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WORLD'S FIRST ROBOTIC ANKLE IS DEVELOPED FOR
IRAQ WAR VETERANS -- It's an important advance
for
lower-limb amputees that was developed by a
team
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
For more on prosthetic devices, use the VA
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.php?q=prosthetic+prosthetics&op=or
Story here...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/
live/articles/technology/technology.html?in
_article_id=470340&in_page_id=1965
Story below:
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World's first robotic ankle is developed for
Iraq war veterans
An Army veteran who lost part of his leg in Iraq walked with more spring
in his step as he unveiled the world's first robotic ankle - an
important advance for lower-limb amputees that was developed by a team
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Garth Stewart, 24, who lost his left leg below the knee in an explosion
in Iraq, walked in the device, which propels users forward using
tendon-like springs and an electric motor.
The prototype device reduces fatigue, improves balance and provides
amputees with a more fluid gait. It could become commercially available
as early as the summer of 2008.
The ankle-foot was developed at the MIT Media Lab by Professor Hugh Herr
and his team of researchers.
Herr is also a double amputee who tested his invention: "This design
releases three times the power of a conventional prosthesis to propel
you forward and, for the first time, provides amputees with a truly
humanlike gait."
"It's wild," he said, "like you're on one of those moving walkways in
the airport."
Because conventional prostheses only provide a passive spring response
during walking, they force the amputee to have an unnatural gait and
typically to expend some 30 percent more energy on walking than a
non-amputee.
The new ankle is light, flexible, and -- most importantly -- generates
energy for walking beyond that which can be released from a spring
alone.
This is accomplished through a device equipped with multiple springs and
a small battery-powered motor. The energy produced from the forward
motion of the person wearing the prosthesis is stored in the
power-assisted spring, and then released as the foot pushes off.
Additional mechanical energy is also added to help momentum.
Joel Kupersmith, M.D., chief research and development officer for a
rehabilitation research building that will in the campus of the
Providence VA Medical Center, said a top priority for the department is
providing state-of-the-art prosthetic care for veterans - especially
those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The robotic ankle is a sterling example of how our leading-edge
research improves veterans' lives," Kupersmith said.
"Up to now, prosthetic devices have not been able to duplicate the
complex functions of our feet and ankles as we walk and run.
"The ingenious computerised design of this new prosthesis changes all of
this, as it constantly 'thinks' and responds, allowing the person to
walk or run in a more natural and comfortable way."
Looking longer term, Herr is working with Brown's Aaron to determine if
an implant could be used to mechanically attach the artificial limb
directly to the amputee's residual limb bone.
This would mean that loads could be transmitted directly to the bone
structure of the amputee, eliminating the discomfort now experienced
with conventional prostheses.
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Larry Scott --
