Articles tagged with Prosthetics
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a tiny sensor that responds to touch in a similar way to our sensory cells. The sensor, made from a soft, silicone-like material, can convert touch into an electric potential and potentially stimulate nerves directly, allowing for prosthetic limbs with a sense of touch.
A team of researchers has developed nanoparticles that can activate nerve cells in degenerated retinas, potentially leading to a new type of retinal prosthesis. The nanoparticles, made from graphitic carbon nitride, trigger electrical and chemical processes that activate nerve cells and prompt signals towards the brain.
A prosthetic scientist has developed technology to enhance the patient-prosthetist relationship and improve socket fit for individuals with limb loss. The technology uses sensors to quantify true socket fit in real time, replacing guesswork with data.
A new brain-computer interface (BCI) allows people with vocal tract and bodily paralysis to convey both speech and upper-body gestures simultaneously. The BCI successfully translated the thoughts of patients into commands that dictated the expressions of a full-body virtual avatar.
The system uses a 'reward/expectation' signal derived from the motor cortex to provide timely and precise control of prosthetic devices. It can adjust its policy based on evaluation signals, allowing for more natural control and improved outcomes.
A research team created an ultrathin artificial lung that reproduces the movement of alveoli, air sacs inside the lung, and demonstrates the response to influenza virus. The lung operated stably through 240,000 breaths and showed promise for studying lung disease and drug responses.
Researchers developed a wearable solution to optimize prosthetic fit and comfort, using embroidered textiles with sensing capabilities. The system detects normal and shear forces at the limb-socket interface in real-time, providing close-loop feedback for pressure levels.
Researchers have demonstrated the potential of artificial intelligence to make future visual prostheses, like a bionic eye, more precise and predictable. By training a deep neural network to predict patterns of brain activity produced by different electrical stimulation settings, the AI-designed patterns reproduced targeted brain activ...
Meablex's innovative prosthetic arm addresses challenges of traditional devices, including adjustable sockets and reliable control systems. The company's technology combines lightweight soft robotic materials and advanced 3D-printing to improve the quality of life for people with upper limb loss.
JMIR Publications is sponsoring the upcoming BioMedEng26 conference to promote biomedical engineering innovation. The journal JMIR Biomedical Engineering will be highlighted during the event, with Dr. Javad Sarvestan discussing its focus on cutting-edge engineering applications and peer-review process.
Researchers create custom-fit prosthetic hands with soft magnetic sensors that capture subtle changes in muscle shape and pressure. The system performs consistently and reliably, translating intent into control of a dexterous robotic hand with up to 90% accuracy.
Researchers have discovered that advanced brain interfacing technology used for both touch and vision prostheses is almost identical, despite being developed separately. This breakthrough could lead to faster restoration of lost senses, including sight and motor function, with a unified technology that benefits both patient groups.
A brain-computer interface (BCI) system has been developed at the University of California - Davis Health, allowing a person with severe paralysis caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to communicate, work, and interact with the digital world without assistance. The BCI system has been tested in a 47-year-old man with ALS, who ...
Researchers developed a simple color feedback approach that improves motor control and persistence in individuals using prosthetic devices or recovering from stroke. The method, which provides real-time reinforcement, shows promise for making human-machine interface training faster and more effective.
Scientists at Linköping University have developed artificial heart muscle cells using organic electronics, opening up new possibilities for prosthetics, heart implants, and sensors. The technology aims to harness the principles of effective electrical signaling in biological cardiac muscle cells.
A robotic hand developed at USC can hear a melody once and play it back after just two minutes of self-taught practice on a keyboard. The system, called the Musician Hand, mimics the way the brain and body coordinate fine motor skills through trial and error, offering a new model for machines — and medicine — to approach complex moveme...
3D printed anatomical models are being used to improve surgical outcomes in complex and delicate structures. Medical 3D printing technologies also create highly personalized implants and prostheses, supporting better surgical outcomes and post-operative results.
Researchers found that print angles between 150° to 180° and 50-μm layer thickness performed best for crown accuracy and fit. Printing deviations were not evenly distributed across the inner surface of crowns.
Researchers have developed new standards for exporting prosthetic feet to the Global South, improving their quality and reducing unusable donations from 16% to 5%. The proposed regulations aim to create an ethical framework for a global circular economy of prosthetics.
Researchers at Saarland University are developing smart implants that can continuously monitor and visualize the healing process of fractures. These customized implants can dynamically adapt to the healing process by becoming stiffer or more compliant as required, promoting bone regeneration through micromechanical stimulation.
A new clinical trial at the University of Cincinnati is testing a peptide solution to treat prosthetic joint infections after total knee replacement. The trial aims to reduce the need for repeat surgeries and expand the treatment window beyond two weeks.
Researchers identify three types of post-amputation pain: phantom limb pain, residual limb pain, and musculoskeletal pain, which behave differently and require personalized care. The study's findings suggest that prosthetic design can directly influence comfort during real-world movement, improving mobility and quality of life for indi...
Researchers studied participants' ambulatory body image while learning to walk with a robotic leg. They found that participants initially underestimated and later overestimated their walking quality before incorporating the device into their body image.
Researchers found that participants initially overestimated the awkwardness of their gait but improved as they practiced using the prosthetic device. Despite significant performance gains, participants remained inaccurate in assessing their own body movement, focusing on torso position rather than prosthetic behavior.
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.
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.
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 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.