Articles tagged with Prosthetics
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A team of researchers has created an object identification system for prosthetic hands to guide appropriate grip strength decisions in real time. The system uses a camera and EMG sensor to determine the user's intent and predict the required grip strength, enabling users to focus on daily tasks without complex training or calibration.
Philip R. Troyk, director of the Pritzker Institute of Biomedical Science and Engineering at Illinois Tech, has been elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors for his groundbreaking work on neuroprosthetic devices, including an implanted cortical visual prosthesis that provides artificial vision to individuals with profo...
Scientists developed a wireless device that uses light to send information directly to the brain, bypassing natural sensory pathways. The soft device delivers precise patterns of light through the bone to activate neurons across the cortex, allowing mice to learn and interpret meaningful signals.
A new algorithm developed by researchers at North Carolina State University can optimize the movement of robotic prosthetic devices and help users exhibit a more natural walking pattern. The algorithm improves hip range of motion and reduces lower back pain for all five study participants.
The University of Houston is designing robotic hands with dexterity for industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing. The team, part of the NSF Convergence Accelerator program, has received $5 million in funding to develop hybrid polymeric materials that can mechanically retract and perform motions like flexion.
A study reveals that collared fully HA-coated femoral stems reduce the risk of early postoperative femoral fractures in total hip replacement patients, but also increase intraoperative complications. The findings suggest these stems may be a safer choice for surgeons when deciding on implant selection.
A pioneering eye device has restored reading vision to people with sight loss, allowing them to read letters, numbers, and words through a prosthetic eye. The PRIMA chip operation involves an implant paired with augmented-reality glasses, enabling patients to regain their independence and confidence.
A wireless retinal implant has been shown to restore central vision in patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with 81% of participants achieving clinically meaningful improvements in visual acuity. The device converted light into electrical signals, stimulating remaining retinal cells and restoring visual inform...
The PRIMA device partially restored vision to 27 out of 32 participants in a clinical trial, allowing them to read with acuity equivalent to 20/42 vision. The device works by projecting images onto the retina via infrared light and converting them into electrical stimulation, enabling form vision.
The robotic exoskeleton TWIN has been awarded the Compasso d’Oro International Award for its innovative design and ability to adapt to different user needs. Developed by Rehab Technologies IIT – INAIL and ddpstudio, TWIN provides energy assistance to individuals with limited mobility, enabling them to stand, walk, and sit down.
Researchers at Seoul National University of Science and Technology developed a microelectrode with three-dimensional carbon nanotubes that efficiently conduct electricity while being soft like tissue. The arrays demonstrated stable insertion in brain tissues, precise recording of visual responses, and reduced inflammatory responses.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a wearable noninvasive brain-computer interface system that utilizes AI to interpret user intent, allowing participants to complete tasks significantly faster with assistance. The system demonstrates promising results for technology to assist individuals with limited physical capabilities.
Researchers have developed a data-driven way to fit prosthetic legs that could lead to better fitting prosthetics in less time and at a lower cost. The new technology generates basic design recommendations instantly and has been shown to be as comfortable on average as those created by highly skilled prosthetists.
A UCLA team has uncovered new details about the muscle controlling blinking, offering a pathway toward developing blink-assisting prostheses. The orbicularis oculi muscle contracts in complex patterns that vary by action and move the eyelid in more than just a simple up-and-down motion.
In a small clinical study, users of this prosthesis navigated more easily and said the limb felt more like part of their body. The new system is directly integrated with the user’s muscle and bone tissue, enabling greater stability and control.
Researchers at University of Liège developed a safer, more environmentally friendly polymer called PHOx, which outperforms traditional polyurethane in critical medical applications. PHOx reduces blood clotting risks, inhibits bacterial adhesion, and is biocompatible, making it suitable for custom-made implants.
A new retinal prosthesis made of nanowires partially restored vision in genetically blind mice and improved their performance on pattern recognition tests. The prosthesis also detected near-infrared light in macaques, providing better color contrast and aiding in dark conditions.
The COLD-TUG test measures the time required for prosthetic donning and mobility in lower-limb amputation patients. Researchers found that patients with bone-anchored prostheses can don their prosthesis significantly faster, saving up to 61 seconds per session.
Scientists develop brain-computer interface that allows users to design distinct tactile experiences for different objects, enabling them to guess the object by sensation alone. The study represents an important step towards creating a neuroprosthetic that feels pleasant and intuitive to use.
Researchers at the University of Houston create ceramic materials with origami-inspired shapes and a soft polymer coating, allowing them to bend under pressure without breaking. The resulting structures have improved toughness and can be used in medical prosthetics, aerospace, and robotics.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a 'metabot' material that can expand, assume new shapes, move, and respond to electromagnetic commands. The metamaterial's complex behavior is enabled by chirality, allowing it to defy typical physical object rules.
The Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies' 15th annual Undergraduate Design Competition showcased affordable and practical solutions to improve healthcare in low-resource settings. Teams presented lifesaving innovations, including a neonatal jaundice treatment system and low-cost prosthetics.
A new material called Roliner enables amputees to change the shape, volume, and stiffness of their prosthetic limbs' liners in real-time using their smartphone. This technology promises to revolutionize the fit of prosthetic limbs, transforming the lives of millions of amputees worldwide.
Researchers from USTC create lightweight prosthetic hand with 19 degrees of freedom, mimicking human hand functions and movement. The hand boasts human-level dexterity, enabling daily tasks like combing hair, writing, and playing chess.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a skin-like material that can mimic human skin textures and elasticity, simulating conditions for bacterial growth. The Ecoflex-based skin replicas can be used to test wearable sensors and improve catheter designs, potentially reducing the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections.
IIT's Omnia prosthetic won the 'Leg Prosthesis' category at Cybathlon 2024, showcasing a novel lower limb prosthetic prototype designed for individuals with transfemoral amputations. The system features a knee and ankle that exchange information to adjust parameters for optimal performance.
A new study from Chalmers University of Technology presents a technology that can destroy bacteria on implants using gold nanorods and near-infrared light. The method heats up the gold rods, killing bacteria without damaging surrounding tissue.
Twelve healthcare innovators have been shortlisted for the Global Healthcare Innovation Competition, with seven candidates selected for the 'Young Innovators' category. The competition aims to nurture transformative health solutions, providing a platform for innovators to develop and scale their ideas.
A research team has created a magnetically controlled prosthetic hand allowing users to replicate movements by thinking and apply force when grasping objects. The system involves implanting small magnets into the muscles of the forearm, enabling everyday activities like opening jars and picking up coins.
A new AI algorithm, DPAD, developed by Maryam Shanechi's lab, can dissociate brain patterns related to specific behaviors, improving brain-computer interfaces for paralyzed patients. The algorithm can also discover new patterns in the brain that may be missed by prior methods.
Researchers identified 25 ferroptosis-related genes in keloids, including ALOX12 and CYP4F8, which show reduced activity. Understanding how specific miRNAs regulate ferroptosis may lead to new therapies that target these molecules to control keloid growth.
A new textured heart valve implant has been shown to be less likely to cause clotting, improving health outcomes for patients who receive the implant. Certain conditions such as cancer and smoking elevate the risk of blood clots after heart surgery.
Researchers developed a flexible-yet-sturdy morphing structure inspired by the starfish skeleton with 4D morphing features. The structure exhibits self-locking, continuous bending, self-healing, and shape memory features, making it suitable for industry applications in robotics, aviation, and biomedical devices.
Researchers tested a robotic extra thumb on diverse participants and found that most could learn to use it quickly. The study highlights the need for inclusive testing to ensure new technologies work for everyone, particularly marginalized communities.
A study published in Chinese Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery outlines an accurate classification system and treatment algorithm for nasal alar defects in Asians. The authors describe a systematic approach to evaluating the severity of deformity and selecting appropriate surgical procedures based on defect size and type.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge developed flexible electronic devices that wrap around the spinal cord, recording nerve signals and stimulating limb movement. The devices could lead to treatments for spinal injuries without brain surgery, improving safety for patients.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a universal approach to controlling robotic exoskeletons that requires no training, calibration, or adjustments. The system uses deep learning to autonomously adjust assistance levels for walking, standing, and climbing stairs, reducing user effort and metabolic expenditure.
Researchers at RMIT University created a 50% stronger titanium lattice cube than the strongest alloy of similar density used in aerospace applications. The material's unique lattice structure design distributes stress evenly, making it suitable for medical devices, aircraft, and rocket parts.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that upper limb exercise testing underestimated cardiopulmonary function, indicating it cannot substitute cycle ergometers. Researchers call for further research to clarify factors affecting the relationship between heart rate and oxygen uptake during exercise.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed a robotic sensor that reads Braille at twice the speed of humans, achieving 87% accuracy. The breakthrough uses machine learning algorithms to 'deblur' images and recognize letters, paving the way for potential applications in robotics and prosthetics.
A University of Michigan project aims to create a smoother experience for robotic prosthetic leg users, with renewed support from the National Institutes of Health. The team has developed a continuous modeling framework that mimics biomechanical impedance, enabling the leg to move seamlessly between different activities.
Researchers have developed a spinal cord stimulation technology that restores sensation, improves function, and reduces phantom limb pain after trans-tibial amputation. The study showed significant improvements in balance control and gait stability, with an average 70% reduction in phantom limb pain.
A new technology enables the printing of complex robots with soft, elastic, and rigid materials in one go. This allows for the creation of delicate structures and parts with cavities as desired.
Researchers at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus have discovered that rats can think about places and objects not in front of them, generating specific neural activity patterns in the hippocampus. This ability is fundamental to remembering past events and imagining future scenarios, indicating that animals possess a form of imagination.
Researchers developed robotic prosthetic ankles controlled by nerve impulses, allowing amputees to move more naturally and improving stability. The study found that users were significantly more stable when using the robotic prototype, changing their postural control strategy and mimicking the body's behavior.
Researchers discovered that titanium micro-spikes with rough surfaces can effectively kill drug-resistant fungus and Candida species through apoptosis. The findings suggest that these surface features may be a promising approach to combatting superbug resistance.
Researchers have developed a new manufacturing pipeline to simplify and advance high-value manufacturing of tissue-compatible organs, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. This breakthrough aims to address the dire need for artificially engineered organs and tissue grafts, potentially saving thousands of lives in the UK.
Researchers discovered that lipid deposition on medical implant surfaces can signal to the immune system whether to attack or ignore the implant. This knowledge could help develop biomaterials that deflect host immune aggression, reducing malfunction rates for devices like pacemakers and surgical mesh.
A new policy brief has been launched by Staffordshire University to guide the creation of national telehealth patient consultation guidelines and training. The framework, developed in partnership with Allied Health Professions (AHPs), aims to improve the delivery of remote patient consultations across various healthcare professions.
Researchers developed an injectable hydrogel that inhibits common bacteria and promotes tissue regrowth, treating infections around prosthetics. The gel has a porous structure, excellent injectability, and rapid self-healing properties.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a soft and flexible electronic 'e-skin' that can detect minute temperature differences between inhalation and exhalation, as well as touch and body motion. The material's island-bridge atomic structure provides an inherent softness and flexibility ideal for on-skin applications.
A physicist at TU Graz has developed a three-in-one hybrid material that reacts to force, moisture and temperature with high spatial resolution. The smart skin has potential applications in robotics, smart prosthetics and healthcare, and its production can be easily scaled and implemented.
A study published in Stroke journal found robot therapy to be as effective as traditional therapy in improving motor function and daily tasks for chronic stroke patients. The robotic device provided repetitive exercises and real-time analysis, leading to significant improvements in shoulder, elbow, and forearm use.
Researchers at the University of Bristol created a 3D-printed artificial fingertip that produces nerve signals similar to those from human tactile nerves. The innovation could improve robot dexterity and prosthetic hand performance by giving them an in-built sense of touch.
Researchers have developed an ultrasonic retinal prosthesis that can stimulate the blind retina to transmit signals to the brain, providing a promising solution for vision restoration. The device uses ultrasound waves to activate small groups of neurons in the eye, similar to how light signals activate a normal eye.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet studied long-term outcomes of bioprosthetic aortic valves implanted between 2003 and 2018. They found significant differences in performance depending on valve model, with Perimount having the lowest risk of replacement and mortality among patients
A new HMI system, Robotic VR, allows users to teleoperate robots with precision and feel, enabling complicated tasks such as Covid-19 swab tests and patient care. The system provides immersive feedback via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and the internet.
Researchers at Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena investigated how people with cochlear implants perceive vocal emotions. They found that the group with cochlear implants showed lower scores overall in recognizing emotional nuances, but some individuals could effectively utilize timbre to distinguish between fearful and angry voices.
A study by Osaka City University found that the Kihon Checklist is a useful tool in assessing frailty in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The checklist, originally developed for Japan's long-term care insurance system, correlated with clinical scores to identify patients at high risk of mortality.
A recent study published in PNAS reveals that humans can instantly estimate slipperiness of a surface by detecting radial strain in the fingertip skin during initial contact. This innovation has significant implications for robotics and prosthetics design.