Prosthetics 'n aesthetics

If you are a user of any prosthetic device or know someone who is, you know that said device is often wonderful in its' utilitarian function but woefully lacking in anything that could be described as an aesthetically pleasing prosthetic.   This was made evident to Evan Kuester a university student who at best would describe his studies as boring.  The only redeeming feature was his access to fascinating tools one of which was an excellent 3d printer.  

 Evan had noticed  fellow student Ivania Castilloon had no left hand.  Evan then set to convince Ivania that he could produce a functional prosthetic but one that could be pleasing to the eye as well. 

After many pictures, measurements and prototypes Evan and Ivania settled on a prosthetic constructed of a single print, with ABS.  Evan hopes that his next prototype will be able to better integrate functionality with aesthetics ( his first outing leaned towards usability but was heavy and bulky, his second was lighter but frail).   There is no doubt that looks are addressed in this version.  It is wonderful to look at. 

Check out the complete article on Make HERE   

A Truly Bionic Leg!

After a motorcycle accident that left Zac Vawter minus a leg, he will be able to walk with a normal gait and climb stairs in a truly normal manner thanks to revolutionary new hardware and software advances. A veritable "Bionic" limb. The video gives you a bit of an idea on how the prosthetic limb operates. Plenty more information on the Topless Robot site HERE

Skywalker Hand Real!

Wow, on a prosthetic kick here I guess, but even so, this is damn cool.  Remember that scene after Vader lops off Luke's hand?  He is laying there wiggling his fingers and then the tech closes it up?  Well check out this video of the Bebionic3 is a myoelectric prosthetic hand.  This device is damn close!

From the Dvice blog article:
The hand (has) the ability to write with pen, delicately hold glasses and bottles, and even crack eggs.

Featuring a range of 14 hand positions and grips...  You can see patient Nigel Ackland using the Bebionic3 prosthetic hand in the video below.


Dvice article here

Man With Bionic Leg Climbs into History

Zac Vawter along with what is being called the world's first neural-controlled bionic leg, completed a goal for himself of climbing the 103 floors of Willis Tower in Chicago.

Vawter has only to thinking about moving his leg and sensors and motors take over the task of moving the bionic right limb.  Though this approach has been used previously in hand and arm applications but this is the first time it has been implemented in a leg.

From the WPTV.com website:

• (the climb was part of the) fourth annual SkyRise Chicago fundraiser was the first public test of the technology.  

Zac successfully made the 103 floor climb of  the Willis tower (formally called the Sears Tower) of Chicago in 53 minutes, 9 seconds. 

Vawter has been with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago for a little over a year in hopes of replacing a leg he lost three years ago in a motorcycle accident. 

WPTV story page here
 

Predictive Bionics

Here is an interesting video I found on Kim Komando's page - Concerning boinic limb prosthetics.

Until now, prosthetics have been either passive or manually controlled by the wearer. Vanderbilt researchers created a bionic limb that can predict the wearer's movement. It makes the motion much more natural.

Check out the very natural movements possible, in this YouTube video

Here is a new lower-limb prosthetic that allows amputees to walk without the leg-dragging gait characteristic of conventional artificial legs.

Is Bionics a Real Option for the Handicapped?

Well according to this film I found on Boing Boing blog, not only is it an honest option but a likelihood in the very near future. In the past we have seen experiment on activating a paraplegic's own muscles to regain function. However that approach has proved very problematic especially older injuries or paralysis from diseases like Polio which atrophies the muscles beyond the point where they can be utilized. From systems developed for the military to give some level of function to injured Vets to other system that allow troops to travel faster and longer carrying much greater loads comes external systems and prosthesis that will soon allow far more range and flexibility that any other system up to this point.

Segway's (not surprising, the Segway itself was an outgrowth of Kamen's work on a self balancing wheelchair that could climb stairs) inventor Dean Kamen has long championed bionics and other devices to aid the handicapped, talks in this film about some of the exciting breakthroughs that have taken place in only a few years.



Of course it took only 2 minutes before the Six Million Dollar Man was mentioned - so quite a lot of work has to be done as well in the public's perception of the capabilities, among others.