http://www.google.com/images March 21, 2013.