BREAKTHROUGHS IN PROSTHESIS
Prosthetic limbs have changed greatly over time. There have been major breakthroughs in the world of prosthetic limbs. People were using false limbs long ago. They started out simple, made with different types of wood. As time goes on, we are able to invent bigger and better things. A recent breakthrough has showed that it may be possible to fuse nerves to false limbs. The limbs would be able to work like a normal body part. Here are some other advances and breakthroughs.
- In the early part of the 16th century, French military doctor Ambroise Paré, also famous for his work with amputation techniques, contributed some of the first major advances in prosthetics seen for many years. Paré invented a hinged mechanical hand as well as prosthetic legs that featured advances such as locking knees and specialized attachment harnesses.
- Around 1690, a Dutch surgeon, Pieter Verduyn, later developed the lower leg prosthesis with specialized hinges and a leather cuff for improved attachment to the body. Amazingly, many of the advances contributed by these two doctors are still common features of modern day prosthetic devices.
- With the advent of gaseous anesthesia in the 1840s, doctors could perform longer, more advanced amputation surgeries, allowing them to operate on the limb stump in a way that would make it more compatible with the prosthesis. Advances in sterile, germ free surgeries also improved the success rate of amputation procedures, increasing the need for prosthetic limbs.
- In 1812, a prosthetic arm was developed that could be controlled by the opposite shoulder with connecting straps -- somewhat similar to how brakes are controlled on a bike.
- The National Academy of Sciences, an American governmental agency, established the Artificial Limb Program in 1945. The program was created in response to the influx of World War II veteran amputees and for the purpose of advancing scientific progress in artificial limb development. Since this time, advances in areas such as materials, computer design methods and surgical techniques have helped prosthetic limbs to become increasingly lifelike and functional.
- A cosmetic prosthetic limb is a limb that was designed for appearance, though not control has developed a new type of fake skin that can match the patient's hair, freckles and even fingerprints, making the difference nearly unnoticeable.
- A Japanese university has invented a robot suit that may one day make wheelchairs obsolete. The electronic exoskeleton is equipped with bio-electric sensors attached to the skin which monitor signals from the brain. At this point in development it is made to help people with limited muscle strength and ability to move, but in time, it may be possible for them to create suits that help people who have been paralyzed.