Researchers have developed a prosthetic joint that connects directly to the forearm bones of an amputee, allowing them to use a prosthesis with a wrist-like rotary movement. Use of the new joint could dramatically improve the quality of life for amputees.
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Ordinarily, prosthetic legs have ankle joints that are passive, moving only in response to pressure exerted by the user. As a result, walking up stairs or over uneven ground can be difficult. A new "smart" prosthetic ankle, however, adjusts its foot angle according to what the user is doing.
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Researchers have developed an “e-dermis” or electronic skin that could be applied to a prosthetic hand to give the wearer a sense of touch. By using electronic sensors that mimic the nerve endings in the body, the skin can convey both the senses of touch and of pain.
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Although artificial hips allow many people to remain mobile, the things do wear out after a while, often requiring replacement surgeries. The need for such operations may soon become less frequent, however, thanks to research being conducted at the University of Arkansas.
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A hospital in Jordan is trialing the use of 3D-printed prosthetic limbs to treat refugees injured in the ongoing conflict in Syria. The technology allows an artificial limb to be designed and built within 24 hours, and at a fraction of the cost of conventional prostheses.
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Scientists at the MARCS Institute at Western Sydney University have tested a non-invasive artificial larynx and found it capable of generating a high-quality voice.
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Musician Jason Barnes had part of his arm amputated in 2012, but with the help of a team led by prosthetics researcher GIl Weinberg he has found new ways to keep honing his craft, the latest example being a prosthetic arm that enables fine control over the keys of a piano.
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Youbionic started taking pre-orders for its 3D-printed robotic hand early last year. The company recently launched a new version, but hasn't stopped there. Looking to a near future where robotic enhancements make for improved humans, a two-handed prosthetic has been developed and gone up for sale.
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With the whole body pressing down on the point of contact, prosthetic legs can be painful, awkward and cause infections. Now scientists from ONR have developed a more comfortable “smart” prosthetic that can be attached at will, and monitored for infection and stress with an array of sensors.
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To make prosthetics feel more natural, researchers at MIT are working on a new surgical technique that uses existing nerves and muscle grafts that creates a better sense of where a limb is in space and how much force is put on it.
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